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CAG Flags ₹3,541 Cr Excess Spend in Maharashtra's Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana; Beneficiaries Drop to 1.66 Cr

Target:MPSCUPSC GS-ITeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
16 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:₹1,500/month2.43 crore beneficiaries (peak)1.66 crore beneficiaries (current)21-65 years age₹2.5 lakh family income cap₹29,693.09 crore budget allocation
Bodies:CAGWomen and Child Development Department (Maharashtra)
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.CAG audit of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (2024-25) found ₹3,541 crore excess expenditure without justification, and funds reappropriated from other schemes like Lek Ladki Yojana.

2.Beneficiary count fell from 2.43 crore to 1.66 crore after mandatory e-KYC; Opposition alleges electoral misuse and demands restoration.

3.Scheme provides ₹1,500/month via DBT to eligible women (21-65 years, family income < ₹2.5 lakh, resident of Maharashtra).

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

Maharashtra's flagship women's cash transfer scheme, Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, faces serious CAG criticism for a ₹3,541 crore excess expenditure and lack of budget discipline. Beneficiaries have dropped from 2.43 crore to 1.66 crore after mandatory e-KYC verification, sparking a political row. The case highlights the tension between welfare populism and fiscal prudence – a key theme for governance and social justice papers.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Beneficiaries (peak)2.43 crore
Beneficiaries (current)1.66 crore
Monthly assistance₹1,500
Budget allocation (2024-25)₹29,693.09 crore
Actual expenditure₹33,237.24 crore
Excess expenditure₹3,541.16 crore
Reappropriated from Lek Ladki Yojana₹3,490.75 crore
Age eligibility21-65 years
Family income cap< ₹2.5 lakh/year
Implementing departmentWomen and Child Development Department, Maharashtra

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Beneficiaries (peak): 2.43 crore
  • ›Beneficiaries (current): 1.66 crore
  • ›Target this Data: Beneficiaries dropped from 2.43 crore to 1.66 crore; excess expenditure ₹3,541 crore; monthly assistance ₹1,500; family income cap ₹2.5 lakh/year.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General of India) and Women and Child Development Department, Maharashtra.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Article 148 (CAG) and principles of budgetary discipline / legislative control over public finances.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which department is responsible for implementing the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana:

1. The scheme provides ₹1,500 per month to eligible women via Direct Benefit Transfer.

2. The CAG report noted that the scheme's expenditure was within the budget allocation for 2024-25.

3. Only one woman per family is eligible to avail benefits under the scheme.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the CAG report, what was the total excess expenditure incurred under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in 2024-25?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana as stated by the Maharashtra government?

All 25 MCQs ▸
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