The Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) 3.0 scheme is a flagship healthcare initiative by the Indian government aimed at improving maternal and child health. This scheme focuses on providing complete care to pregnant women, guaranteeing safe deliveries with help of Experienced medical team assistance in remote rural and urban area, and reducing infant mortality rates. PICME 3.0 is an latest version of earlier iterations. With incorporating digital tracking, better healthcare access, and financial support for expecting mothers.
This scheme launched under the National Health Mission (NHM), PICME 3.0 safeguards that pregnant women receive timely medical attention, vaccinations, nutritional support, and postnatal care. The scheme is design to fill the gaps in rural and urban healthcare. By offering free or subsidize services. Including diagnostic tests, medicines, and institutional deliveries. With a strong emphasis on technology-driven monitoring, the government aims to track every pregnancy from registration to postnatal care, guaranteeing no woman is left without medical support.
About the History of PICME 3.0 Scheme
The PICME scheme was initially is addressing maternal and infant mortality rates in India. Over the years, it evolved into PICME 3.0, with the latest version announced by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in 2022. The scheme was officially informing of phases. With states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh being early adopters. With different name of the scheme but moreover aim are the same that make sure no woman is left without medical support
PICME 3.0 integrates real-time data tracking through a centralized digital platform, allowing healthcare workers to monitor pregnancies, immunization schedules, and postnatal care efficiently. The scheme aligns with global healthcare standards, ensuring that pregnant women receive WHO-recommended vaccinations, iron supplements, and regular health check-ups.
The government has allocated substantial funds to certify free antenatal care, institutional deliveries, and emergency medical support for economically weaker sections. By leveraging ASHA workers and Anganwadi centres, PICME 3.0 confirms last-mile healthcare delivery.
How PICME 3.0 Works for Pregnant Women?
The PICME 3.0 scheme provides complete healthcare support to pregnant women from conception to postnatal care, ensuring safe motherhood and child health. Once a woman registers under the PICME scheme, she receives a unique PICME ID, enabling real-time tracking of her pregnancy stages through a centralized digital system. The scheme covers three critical phases:
- Antenatal Care (Prenatal Stage) – Pregnant women receive free regular check-ups, essential vaccinations (like tetanus), iron and folic acid supplements, and diagnostic tests (ultrasound, blood tests, Hb monitoring) to detect complications early. High-risk pregnancies are refer with specialize facilities.
- Delivery Assistance – The scheme makes sure free institutional delivery in government or empanelled private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat. Cash incentives under PICME 3.0 Scheme are provided to encourage hospital deliveries.
- Postnatal Care – After delivery, mothers and newborns receive free vaccinations, nutritional guidance, and follow-up visits to monitor recovery and child development.
Additionally, ASHA workers and Anganwadi centers play an important role in providing doorstep support and Including nutrition kits, breastfeeding advice, and emergency medical referrals. The scheme also offers free ambulance services (102/108) for high-risk cases, ensuring timely medical intervention. By integrating technology and grassroots healthcare workers, PICME 3.0 ensures zero-cost maternal care for all eligible women.
Key points for PICME 3.0:
- Pre-Natal Care – Regular health check-ups, ultrasound scans, iron & folic acid supplements, and tetanus vaccinations.
- Delivery Assistance – Free institutional delivery in government hospitals or empanelled private facilities.
- Post-Natal Care – Newborn vaccinations, breastfeeding guidance, and maternal health monitoring.
Why PICME 3.0 Benefits is Important:
- Free diagnostic tests (blood tests, urine tests, Hb monitoring)
- Mandatory for Birth Certificate (The Government of Tamil Nadu mandates the PICME number for all newborn birth registrations. Without a valid PICME ID, municipal authorities do not accept birth certificate applications under any circumstances.)
- Free medicines & prescriptions (12-digit RCH ID is required for all the government facility.)
- Cash incentives for institutional delivery under PICME 3.0 is allowed access to Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Scheme under the Government Scheme Rs. 18000/- for registered women under the scheme in state of Tamil Nadu. Â
- Emergency transport support in rural areas
- Nutritional support through Integration with emergency Services
The scheme ensures that high-risk pregnancies are identified early and referred to specialized healthcare facilities.
