Janani Suraksha Yojana – Government of India

About the Scheme

The scheme “Janani Suraksha Yojana” was launched in 12th April 2025 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The scheme aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery among poor pregnant women, and making available medical care during pregnancy, delivery, and post-delivery periods. he scheme provides 100% centrally sponsored cash assistance integrated with delivery and post-delivery care, focusing on increasing institutional and safe deliveries for Below Poverty Line families, and includes assistance for Caesarean sections or obstetric complications up to ₹1,500/- per case for hiring specialists.

The applicant must meet specific eligibility criteria related to the state type (Low Performing State or High Performing State), Below Poverty Line or Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe status, and deliver in a government health center or an accredited private institution for institutional delivery benefits. The applications for this scheme are accepted through registration for antenatal care, typically facilitated by Accredited Social Health Activists or other link health workers.

Purpose of Janani Suraksha Yojana Scheme

The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a Government of India scheme aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths by encouraging pregnant women, especially those from economically weaker and vulnerable sections, to opt for institutional delivery at government or accredited health facilities.

Main Objectives

• Promote institutional deliveries: Encourage pregnant women to give birth in hospitals or other approved health facilities rather than at home.
  
  
• Reduce maternal mortality: Improve access to skilled medical care during pregnancy, delivery and the postnatal period.
  
  
• Reduce infant and newborn mortality: Ensure mothers and babies receive timely medical attention before, during and after childbirth.
  
  
• Provide financial assistance: Offer cash assistance to eligible pregnant women to help reduce the financial burden associated with institutional delivery.
  
  
• Support vulnerable women: Give special emphasis to women from low-income and disadvantaged communities.
  
  
• Improve access to maternal healthcare: Encourage women to make use of antenatal, delivery and postnatal healthcare services.
  

Cash Benefits under Janani Suraksha yojana

Cash assistance for Eligible pregnant women

Payments and Disbursement Condition

Compensation for Sterilization

• When the mother or her husband voluntarily chooses sterilization immediately following childbirth, the eligible sterilization compensation under the applicable Family Welfare Programme should be provided to the mother at the hospital.

Antenatal Care (ANC) Services

• ANC services cover the early identification and registration of pregnant women, along with at least three antenatal check-ups. These services also include Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccination and the distribution of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets.

Postnatal Care (PNC) Services

• Postnatal services include a health check-up within seven days after delivery to monitor the mother’s condition and provide necessary care. Mothers are also counselled on starting breastfeeding within one hour of birth, continuing breastfeeding for the recommended period, and adopting suitable family-planning methods.

Newborn Immunization

• The scheme supports arrangements for timely immunization of newborn babies according to the recommended immunization schedule. Earlier guidelines specified coverage during the initial weeks of life, including vaccination milestones up to 14 weeks.

Eligibility Criteria for Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

1. Eligibility for Institutional Delivery

• The woman should give birth at an approved government health facility, such as a Sub-Centre authorized for institutional deliveries, Primary Health Centre (PHC), Community Health Centre (CHC), First Referral Unit (FRU), or the general ward of a District or State Hospital.
• Delivery at an accredited private healthcare institution is also permitted, subject to the applicable JSY eligibility conditions.

2. Eligibility in Low Performing States (LPS)

• The applicant should be a pregnant woman seeking institutional delivery services.
• For deliveries conducted at eligible government or accredited private health institutions, marriage status or BPL certification is not required in the circumstances specified under the applicable JSY guidelines.
• Above Poverty Line (APL) women in LPS can also receive JSY benefits when they choose institutional delivery at eligible government facilities such as Sub-Centres, PHCs, CHCs, FRUs, and general wards of District or State Hospitals.

3. Eligibility in High Performing States (HPS)

• The beneficiary should belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) household.
• Eligibility is also linked to being a Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) woman, as specified under the applicable JSY guidelines.

4. Eligibility for Accredited Private Institutions

For deliveries at accredited private institutions, the beneficiary should satisfy the relevant eligibility requirements, including:

• Belonging to a BPL household, wherever required under the applicable guidelines.
• Being an SC/ST woman, where applicable.
• Providing a valid BPL certificate or SC/ST certificate as proof of eligibility.
• Carrying the necessary referral document issued by an ASHA, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), or Medical Officer, along with the JSY/Maternal and Child Health card, wherever required.

