Archive · 22 Jul 2026
Rajasthan's Cash-Plus Scheme Improves Birth Outcomes
A study published in Nature Health found that a program in Rajasthan, India, which gave money to pregnant women along with advice on nutrition, helped improve the health of mothers and their babies.
The program, called 'Cash Plus,' was run by the state government and included counseling and community outreach.
The study looked at the health records of over 90,000 newborns and 60,000 mothers.
It found that the program led to fewer babies being born with low birthweight, mothers gaining more weight during pregnancy, and babies being born heavier on average.
This is important because low birthweight can lead to health problems later in life.
The program is seen as a good example of how combining financial help with education and support can improve health outcomes.
Rajasthan's 'Cash Plus' programme combined conditional cash transfers with nutrition counselling and community outreach.
The programme was associated with a 7.4 percentage-point reduction in low birthweight among 90,732 newborns.
Mothers' pregnancy weight increased by an average of 3.4 kg by the third trimester.
Mean birth weight increased by around 70 grams.
The study was observational and used an interrupted time-series design, showing an association rather than direct causation.
- Who
- Women in their second pregnancy in tribal communities of southern Rajasthan
- What
- A maternal nutrition programme combining conditional cash transfers with nutrition counselling and community outreach
- When
- January 2021 - August 2024
- Where
- Southern Rajasthan, India
- Why
- To improve maternal and newborn health outcomes, particularly in areas with persistent challenges of maternal undernutrition and limited access to health services
Proponents of Cash-Plus Scheme
Critics of Cash-Plus Scheme
Effectiveness of the Scheme
Proponents of Cash-Plus Scheme
The scheme has shown significant improvements in maternal and newborn health, including a reduction in low birthweight and increased pregnancy weight.
Critics of Cash-Plus Scheme
The observational nature of the study means it cannot definitively prove causation, and other factors like the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced the results.
- Study Publication
- Nature Health
- Study Period
- January 2021 - August 2024
- Target Population
- Women in their second pregnancy in tribal communities of southern Rajasthan
- Reduction in Low Birthweight
- 7.4 percentage points
- Increase in Maternal Pregnancy Weight
- 3.4 kg by the third trimester
- Increase in Mean Birth Weight
- 70 grams
- Study Design
- Observational, interrupted time-series design
- Research Collaborators
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, IPE Global, IIHMR Jaipur, Government of Rajasthan