Janani Suraksha Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Pregnancy and childbirth are important stages in a woman's life, but the cost of medical care can make this period difficult for many families. To help pregnant women access safe delivery services, the Government of India launched the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) on 12 April 2005. It is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM) that aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths by encouraging women to deliver at health facilities. Under the scheme, eligible mothers receive financial assistance of ₹600 to ₹1,400, depending on their state's category and whether they live in a rural or urban area. Eligible women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households who deliver at home may also receive ₹500, subject to the applicable conditions. The scheme also provides incentives to ASHA workers who help pregnant women access antenatal care and institutional delivery services.

The scheme is implemented by the National Health Mission (NHM) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) help pregnant women register for antenatal check-ups, arrange referrals and transport, and access delivery and post-delivery care. Eligibility for financial assistance depends on the state's category and the type of health facility. In Low Performing States (LPS), all pregnant women delivering at eligible government health facilities can qualify. In High Performing States (HPS), assistance is generally available to women from BPL, Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) households, subject to the applicable rules. Women delivering at private hospitals can receive assistance only if the hospital is accredited and they meet the scheme's eligibility conditions.

Pregnant women can access the scheme by registering their pregnancy through an ASHA worker, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) or the nearest government health facility. They should keep their JSY or Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card, bank account details and other required documents ready. Financial assistance is generally provided through the designated payment process, often by Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). If they have questions about eligibility, registration or delayed payments, they can contact their local ASHA worker, ANM, Medical Officer or district health office.

Women looking for additional support during pregnancy may also benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA). This programme provides free antenatal check-ups and helps identify high-risk pregnancies so that women can receive appropriate medical care.

Scheme Benefits

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) helps eligible pregnant women access safer childbirth services by providing financial assistance and support through ASHA workers. The main benefits of the scheme are as follows:

• Eligible mothers receive financial assistance of ₹600 to ₹1,400 for institutional delivery, depending on their state's category and whether they live in a rural or urban area.
• Pregnant women in Low Performing States (LPS) can receive ₹1,400 in rural areas and ₹1,000 in urban areas.
• Eligible pregnant women in High Performing States (HPS) can receive ₹700 in rural areas and ₹600 in urban areas.
• Eligible women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households who deliver at home may receive ₹500 per delivery, subject to the applicable conditions.
• ASHA workers receive incentives for helping pregnant women register for antenatal care and complete institutional delivery.
• The scheme encourages women to deliver at government health facilities or accredited private hospitals, where they can receive medical care during childbirth.
• ASHA workers help pregnant women arrange transport, reach a suitable health facility and receive follow-up care after delivery.
• Under the published JSY guidelines, eligible institutional delivery assistance is available regardless of the mother's age or number of children, subject to the applicable rules.
• The scheme helps reduce financial barriers that may prevent economically weaker families from accessing institutional delivery services.

Financial Assistance Under Janani Suraksha Yojana

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) provides financial assistance to eligible pregnant women to encourage institutional delivery and help reduce the financial burden of childbirth. The amount depends on whether the woman lives in a rural or urban area and whether her state falls under the Low Performing States (LPS) or High Performing States (HPS) category.

The financial assistance for institutional delivery under the published national scheme guidelines is as follows:

The mother's assistance and the ASHA incentive are separate payments. The ASHA incentive supports the worker's role in facilitating antenatal care and institutional delivery; it is not an additional payment to the mother.

Eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) women who choose home delivery may receive ₹500 per delivery, subject to the applicable conditions. For institutional delivery, the published scheme guidelines provide assistance irrespective of the mother's age or number of children. Beneficiaries should confirm the applicable rules with their local ASHA worker, ANM or district health office.

Eligibility Requirements

Pregnant women can receive benefits under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) if they meet the eligibility rules for their state and delivery facility. The main requirements are:

• In Low Performing States (LPS), all pregnant women delivering at eligible government health facilities can receive financial assistance.
• In High Performing States (HPS), women from Below Poverty Line (BPL), Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) households can receive assistance at eligible government health facilities.
• Women delivering at accredited private hospitals may receive assistance if they belong to a BPL, SC or ST household and meet the scheme conditions.
• Women who choose home delivery may receive ₹500 if they belong to a BPL household and meet the applicable conditions.
• Eligible women delivering at accredited private hospitals may need to provide a BPL card or SC/ST certificate, along with other required documents.
• Pregnant women should register through an ASHA worker, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) or the nearest government health facility to access scheme services.
• Under the published JSY guidelines, financial assistance for institutional delivery is available regardless of the mother's age or the number of children she has, subject to the applicable rules.