Eligibility and Documents Required
Who Can Apply?
- Pregnant women (including working women & migrants)
- Women from BPL families
- Women with Ayushman Bharat cards
Documents Needed:
- Aadhaar Card
- Ration Card (BPL proof) or Residential Proof
- Marriage Certificate
- Pregnancy confirmation report from a registered doctor
- Photograph
- Bank Passbook
- Domicile certificate (if required by state)
How to Register?
The State Government make sure that every pregnant woman in Tamil Nadu can complete PICME registration through nearby health officials. This process supports women who do not access the online portal but they provide opportunity for any woman can register under the scheme PICME 3.0 in multiple ways. Here are the two main methods as followed mention below.
Direct Registration with Rural Village or Urban Health
In rural areas, the Village Health Nurse handles PICME registration. In urban areas, the Urban Health Nurse performs this task. The nurse visits the applicant’s home or invites her to the health centre. During the interaction, the nurse collects personal information, confirms the pregnancy, and verifies essential documents. After completing the verification, the nurse issues the 12-digit RCH ID and updates the health department records.
Anganwadi center, ASHA worker, or government hospital.
Pregnant women may visit nearby Anganwadi centers or government Primary Health Centers to register under PICME. At these centers, trained staff assist with form submission and document collection. The health worker ensures that the applicant’s details reach the assigned nurse, who completes the final verification and activates the registration.
Submit required documents.
After registration, the nurse visits the applicant at regular intervals. During each visit, the nurse checks the mother’s health, tracks the baby’s growth, and provides medical advice. These visits help identify any risks early and improve health outcomes for both mother and child.
Get a PICME ID for tracking pregnancy stages.
Once registered under the PICME 3.0 scheme, pregnant women can easily track their pregnancy progress, medical records, and benefit status through multiple channels. The simplest method is via the official PICME portal or mobile app (where available), where beneficiaries can log in using their PICME ID or registered mobile number to view upcoming check-ups, test reports, and vaccination schedules. For those without internet access, SMS updates are sent to the registered phone number at key pregnancy milestones. Additionally, women can visit their nearest Anganwadi centre, ASHA worker, or Primary Health Centre (PHC) to get physical copies of their records and status updates. In some states, a dedicated helpline number (often linked to the National Health Mission) provides voice-based updates on registration status and pending services through the online tracking mode.
Receive free antenatal care, medicines, and delivery benefits.
Your 12-digit RCH ID is pay an important roll for to access and avail all the government facility. Which is necessary for a mother and child. The digital tracking system ensures transparency, allowing both healthcare providers and beneficiaries to monitor the pregnancy journey in real-time and take timely action if any medical intervention is required.
How to Find PICME Facility Centres?
PICME services are available at:
- Primary Health Centres (PHCs)
- Community Health Centres (CHCs)
- Government District Hospitals
- Empanelled Private Clinics (under PMJAY)
To locate the nearest centre:
- Visit the NHM or State Health Department website
- Call 102/108 ambulance services for assistance
- Use the PICME mobile app (if applicable in your state)
Costs and Government Subsidies
- Registration is free for eligible women.
- All tests, medicines, and deliveries are free in government hospitals.
- Subsidized rates apply in empanelled private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat.
- Cash benefits are provided under PICME 3.0 (₹18,000) depending on the states it’s may be ₹6,000-₹14,000 under JSY Scheme.
List of Similar State Schemes for Pregnant Women
| State | Scheme Name | Key Benefits |
| Tamil Nadu | Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Scheme | Free delivery, cash assistance |
| Karnataka | Thayi Bhagya Scheme | Free healthcare, transport |
| Maharashtra | Majhi Kanya Bhagyashree | Education & health support |
| Uttar Pradesh | Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) | Cash incentive for delivery |
| Andhra Pradesh | Amma Vodi Scheme | Financial aid for mothers |
Final Remarks
PICME 3.0 is a lifesaving initiative for pregnant women, ensuring affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare. By leveraging digital tracking and government subsidies, the scheme empowers women with free check-ups, vaccinations, and safe deliveries. Eligible women should register early to avail full benefits and secure a healthy future for themselves and their newborns.
For more details, visit the National Health Mission portal or contact your nearest ASHA worker and Learn more. ..