The Maharashtra government allocated Rs36,000 crore for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana as part of its Rs7 lakh crore budget for the financial year 2025-26. However, the budget did not mention the promised increase in the monthly allowance from Rs1,500 to Rs2,100, which was made by the ruling Mahayuti coalition before the 2024 assembly elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified later that the increase would happen once the state’s finances improve, but not from April.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also handles the state’s finances, announced that around 2.53 crore women have received financial assistance under the scheme since July 2024, with Rs33,232 crore already spent.
Last year, Rs46,000 crore was allocated for the Ladki Bahin Yojana, of which nearly Rs33,000 crore was spent.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, “We, the three brothers, will stand by the sisters.”
The scheme, which was seen as a key factor in the BJP-led coalition’s victory in the November 2024 elections, provides Rs1,500 per month to women aged 21-65 who are married, divorced, widowed, deserted, or destitute, and whose family income is below Rs2.5 lakh per year.
According to official data released in February 2025, 83% of the beneficiaries are married women. The highest percentage of beneficiaries, 29%, fall within the 30-39 age group, followed by 25.5% in the 21-29 age group and 23.6% in the 40-49 age group.
After taking office, the Mahayuti government started reviewing the scheme to remove ineligible recipients. So far, 5 lakh beneficiaries have been excluded, and officials estimate this number could rise to 25 lakh.
