Quick Navigation
- What Is PICME and What Is the RCH ID?
- Who Can Register for PICME in Tamil Nadu?
- How to Complete Your PICME Registration in Chennai
- Documents to Take for PICME Registration
- Free PICME Pre-Registration Help at Unittas
- What Your RCH ID Does Once You Have It
- Common Problems and How to Fix Them
- Frequently Asked Questions
PICME registration is free and compulsory for every pregnancy in Tamil Nadu. You can pre-register yourself on the PICME public portal, or through an e-Seva centre, a government hospital or the 102 toll free helpline, and you get a Pre-Registration ID by SMS. Your Village or Urban Health Nurse then registers you and issues the permanent 12-digit RCH ID, normally within a month.
Pregnancy brings a long list of things to arrange, and PICME registration is one of the first. It costs nothing, takes a few minutes to start, and gives you a number that follows your pregnancy care from the first scan to your child's birth certificate.
If you are wondering how PICME registration in Chennai works, where to apply and what to carry, this guide walks through each route and what to expect at every step.
Key Takeaways
- PICME registration is completely free. No centre, hospital or agent should charge you for it.
- The RCH ID is the 12-digit number the PICME system generates. The PICME number and the RCH ID are the same thing.
- Registration is compulsory in Tamil Nadu wherever you have your check-ups and wherever you deliver, including at a private hospital.
- Only a Village Health Nurse or Urban Health Nurse can issue the RCH ID, and you must meet her in person at least once.
- Antenatal registration on or before 12 weeks is one of the conditions for the first maternity benefit instalment.
What Is PICME and What Is the RCH ID?
PICME stands for Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation. It is the Tamil Nadu government system that records every pregnancy in the state so that health workers can follow antenatal care, delivery, immunisation and postnatal visits.
When you register on PICME, the system generates a unique 12-digit number called the RCH ID, short for Reproductive and Child Health Identification Number. People often call it the PICME number, and both terms mean the same thing. It is issued only by a Village Health Nurse or Urban Health Nurse, covers any number of pregnancies, and can be given to any married woman aged 15 to 49 even if she is not currently pregnant.
PICME number and RCH ID are the same thing
Your PICME number and your RCH ID are the same 12-digit number. If a nurse asks for your PICME number and a form asks for your RCH ID, they want the same thing.
Who Can Register for PICME in Tamil Nadu?
Any pregnant woman currently living in Tamil Nadu can register, and the state has made it compulsory to do so. You register with the Village Health Nurse or Urban Health Nurse for your usual place of residence. Anyone living in one place for more than six months and intending to stay counts as a resident there.
If you have moved from a neighbouring state to deliver in Tamil Nadu, you can still register. Approach the health nurse whose area covers your chosen hospital and you will be recorded as a migrant from another state. The official guidance suggests taking the help of the hospital staff, which is especially worth doing if yours is a high-risk pregnancy needing early monitoring.
How to Complete Your PICME Registration in Chennai
Pre-registration can be done in four ways, and all of them end the same way: the health nurse contacts you, registers you and issues the RCH ID. You can also skip pre-registration and go straight to the nurse.
1. PICME Registration Online on the Government Portal
- Open the official PICME portal at https://picme3.tn.gov.in/api/react2/
- Click "Self-Registration for RCH ID", the Tamil and English link on the home page.
- Fill in your personal details, address, mobile number and pregnancy information.
- Select your Administrative Unit, which is the Block you live in. If your street is not listed, pick the nearest one.
- Verify the OTP sent to your mobile. If it does not arrive, it is usually a network issue, so try again shortly.
- Note the Pre-Registration ID that arrives by SMS, and wait for your health nurse to contact you.
Completing your PICME registration online is the quickest way to begin, but it produces a Pre-Registration ID, not the final number. You must still meet the Village or Urban Health Nurse in person at least once before the RCH ID is issued.
2. Through your Urban Health Nurse or Primary Health Centre
Visit the nearest Health Sub-Centre or Urban Primary Health Centre in your area. The Village or Urban Health Nurse can take your details and register you directly, which skips the waiting step entirely.
3. At an e-Seva centre
Many e-Seva centres across Chennai handle PICME pre-registration. The staff will complete the form with you and generate your Pre-Registration ID. This is useful if you are not comfortable with the portal.
4. At a government hospital
The maternity or gynaecology department of any government hospital in Chennai can register you. Tell the registration desk that you need PICME or RCH registration.
5. By phone
Call 102, the toll free maternal and child health helpline, and pre-register over the phone.
Never pay for PICME registration
PICME registration is free through every one of these routes, including e-Seva centres. If anyone asks you for a fee to generate your RCH ID, you are being overcharged. Report it to the Primary Health Centre or call 102.
Documents to Take for PICME Registration
Registration itself does not hinge on any one document. The official PICME FAQ states that neither address proof nor the mother's Aadhaar is compulsory to register a pregnancy. Aadhaar does become compulsory if you apply for the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme. Take what you have:
- Aadhaar card of the mother, and the husband's Aadhaar if available
- Bank passbook with photo, preferably in the mother's name, with IFSC details
- An address proof such as voter ID, ration card, passport, driving licence, MGNREGS job card or CM's Comprehensive Health Insurance card
- Pregnancy proof, such as an early pregnancy ultrasound report or a doctor's certificate
- Two or three recent passport-size photographs
If something is missing, the nurse can still register your pregnancy. Aadhaar and bank details matter most if you intend to apply for the maternity benefit scheme.
