Maharashtra Government Revises Beneficiary List After Verification Drive; Women Can Verify Their Eligibility Online

The Maharashtra Government has significantly revised the beneficiary list under the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, removing more than 9.2 million (92 lakh) names following an extensive verification process. The update has raised concerns among beneficiaries who receive monthly financial assistance under the scheme and are now wondering whether their names are still included.

Officials have clarified that the large-scale revision is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that only eligible applicants continue receiving benefits. Women enrolled in the scheme are advised to verify their application status online to avoid any uncertainty regarding future payments.

Why Were So Many Names Removed?

The removal of beneficiaries follows a comprehensive verification exercise conducted by the state government.

Initially, the scheme had approximately 24 million (2.4 crore) registered beneficiaries. Following the latest scrutiny, nearly 38% of the names have reportedly been removed from the list.

According to government officials, the verification process is still underway, and the final number of eligible beneficiaries will be confirmed after all pending reviews and appeals are completed.

Authorities have also stated that complaints from applicants who believe their names were removed incorrectly are being examined.

Monthly Financial Assistance Under the Scheme

The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched to provide financial support to eligible women across Maharashtra.

Under the scheme:

• Eligible women receive ₹1,500 every month.
• Annual financial assistance totals ₹18,000.
• Payments are transferred directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

The initiative aims to improve financial security and support women's economic independence.

Reasons Behind the Removal of Beneficiaries

Government officials have clarified that the removal of names is not limited to incomplete eKYC verification.

Several eligibility-related factors were considered during the verification process.

1. eKYC Not Completed

Around 5 to 5.5 million women reportedly failed to complete the mandatory eKYC process despite receiving sufficient time to do so.

Applications without completed verification were either placed on hold or removed.

2. Income Eligibility

Approximately 1.2 million beneficiaries were reportedly found to be income tax payers or belonged to households with annual incomes exceeding the scheme's prescribed eligibility limit of ₹2.5 lakh.

3. Age Criteria

More than 450,000 women were removed because they exceeded the scheme's maximum eligible age limit of 65 years.

4. Ineligible Applicants

Officials also identified around 14,000 male applicants who had allegedly applied under the scheme despite not being eligible.

These applications were removed during scrutiny.

5. Duplicate Government Benefits

Around 500,000 women were reportedly already receiving benefits under the Namo Shetkari Scheme, making them ineligible under the eligibility guidelines applied during the verification process.

CAG Raises Concerns Over Financial Burden

The development comes shortly after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) expressed concerns regarding the financial implications of the scheme.

According to the audit observations, expenditure under the program has increased substantially, raising questions about its long-term fiscal sustainability.

The report noted that spending on women's welfare in Maharashtra increased sharply—from approximately ₹261.78 crore in FY 2023-24 to ₹33,554.36 crore in FY 2024-25, with a significant portion linked to the implementation of the Ladki Bahin Yojana.

How to Check Your Application Status Online

Women enrolled under the scheme can verify their application status by following these steps:

Through the Official Website

1. Visit the official Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana portal.
2. Click on Applicant Login.
3. Enter your registered mobile number, password, and captcha.
4. Log in to your dashboard.
5. Open the Application Status section.
6. Search using your registered mobile number or application details.
7. Your application status will appear as:
   • Approved
   • Pending
   • Rejected

How to Check Using the Nari Shakti Doot App

Applicants can also verify their eligibility through the official mobile application.

Steps include:

1. Download the Nari Shakti Doot app from the Google Play Store.
2. Log in using your registered mobile number and OTP.
3. Open the Beneficiary Applicant List section.
4. Select your:
   • District
   • Taluka
   • Block
   • Village or Ward
5. Tap Search to view the updated beneficiary list.

If your name appears in the approved list, you will continue receiving benefits under the scheme.

What Beneficiaries Should Do Next

Women whose names no longer appear in the beneficiary list should first verify their application status through the official portal or mobile application. If they believe their application was rejected due to an error, they should follow the grievance or appeal process prescribed by the authorities and keep all required documents ready for verification.

Applicants are advised to rely only on official government platforms for updates and avoid misinformation circulating on social media regarding beneficiary lists or payment status.