The Low Performing States (LPS) are Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir. The remaining states and Union Territories are classified as High Performing States under the published scheme framework.

Before delivery, women should confirm their eligibility and required documents with their local ASHA worker, ANM or district health office.

Required Documents

To receive benefits under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), pregnant women should keep the required documents ready for registration and verification. The documents may vary depending on the state and the type of health facility. Commonly required documents include:

• JSY card issued by the ANM or health facility during pregnancy registration.
• Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card containing pregnancy and maternal health details.
• Aadhaar card or other accepted identity proof, as required by the state.
• Bank passbook or bank account details to receive financial assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), where applicable.
• Below Poverty Line (BPL) card, if required to confirm eligibility.
• Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate, where applicable, especially for eligible women in High Performing States or those delivering at accredited private hospitals.
• Referral slip from an ASHA worker, ANM or medical officer, if required by the accredited private hospital.
• Age proof, if required under the applicable state guidelines.

Before delivery, check with your ASHA worker, ANM or nearest government health centre to confirm which documents you need. Keeping them ready can help avoid delays in registration and payment.

Steps to Apply

To receive benefits under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), pregnant women need to register their pregnancy and complete a few simple steps with the help of a local health worker. The process is mainly offline, so you can apply through an ASHA worker, ANM or the nearest government health centre.

• Contact your ASHA worker, ANM or nearest government health centre after confirming your pregnancy.
• Register your pregnancy and make sure your details are recorded in the relevant health records.
• Collect your JSY card and Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card from the health worker or health facility.
• Keep your required documents ready, including bank account details, identity proof and a BPL card or SC/ST certificate, if applicable.
• Attend your antenatal check-ups and ask your ASHA worker about a suitable delivery facility.
• Choose an eligible government health facility or, if you qualify, an accredited private hospital for delivery.
• After delivery, complete any remaining formalities needed to receive the financial assistance. The payment is generally transferred to your bank account through the applicable payment process.
• If your payment is delayed or you face any registration problems, contact your ASHA worker, ANM or the Medical Officer at the health facility for help.

What to Do If JSY Benefits Are Delayed or Denied

If you are eligible for Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) but have not received your payment, do not worry. You can contact the concerned health officials to find out the reason and get help with the next steps.

• Contact your ASHA worker or ANM first. They can help you check whether your pregnancy registration and JSY details have been recorded correctly.
• Visit or contact the Medical Officer at the health centre where you registered or delivered. Ask whether your documents have been verified and your payment has been processed.
• Check your bank account details. Make sure the account information you provided is correct. If your payment is linked to Aadhaar, ask your bank or health worker whether there is any problem with Aadhaar linking or the bank account.
• Keep your JSY card, MCP card, delivery records and bank passbook ready. These documents can help officials find your beneficiary details and check the payment status.
• If the problem is not resolved, contact your district health office or the designated JSY grievance cell. Explain whether your payment is delayed, your records are missing or your eligibility has been questioned.
• If you still need help, you can submit a complaint through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). Provide the relevant details and supporting documents, and save your complaint reference number so you can follow up.

A delayed payment does not necessarily mean that you are ineligible for the scheme. It may be due to incomplete documents, incorrect bank details or pending verification. Ask the concerned health official to explain the reason and guide you on how to resolve the issue.

Difference Between JSY, JSSK and PMMVY

The Government of India runs different schemes to support women during pregnancy and after childbirth. Although Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) all support mothers, each scheme offers different benefits.

Relevant Links

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
• Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) Official Scheme Page
• Janani Suraksha Yojana Guidelines and FAQs
• Janani Suraksha Yojana Information on the National Portal of India
• JANANI Portal, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) Portal
• Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)

Contact Information

For assistance with Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), beneficiaries should first contact their local ASHA worker, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), or the Medical Officer at the nearest government health facility. For further guidance, they may contact the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through the official details below.

Department: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India

• Phone: 011-24013173 / 011-24013174 (Ministry contact numbers listed in the Government of India's official directory; a JSY-specific helpline was not verified).
• Address: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Room No. 11068, B-Wing, Kartavya Bhawan-1, New Delhi - 110001.

For delayed payments, eligibility issues or registration problems, beneficiaries should contact the district health office or the designated JSY grievance cell first. They can also submit a grievance through CPGRAMS if the issue remains unresolved.