State extends Ladki Bahin e-KYC deadline till April 30

The number of total beneficiaries which was 2.43 crore when the scheme launched in June 2024, has reduced by 26.34 lakh in July 2025 after initial screening following the Mahayuti government’s return to power. It is now expected to drop to 1.75 crore because 68 lakh women who previously received cash benefits did not complete the e-KYC process launched in September 2025

Mumbai: The state government on Wednesday extended the deadline for completing the e-KYC process under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, giving beneficiaries time till April 30 to complete the mandatory verification. Nearly 68 lakh women who had previously received benefits are yet to complete the process, officials said.

The "Ladki Bahin Yojana" was launched by the then chief minister, Eknath Shinde, in the presence of the then deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, and Devendra Fadnavis, in August 2024. (HT Photo)

Women and child development minister Aditi Tatkare said the extension would be the last opportunity for beneficiaries to complete or correct their e-KYC details, failing which they would not be eligible to receive benefits under the scheme.

“This is the last opportunity for beneficiaries to complete or correct their e-KYC details. Those who fail to do so within the extended deadline will not be eligible to receive benefits under the scheme.” said Tatkare.

The scheme, launched ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections, initially had 2.43 crore beneficiaries, each receiving ₹1,500 per month. However, after the Mahayuti government returned to power, a verification process was initiated, leading to a drop of 26.34 lakh beneficiaries after initial scrutiny in July 2025.

Subsequently, the Women and Child Development Department launched the e-KYC process in September 2025 to further verify beneficiaries. The deadline, which was initially set for November 2025, was extended multiple times — first to December 31, then to March 31, 2026, and has now been extended to April 30.

Officials said around 68 lakh women who had previously received benefits did not complete the e-KYC process, and the number of beneficiaries is now expected to come down to around 1.75 crore from the original 2.43 crore.

Due to the reduction in beneficiaries, the state government is expected to save approximately ₹12,240 crore annually. The government had spent around ₹43,740 crore earlier when the number of beneficiaries stood at 2.43 crore, which is now expected to reduce to around ₹31,500 crore with the revised beneficiary count.

Officials said ₹2,596 crore has already been disbursed as a monthly instalment to around 1.75 crore beneficiaries. They added that while some beneficiaries may still complete the e-KYC process during the extended period and be reinstated, the overall increase in numbers is unlikely to be significant.