Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) – Scheme Details & Benefits

Launched on April 12, 2005, by the Honourable Prime Minister, Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a flagship maternal health scheme under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). The program is aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths by promoting safe institutional deliveries, especially among economically vulnerable pregnant women.

JSY is implemented across all states and union territories, with a special focus on states that have historically struggled with poor health indicators.

What makes this scheme impactful is its integration of financial support with essential medical care during and after childbirth. As a 100% centrally sponsored initiative, JSY provides cash incentives to mothers to encourage them to opt for hospital-based deliveries, which are safer and better equipped to handle complications.

At the heart of the program is the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)—a community health worker who serves as the critical bridge between the healthcare system and rural families. ASHA workers guide and support expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy journey, ensuring they access timely care and institutional delivery services.

The effectiveness of the Janani Suraksha Yojana will ultimately be reflected in the increased rate of institutional deliveries among low-income households—a key step towards ensuring safer births and healthier futures for mothers and their newborns.

What is Janani Suraksha Yojana?

The Janani Suraksha Yojana scheme is a government-backed program under the National Rural Health Mission aimed at promoting safe childbirth through institutional deliveries. It offers financial assistance to pregnant women, especially those from low-income groups. For those searching Janani Suraksha Yojana in Marathi, regional language support is also available on official health portals to ensure better access and awareness.

Who is eligible for Janani Suraksha Scheme?

The JSY scheme is primarily designed for pregnant women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, especially those residing in rural and low-performing states. Women aged 19 and above who opt for institutional deliveries in government or accredited facilities are eligible for cash benefits under this initiative.

Benefits of Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

What are the benefits of Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Here are some key benefits of Janani Suraksha Yojana that you should know: This scheme significantly reduces out-of-pocket expenses for institutional deliveries, offering crucial financial aid and encouraging safer childbirth practices; these are vital janani suraksha yojana benefits.

The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a crucial program designed to support economically disadvantaged pregnant women and improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Recognizing the varying rates of institutional deliveries across the nation, the JSY strategically categorizes states into two groups to ensure focused attention where it's needed most.

Low Performing States (LPS): These states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Orissa, and Jammu and Kashmir, are identified by their lower rates of women giving birth in healthcare facilities. The JSY places a significant emphasis on these regions to encourage institutional deliveries and reduce associated risks.

High Performing States (HPS): All other states that don't fall under the LPS category are classified as High Performing States. While these states have better institutional delivery rates, the JSY continues to provide support to ensure sustained progress.

Key Requirements for Beneficiaries: Every pregnant woman enrolled in the JSY program must possess both a JSY card and a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) card. These documents are essential for accessing the scheme's benefits and tracking maternal and child health.

Community-Level Planning: To ensure comprehensive care, Anganwadi workers (AWW), ASHAs, or other recognized link workers play a vital role in developing a micro-birth plan for each beneficiary. This plan is created under the guidance of the Medical Officer (MO) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), ensuring a coordinated approach to safe motherhood.

The program specifically targets economically disadvantaged pregnant women, with special considerations for states exhibiting low rates of institutional deliveries. Based on this criteria, the states are divided into two categories:

• LPS: This stands for Low Performing States. The states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Orissa, and Jammu and Kashmir fall in this category due to low rates of institutional deliveries.
• HPS: This stands for High Performing States. All the other states, other than the ones that fall in the LPS category, come under the umbrella of HPS.

Every beneficiary registered under this program needs both a JSY card and a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) card.

The Anganwadi worker (AWW), ASHA, or another recognised link worker should develop a micro-birth plan with the oversight of the Medical Officer (MO) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM).

Eligibility criteria for Janani Suraksha Yojana

Given below is the eligibility criteria for JSY: This inclusive scheme primarily targets pregnant women belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, ensuring crucial support for safe motherhood and delivery.

• Women that fall under the BPL category are only eligible for this scheme. Be it in rural areas or in urban areas.
• The scheme's benefits are only available to pregnant women aged 19 and above.
• Women can claim benefits of the scheme only up to two births.
• BPL women (rural and urban) are eligible.
• Pregnant women must be 19 years or older.
• Benefits are limited to the first two live births.
• Institutional delivery is strongly encouraged for optimal care.
• Registration during pregnancy is required to avail benefits.
• Post-natal care for mother and newborn may be necessary for full benefits.

Steps to apply For Janani Suraksha Yojana Online Registration

You can follow the steps given below to apply for Janani Suraksha Yojana:

Getting JSY benefits is straightforward! You have two convenient options:

Online Application:

1. Go to the official JSY website and click "Apply Online."
2. Complete the e-registration form with accurate details (woman's name, age, address).
3. Attach scanned copies of required documents as proof.
4. Click "Submit" and save the generated reference code.

Offline Application:

1. Download the form in your preferred language from the JSY website ("Download Offline Form").
2. Print and carefully fill in all required information.
3. Attach photocopies of necessary documents.
4. Submit the completed form and documents to your local ASHA or Anganwadi center.

Documents required Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

• Aadhaar card
• Address proof
• JSY card
• Delivery certificate
• BPL Ration Card
• Bank details
• Mobile number
• Passport-size photo, etc.

Eligibility for cash assistance

The eligibility for cash assistance under the Janani Suraksha Yojana is given below: