Direct Benefit Nutrition Schemes (DBNS)

Direct Benefit Nutrition Schemes (DBNS) are systems designed to transfer financial or material benefits directly to beneficiaries, bypassing intermediaries, with a focus on improving nutrition and social welfare. These schemes specifically target:

• Women and children (especially under 6 years)
• Pregnant and lactating mothers
• Economically weaker sections

The key objectives of DBNS in the context of social welfare include:

• Reduce Leakage: Traditional welfare schemes often suffer from corruption or administrative leakages. Direct transfers ensure benefits reach the intended person.
• Enhance Nutrition: Cash transfers enable beneficiaries to purchase nutritious food, improving health outcomes.
• Empower Beneficiaries: Direct transfers give recipients autonomy over their spending and nutrition choices.
• Simplify Administration: Reduces paperwork and monitoring costs for government programs.

• Beneficiary Identification: Using databases like Aadhaar (in India) to identify eligible individuals.
• Direct Transfer: Funds are transferred directly into the beneficiary’s bank account or linked digital wallet.
• Conditional or Unconditional Support: Benefits may be tied to health checkups, school attendance, or nutrition monitoring.

Examples:

• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) in India provides direct benefit transfers for maternity benefits to improve nutrition during pregnancy.
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is transitioning toward DBNS for nutrition supplements for children and mothers.

• Requires banking or digital literacy among beneficiaries.
• Dependence on technology and Aadhaar can exclude marginalized people.
• Cash transfers may not always guarantee proper nutritional usage without awareness programs.