Free PICME Pre-Registration Help at Unittas
If the portal or the paperwork feels like one more thing to manage, our maternity team will help you complete your PICME pre-registration free of charge. This is open to everyone, whether or not you plan to have your antenatal care or delivery with us.
- We help you fill and submit the PICME pre-registration form
- We check your documents before you go, so nothing is missing
- We explain what the Urban Health Nurse will ask for at verification
- We help if your Pre-Registration ID has not moved forward after a few weeks
Who actually issues the RCH ID
The permanent 12-digit RCH ID is issued by the government through your Village or Urban Health Nurse, not by any hospital. What we do is complete your pre-registration correctly and check your documents, so verification goes through without a repeat visit.
What Your RCH ID Does Once You Have It
- Records your antenatal scans, visits and tests in the state system
- Connects you to government maternity schemes you may qualify for
- Is required for your child's birth registration and certificate
- Lets health workers track immunisation and postnatal follow-up
- Triggers SMS reminders about check-ups and available benefits
One scheme linked to PICME is the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme, worth up to Rs.18,000 paid in instalments. The first instalment of Rs.2,000 requires antenatal registration on or before 12 weeks, which is the main reason to register early. Note that the third instalment of Rs.4,000 is conditional on delivering in a government health facility, so it would not apply to a private delivery. Ask your health nurse which instalments you qualify for rather than assuming, and see our maternity packages if you are comparing what a private delivery involves.
Save the SMS containing your number, and keep the RCH ID handy for every antenatal visit.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
| What went wrong | What to do |
|---|---|
| No one contacted you after online pre-registration | Call your local Urban Health Centre or 102 and quote your Pre-Registration ID |
| OTP did not arrive | Check your network and the number you entered, then try again after a short wait |
| Documents do not match | Carry an alternative identity or address proof and explain the situation to the nurse |
| You already registered elsewhere | Tell the nurse. An existing RCH ID can usually be transferred or updated rather than duplicated |
| You moved to a different part of Chennai | Inform the Urban Health Nurse in your new area so your record follows you |
| You lost the number | Visit your local Urban Health Centre with identity proof and they can retrieve it from the system |
PICME registration is one of the easier things on a pregnancy to-do list once you know which route to take. Start online if you are comfortable with the portal, or walk into your nearest health centre and let the nurse do it with you. Either way it costs nothing, it is required either way, and registering on or before 12 weeks keeps the maternity benefit window open. Portal links and process details on this page were verified against the official Tamil Nadu PICME FAQ on 30 September 2026, when the portal was loaded and checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RCH ID the same as the PICME number?
Yes. The RCH ID is the 12-digit number the PICME system generates, and the two names are used interchangeably.
Is there any fee for PICME registration in Chennai?
No. It is free through the portal, at health centres, at e-Seva centres, at government hospitals and through 102. Nobody should charge you for it.
Do I need to register if I am having all my care at a private hospital?
Yes. The official PICME FAQ is explicit: wherever you go for antenatal visits and wherever you deliver, it is necessary to register your pregnancy in PICME.
Is the RCH ID needed for my child's birth certificate?
Yes. Tamil Nadu has made pregnancy registration compulsory for the registration of births, and the official PICME FAQ states that without an RCH ID one cannot get a birth certificate. If you have not registered by the time you deliver, register immediately afterwards and give the RCH ID to the hospital.
How long does the RCH ID take?
It depends on your area and on when the Village or Urban Health Nurse can see you. The official PICME FAQ says it is normally issued within a month. If it takes longer, call 102 with your Pre-Registration ID.
Can I get an RCH ID without meeting the health nurse?
No. You can pre-register online or by phone, but you must meet the Village or Urban Health Nurse in person at least once before the RCH ID is issued.
How do I check my PICME number or registration status?
Use the "Self Registration Current Status" option on the PICME portal. You can track your registration with your mobile number or Pre-Registration ID, and once the health nurse has registered you it shows your RCH ID.
Can I register if I am already in my third trimester?
Yes. Registration is possible at any stage, and it is still required. Registering on or before 12 weeks is what qualifies you for the first maternity benefit instalment.
I have moved from another state to deliver in Tamil Nadu. Where do I register?
Register with the Village or Urban Health Nurse whose area covers the hospital. You will be recorded as a migrant from another state, and the official FAQ suggests taking the assistance of the hospital authorities.
Does Unittas issue the RCH ID?
No hospital issues it. Only a Village Health Nurse or Urban Health Nurse can. We help you complete the pre-registration and get your documents in order, free of charge.
Need help with your PICME pre-registration?
Our maternity team will complete the form with you and check your documents, free of charge, whether or not you deliver with us.
Need a hand with your PICME pre-registration?
Our maternity team at Unittas Hospital, Chennai will complete your PICME pre-registration with you and check your documents, free of charge, whether or not you deliver with us.