Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) Yojana: Government of India

By Admin August 24, 2026 9

About the SMAY

The Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) Yojana is a Government of India programme designed to improve healthcare services for pregnant women, mothers and newborn babies. It aims to ensure that beneficiaries can access free, safe, timely and respectful medical care at public health facilities.

The scheme gives particular importance to care during pregnancy, childbirth and the post-delivery period, with the broader goal of preventing avoidable complications and deaths among mothers and newborns.

To encourage safe pregnancy and childbirth.

To provide access to essential maternal and newborn healthcare services.

To help reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

To ensure timely medical support before, during and after delivery.

To promote dignified and respectful care for women.

To reduce the financial burden associated with essential maternity and newborn healthcare.

Services and Benefits Available Under SUMAN Yojana

1. Care During Pregnancy and Delivery

Pregnant women can receive a minimum of four antenatal check-ups, with at least one visit during the early stage of pregnancy.
At least one antenatal examination is encouraged through the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA).
Normal delivery and Caesarean delivery services are available without charges at designated public health facilities.
Necessary medical treatment is provided for complications that may occur during pregnancy.

2. Newborn and Infant Healthcare

Free medical care is available for newborns and infants who require treatment.
Newborns can receive vaccinations according to the applicable immunisation schedule.
Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) includes six scheduled home visits to monitor the baby’s health.
Mothers are supported and guided regarding early breastfeeding and proper infant feeding practices.

3. Free Transport Support

Eligible beneficiaries can receive transport assistance from their home to the healthcare centre.
If specialised treatment is required, referral transportation between healthcare facilities is available.
A return/drop-back transport facility may also be provided after the beneficiary is discharged.

4. Other Healthcare Entitlements

Covered beneficiaries can access essential medicines, diagnostic tests and blood services without payment.
Postnatal check-ups and counselling are provided, including information related to family planning.
Women are entitled to respectful maternity care, including privacy, dignity and appropriate participation in healthcare decisions.
The programme aims to ensure that beneficiaries do not have to bear out-of-pocket expenses for the services covered under SUMAN entitlements.

Eligibility for Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) Yojana

Pregnant women who need maternity-related healthcare services may receive benefits under the scheme.
Women who have recently delivered a baby can access eligible services at government healthcare facilities.
Infants up to six months of age are covered for applicable newborn and infant healthcare services.
Lactating mothers within six months after childbirth can also make use of the healthcare facilities provided through the scheme.

Key Benefits of Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) Yojana

The SUMAN scheme focuses on providing accessible and quality healthcare to mothers and newborns through public health facilities. Its major benefits include:

Pregnancy care: Women can receive essential health check-ups and monitoring throughout pregnancy.
Delivery assistance: Eligible beneficiaries can access free services for normal delivery and Caesarean delivery at designated government facilities.
Complication management: Medical care is available when pregnancy or childbirth involves health-related complications.
Newborn treatment: Babies requiring medical attention can receive appropriate care without additional charges for covered services.
Vaccination: Eligible newborns and infants can receive vaccinations as per the applicable government immunisation programme.
Home-based newborn support: Healthcare workers conduct scheduled home visits to monitor the newborn’s health and guide parents.
Breastfeeding guidance: Mothers can receive support and counselling on initiating breastfeeding and maintaining proper infant feeding practices.
Transport assistance: Eligible beneficiaries may receive transportation support for reaching healthcare facilities, referrals and returning home after discharge.
Medicines and diagnostic services: Covered beneficiaries can access essential medicines, tests and blood-related services without payment.
Post-delivery care: Mothers can receive follow-up check-ups, health counselling and family-planning information after childbirth.
Respectful treatment: The programme promotes maternity care that protects the woman’s dignity, privacy and choice.
Lower healthcare expenses: SUMAN aims to ensure that beneficiaries do not face unnecessary expenses for services included within the scheme’s entitlements.

Documents Needed for SUMAN Yojana

The paperwork required may differ based on the type of healthcare service and the government health facility. In general, beneficiaries may be asked to keep the following documents available:

Aadhaar Card or valid identity proof
Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card or antenatal care (ANC) card
Address proof, when applicable
Pregnancy and medical treatment records
Hospital admission, treatment or discharge documents, if applicable
Bank account information, where required for a specific benefit
Baby’s birth certificate or other birth-related proof, where applicable
Child’s vaccination or immunisation record, if available

Application Process for SUMAN Yojana

The Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) Yojana is mainly delivered through government healthcare facilities. Beneficiaries generally do not need to complete a separate online application to receive routine services. The process can be followed as below:

Visit a Government Health Facility
Pregnant women, new mothers or eligible newborns can approach a nearby government hospital, Community Health Centre (CHC), Primary Health Centre (PHC) or other designated public health facility.
Complete Registration
Register your pregnancy or maternity details at the healthcare facility. The required information may be recorded in the relevant maternal and child health records.
Submit Necessary Documents
Provide the identity proof and other documents requested by the healthcare facility, such as the MCP/ANC card and medical records.
Receive Healthcare Services
After registration, eligible beneficiaries can access the applicable services, including antenatal check-ups, delivery care, newborn treatment, postnatal care, medicines, diagnostics and other entitlements.
Use Referral and Transport Support
If specialised treatment is required, the healthcare staff can arrange or guide the beneficiary regarding referral services and available transport assistance.
Continue Postnatal and Newborn Care
After delivery, mothers and babies should attend scheduled follow-ups and make use of available postnatal, breastfeeding, immunisation and newborn-care services.

Conclusion

The Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) Yojana is an important government initiative focused on improving healthcare for pregnant women, mothers and newborns. By supporting antenatal care, safe delivery, newborn treatment, postnatal services, transportation and essential medical facilities, the scheme aims to make maternity care more accessible and affordable.

Overall, SUMAN encourages safe motherhood, healthy newborn care and respectful treatment while helping eligible families reduce the financial burden associated with essential healthcare services.