5. Eligibility for Home Delivery

• Home-delivery assistance under JSY is intended for eligible women belonging to BPL households.
• The beneficiary should provide a valid BPL certificate to claim the applicable benefit.

Documents Required for Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

To apply for and receive benefits under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), beneficiaries may need to submit certain documents for identity, eligibility, pregnancy registration and delivery verification. The exact requirements can vary depending on the state, type of delivery and beneficiary category.

Documents Required for Application

• BPL Certificate: Required in cases where Below Poverty Line status is a condition for receiving the benefit, particularly in applicable High Performing States and eligible home-delivery cases.
  
• SC Certificate: May be required by eligible Scheduled Caste women when claiming benefits through accredited private healthcare institutions.
  
• ST Certificate: May be required by eligible Scheduled Tribe women under the applicable eligibility provisions.
  
• Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Card: This card records important information about pregnancy, antenatal check-ups and maternal healthcare services.
  
• JSY Card/Registration Record: Used to register the beneficiary under the scheme and maintain details related to the assistance provided.

Documents for Receiving JSY Benefits

• JSY Card and MCH Card: These documents help the health authorities verify the beneficiary and process the applicable cash assistance.
  
• Referral Slip: Where applicable, a referral slip issued by an ASHA worker, ANM or Medical Officer may be required, particularly when a woman is referred to an accredited private institution.
  
• Hospital Admission or Discharge Record: This may be used to confirm the institutional delivery and support the processing of eligible benefits.
  
• Payment Voucher: Where voucher-based payment is followed, the relevant voucher may be used to claim the applicable maternity and transport assistance.
  
• ASHA-Related Payment Records: Appropriate vouchers or supporting records may be maintained for processing payments related to services provided by ASHA workers.

Documents Used for Monitoring and Reporting

The JSY implementation system also involves maintaining records to monitor deliveries, antenatal care and expenditure.

• Expenditure Statement: Designated health workers may submit periodic statements showing how funds advanced for JSY activities were utilized.
  
• Delivery and ANC Reports: Accredited private healthcare facilities may submit periodic information on institutional deliveries, antenatal care and cases involving obstetric complications.
  
• Referral Records: Referral slips and related documents may be submitted along with institutional reports to support verification and monitoring.

Application Process for Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) application process is designed to help eligible pregnant women register for maternal healthcare services and receive the applicable financial assistance. The process is generally completed through government health facilities and frontline health workers such as ASHA workers and ANMs.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Register the Pregnancy
   The pregnant woman should contact the nearest government health centre, ASHA worker or ANM and register her pregnancy at the earliest opportunity.
   
2. Provide the Required Information
   The beneficiary needs to provide basic personal, pregnancy and eligibility details. Relevant documents may also be requested for verification.
   
3. Complete JSY Registration
   After verification, the eligible woman is registered under JSY. Her pregnancy and healthcare details are recorded in the appropriate maternal health records.
   
4. Attend Antenatal Check-ups
   The beneficiary should attend the recommended antenatal check-ups and make use of available services such as health examinations, vaccinations and nutritional supplements.
   
5. Select an Eligible Delivery Facility
   The beneficiary should plan delivery at an eligible government health institution or an accredited private institution, wherever permitted under the applicable JSY rules.
   
6. Obtain Referral, If Applicable
   Where referral documentation is required, the beneficiary may obtain it from the concerned ASHA worker, ANM or Medical Officer before visiting an accredited private institution.
   
7. Complete the Delivery at the Approved Facility
   After institutional delivery, the healthcare facility verifies the beneficiary’s records and delivery details.
   
8. Process the Financial Assistance
   Once the required conditions and documents have been verified, the eligible JSY cash assistance is processed according to the applicable government procedure.
   
9. Receive Postnatal Care
   Following delivery, the mother and newborn should receive appropriate postnatal healthcare, counselling and follow-up services.

Conclusion

The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is an important maternal healthcare initiative that encourages pregnant women to choose safe institutional delivery and access essential healthcare services. By providing financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries and promoting antenatal, delivery and postnatal care, the scheme aims to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and improve overall maternal health.

The scheme also helps women from economically disadvantaged and vulnerable groups access appropriate medical facilities during pregnancy and childbirth. Eligible beneficiaries should complete pregnancy registration, keep the required documents ready and contact the nearest government health facility, ASHA worker or ANM to understand the benefits and procedures applicable to them.

Application Link in Below