A change to the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and POSHAN toll-free helpline number was announced by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on Friday.

People will find it simpler to remember and obtain support services with the new number.

According to the Ministry, “the new helpline number 1515 will be live from November 1st, replacing the existing number 14408.”

“This modification has been implemented to enhance accessibility and streamline recall for recipients requesting aid under the POSHAN and PMMVY programs,” it continued.

The Ministry pointed out that there might be a short transition period for users while the integration is being completed.

It stated, “Callers are advised to continue using the old number 14408 if they are unable to connect to the new number 1515 during this time.”

In order to address the growing issue of malnutrition among small children, nursing mothers, and pregnant women, the POSHAN Abhiyaan was introduced in 2018.

Significant progress has been made in India’s fight against malnutrition thanks to the Poshan Maah project, which is part of the Poshan Abhiyaan. By improving nutrition and lowering childhood stunting, it has significantly contributed to the development of a stronger and healthier country.

In contrast, the PMMVY program, which was introduced in 2010 and changed its name in 2017, offers financial support to encourage healthy eating habits and enhance health-seeking behavior in expectant and nursing moms. It also fosters good views toward girls.

To help mothers take time off before and after the birth of their first child, the PMMVY provides financial incentives as a partial replacement for lost wages.

Under Mission Shakti’s “Samarthya” sub-scheme, it is a centrally supported program that offers direct financial aid via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

For the first kid under PMMVY, a cash incentive of Rs 5,000 is given in two installments, and for the second girl child, Rs 6,000 is given in one installment after birth.

The Ministry said the new helplines “will continue to serve as a single point of contact for queries, information, and support related to POSHAN and PMMVY,” adding that it “remains committed to ensuring smooth communication and uninterrupted support for all beneficiaries across the country.”