Ministry of Women and Child Development announces New Helpline Number for POSHAN and PMMVY

In News

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) has announced a new toll-free helpline number — 1515 — for POSHAN Abhiyaan and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). The new number will be operational from 1st November 2025, replacing the existing helpline 14408.

Analysis

Purpose of the Change
- The shift from 14408 to 1515 aims to make the helpline simpler, easier to recall, and more accessible to beneficiaries across the country.
- It ensures a unified and efficient communication channel for grievance redressal, guidance, and information related to maternal and child nutrition schemes.
Transition and Continuity
- The Ministry has noted that during the integration phase, some users may experience temporary connection issues.
- Until the new system stabilizes, callers can continue using the old number (14408).
- The Ministry emphasized uninterrupted support to beneficiaries during this transition.
Function of the Helpline
- Serves as a single-point contactfor citizens to seek assistance regarding:
  - POSHAN Abhiyaan: India’s flagship nutrition mission.
  - PMMVY: Cash incentive scheme for pregnant and lactating women.
- Provides information, resolves queries, and facilitates feedback and grievance management.
Significance
- Strengthens the digital governance ecosystem under the MoWCD.
- Enhances citizen interface and accessibility for women and children, especially in rural and remote areas.
- Reflects the government’s broader initiative to make public service numbers short, standardized, and citizen-friendly.

Static / Background Information

Scheme	POSHAN Abhiyaan	PMMVY
Full Form	Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition	Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
Launch Year	2018	2017
Nodal Ministry	Ministry of Women and Child Development	Ministry of Women and Child Development
Objective	To improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers through convergence, technology, and behavioral change.	To provide cash incentives of ₹5,000 for the first live birth to ensure partial wage compensation and encourage institutional delivery.
Key Components	- ICDS-CAS (Real-time monitoring) - Jan Andolan (community engagement) - Growth monitoring through Anganwadi Centres	- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to beneficiaries’ bank accounts - Linked with Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
Target Group	Children (0–6 years), Adolescent Girls, Pregnant & Lactating Women	Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (for first child)

Updated - 24 OCT 2025 5:29 PM | PIB