Maharashtra Budget 2025: ₹36,000 crore allocated for Ladki Bahin scheme; Check eligibility, how to apply

The Maharashtra government has allocated ₹36,000 crore for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in the state Budget 2025, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced in the legislative assembly on Monday.

However, Pawar made no mention of the promised hike in the monthly allowance from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100, a key electoral commitment of the ruling Mahayuti coalition. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde recently said that plans were underway to implement the increased monthly assistance of Rs 2,100.

The scheme, which provides financial assistance to eligible women, was a major factor in the coalition’s electoral success in the assembly elections last year.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later said that the poll promise will be fulfilled after the fiscal balance is achieved, but it will not be done from April.

The opposition has been questioning the financial viability of the scheme, citing Maharashtra’s rising fiscal deficit, which has now crossed ₹2 lakh crore.

“The election manifesto is for five years. We will not change what the government has promised. All schemes must continue. Development and infrastructure, committed expenditure should also go on and the government is working towards it,” Shinde said.

The pre-Budget Economic Survey tabled in the assembly mentioned that ₹17,505.90 crore had been transferred into the bank accounts of 2.38 crore women beneficiaries of the scheme till December 2024.

Ladki Bahin Yojana: Eligibility and application process

• The applicant must be a resident of Maharashtra.
• Eligible women include married, divorced, widowed, abandoned, destitute, or one unmarried woman per family.
• Age limit: 21 to 65 years.
• Annual family income should not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh.
• Applicants must have a bank account linked with Aadhaar.

Women whose family members are income taxpayers, regular government employees, MPs, MLAs, or owners of four-wheelers (except tractors) are ineligible.

1. Visit the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana website.
2. Click on ‘Applicant Login’ and create an account.
3. Fill out the application form and submit the required documents.
4. Submit the form online or collect a physical form from designated centres, including Anganwadi Sevikas, Gram Sevaks, and Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendras.

• Aadhaar-linked bank account details
• Domicile proof (ration card, voter ID, birth certificate, etc.)
• Income certificate for white ration card holders
• Marriage certificate (for newlywed women)