The Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana remains one of Madhya Pradesh's major financial assistance programmes for women. Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries currently receive ₹1,500 every month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

With October underway, beneficiaries are now waiting for the next ₹1,500 payment. At the same time, the financial cost of running the programme has attracted attention after Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav recently commented on the substantial expenditure involved.

So, when could the October 2026 instalment reach beneficiaries, how much is the Madhya Pradesh government spending on the programme, and what should women do if the payment does not appear in their bank account?

How Much Do Women Receive Under Ladli Behna Yojana?

The scheme was launched in 2023 with monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 for eligible women. The amount was subsequently increased to ₹1,250 and was raised to ₹1,500 per month from November 2025.

This means an eligible beneficiary receiving all 12 monthly payments at the current rate would get ₹18,000 over a full year.

Recent official reporting indicates that more than 1.25 crore eligible women are receiving benefits under the programme.

The beneficiary count has changed over time as women have exited the scheme because of age, death or other eligibility-related reasons.

How Much Does the Madhya Pradesh Government Spend?

Providing ₹1,500 every month to more than 1.25 crore women requires a significant allocation from the state government.

At the current payment level and beneficiary base, the scheme's annual cash-transfer cost has been estimated at approximately ₹22,680 crore.

The Madhya Pradesh government's 2026-27 Budget allocation for the Ladli Behna programme has separately been reported at ₹23,883 crore.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav recently referred to the scheme as a costly financial commitment during an interaction at a Bundeli Samagam in Bhopal. His comments came while discussing the scale of expenditure required to continue providing financial support to beneficiaries.

The Chief Minister also recalled that the programme had initially provided ₹1,000 per month before the assistance was progressively increased.

When Will the October 2026 Instalment Arrive?

For beneficiaries, the most immediate question is when the next ₹1,500 will be deposited.

Ladli Behna payments have generally been transferred on a monthly schedule. Based on the usual timeline cited in reports, the October 2026 instalment is expected around October 10.

However, beneficiaries should treat October 10 as an expected timeline unless the Madhya Pradesh government officially announces the exact transfer date.

Governments have sometimes adjusted welfare-payment schedules around festivals or special events. Therefore, an earlier transfer is possible, but beneficiaries should rely on an official government announcement rather than social-media claims about a changed payment date.

September Instalment Was Transferred to More Than 1.25 Crore Women

The previous payment provides a useful indication of the scheme's current scale.

In September 2026, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released the 40th instalment of the Ladli Behna Yojana from Agar Malwa.

More than ₹1,835 crore was transferred directly to the bank accounts of over 1.25 crore eligible women.

By that point, cumulative transfers under the scheme had crossed ₹65,000 crore since its launch.

Why the Beneficiary Number Has Changed

Some reports still refer to approximately 1.29 crore beneficiaries because that figure relates to an earlier stage of the programme.

When the scheme was introduced, more than 1.31 crore applications were received. After scrutiny and objections, more than 2.18 lakh names were removed, leaving around 1.29 crore eligible beneficiaries at that stage.

The number has subsequently declined.

Recent reporting puts the beneficiary base at around 1.25-1.26 crore. Beneficiaries may leave the programme after turning 60, following death or if they cease to meet other eligibility requirements.

This distinction is important when estimating the government's present monthly and annual expenditure.

What If the ₹1,500 Payment Does Not Arrive?

Beneficiaries should not immediately assume that they have been removed from the scheme if the payment does not appear on the expected date.

Bank processing delays can sometimes affect when a DBT transaction becomes visible.

Women should first check their bank account or transaction history. They can then check their beneficiary and payment information through the official Ladli Behna Yojana system.

Make sure that the bank account linked to the scheme remains active and that the required beneficiary information is correct.

If the payment remains missing despite continued eligibility, beneficiaries can approach the appropriate scheme or local government authorities for clarification.

Don't Trust Viral Messages About Payment Dates

Welfare schemes frequently become the subject of misleading social-media posts, particularly before a new instalment is due.

Messages claiming that the payment has been doubled, stopped, brought forward or released on a new date should not be considered genuine unless supported by an official Madhya Pradesh government announcement.

Beneficiaries should also never share bank passwords, OTPs, ATM PINs or other sensitive financial information with anyone claiming they can help release a pending Ladli Behna payment.

October Payment Expected Soon

Eligible women currently receive ₹1,500 per month under the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana, and the programme covers more than 1.25 crore beneficiaries.

At the current payout level, the annual cost of the direct financial assistance is estimated at around ₹22,680 crore.

For October 2026, beneficiaries can expect the next ₹1,500 instalment around the scheme's regular monthly payment period, with reports pointing to October 10 as the expected date. Until the government confirms the transfer schedule, however, the date should be treated as expected rather than guaranteed.

Beneficiaries waiting for the payment should monitor their bank accounts and rely on official scheme information for the latest status.