Janani Suraksha Yojana(JSY): Guide To Pregnancy Support In India

Early pregnancy exposes young girls to serious and long-term health risks such as anaemia, malaria, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To counter these challenges and encourage safe motherhood, the Government of India introduced the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). The programme focuses on promoting institutional deliveries and reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

In 2011, nearly 3.8 million adolescent girls in India became mothers, and among them, around 1.4 million had two or more children before reaching adulthood. These health complications significantly increase maternal and infant mortality rates, particularly in rural and economically weaker regions. Hence, in 2014, the Janani Shishu Surakhsha scheme was further strengthened to cover prenatal and post-natal complications, along with free treatment entitlements for sick newborns and infants up to one year of age at public health facilities.

What Is Janani Shishu Suraksha Yojana (JSY)?

The Janani Shishu Suraksha Yojana, initiated under the National Health Mission (NHM) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, ensures that pregnant women delivering in government hospitals receive completely free and cashless services, including normal and caesarean deliveries.

Both the mother and the newborn are entitled to comprehensive medical care for at least 48 hours after delivery. To further eliminate financial barriers such as expenditure on diagnostic tests, blood, medicines, food, and user charges, the government launched the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) in June 2011. This programme ensures zero out-of-pocket expenses for institutional deliveries and treatment of sick infants.

Women can apply for Janani Suraksha Yojana, track benefits, and even check payment details through the JSY official website and state health portals.

Objectives of Janani Suraksha Yojana

The scheme was introduced with clear and measurable public health goals. The objectives include:

• Reducing maternal mortality rate (MMR).

• Lowering the infant mortality rate (IMR).

• Promoting institutional deliveries across India.

• Eliminating out-of-pocket expenses during childbirth.

• Ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for poor, rural, and marginalised women.

By offering free services and JSY scheme amount incentives, the programme motivates families to choose safer delivery options.

What Is The Eligibility Criteria Of The Janani Suraksha Yojana

To be eligible to avail the benefits of Janani Suraksha Yojana, one must meet the following criteria.

• The applicant must be a pregnant woman.
• The applicant must be admitted to a state health facility.

What Is The Application Process Of The Janani Suraksha Yojana

The process to apply for Janani Suraksha Yojana is simple and community-driven. There is no complicated online form.

How to apply the JSY scheme:

Step 1: Visit the nearest government hospital or health centre.

Step 2: Register pregnancy with ASHA or ANM worker.

Step 3: Avail institutional delivery services.

Step 4: Receive cash incentive via DBT.

While there is no full JSY online apply system, beneficiaries can access details through the Janani Suraksha Yojana official website and state portals.

List Of Documents Required for Janani Suraksha Scheme

To avail benefits, the following documents are generally required:

• Aadhaar card or valid ID proof.

• Pregnancy registration card.

• Bank account details (for DBT).

• BPL card (if applicable).

• Address proof.

These documents ensure smooth processing of benefits and JSY payment status updates.