Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe motherhood scheme run by the Government of India under the National Health Mission (NHM). It gives cash help to pregnant women who choose to deliver their baby in a government hospital or a government-approved private hospital, instead of at home. The word “Janani” means mother, and “Suraksha” means safety — so JSY simply means “Safety of the Mother.”
The scheme was started on 12 April 2005. Its main goal is simple: fewer mothers and newborn babies should die during childbirth because of poor medical care or lack of money.
Why Was JSY Started?
Before this scheme, many women in villages gave birth at home without any doctor or nurse. This led to a high number of maternal deaths (mothers dying during delivery) and infant deaths (babies dying soon after birth). The government wanted to fix this problem by:
- Encouraging women to deliver in hospitals instead of at home
- Giving cash support so money is not a barrier to hospital delivery
- Connecting every pregnant woman with an ASHA worker for guidance
- Focusing extra help on states where hospital deliveries were low
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Janani Suraksha Yojana |
| Launched On | 12 April 2005 |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Ministry | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Run Under | National Health Mission (NHM) |
| Type of Scheme | Centrally Sponsored Scheme |
| Beneficiary | Pregnant women (mainly BPL, SC, ST) |
| Benefit Type | Direct cash assistance (DBT) |
| Main Aim | Reduce maternal and infant mortality |
| Delivery Agent | ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker |
Who Manages JSY?
JSY is a centrally sponsored scheme, meaning the central government sets the rules and gives most of the funds, while state health departments carry out the scheme on the ground. Every state has its own health mission office that manages payments, hospital tie-ups, and ASHA worker networks.
“Low Performing” and “High Performing” States
JSY gives higher cash amounts in states where hospital deliveries were historically low. These are called Low Performing States (LPS). States where hospital delivery numbers were already good are called High Performing States (HPS).
Low Performing States (LPS)
- Uttar Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
- Assam
- Rajasthan
- Odisha
- Jammu & Kashmir
High Performing States (HPS)
All remaining states and Union Territories of India fall under this group, including states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and others where institutional delivery rates were already strong.
JSY Eligibility Criteria
Not every woman automatically qualifies. The rules are slightly different for rural and urban areas, and for LPS and HPS states.
Who Can Apply
- Pregnant women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households
- Women belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities
- Women aged 19 years and above
- Women delivering in a government hospital, Community Health Centre (CHC), Primary Health Centre (PHC), or an accredited private hospital
- In LPS states, all pregnant women (regardless of income, age, or number of children) delivering in a hospital are eligible
- In HPS states, benefits are generally limited to BPL/SC/ST women and up to two live births
Who Cannot Apply
- Women below the age of 19 years
- Women delivering at home without medical supervision (except in specific tribal/remote areas where home delivery support exists)
- Women in HPS states who do not belong to BPL, SC, or ST category (with some state-level exceptions)
JSY Scheme Amount 2026
The cash benefit depends on two things: the type of state (LPS or HPS) and the area (rural or urban).
| Category | Rural Area | Urban Area |
|---|---|---|
| Low Performing States (LPS) | ₹1,400 | ₹1,000 |
| High Performing States (HPS) | ₹700 | ₹600 |
ASHA Worker Incentive
ASHA workers also get a small incentive for helping the woman reach the hospital safely, registering her pregnancy, and ensuring check-ups.
| ASHA Incentive | Rural Area | Urban Area |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | ₹600 | ₹400 |
Visual Comparison of Cash Benefit (Mother)
LPS – Rural ₹1,400 ████████████████████████████
LPS – Urban ₹1,000 ████████████████████
HPS – Rural ₹700 ██████████████
HPS – Urban ₹600 ████████████
This simple chart shows that rural women in Low Performing States get the highest support, since they are the priority group for the scheme.
How the Money Is Paid
All JSY payments are made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This means the money is sent straight to the woman’s bank account — no middlemen, no cash handling, and less chance of delay or fraud. This is why having a bank account linked with Aadhaar is compulsory for every applicant.
Additional Free Benefits Under JSSK
JSY works together with another scheme called Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK). Together, they make sure delivery is almost completely free for the mother.
| Free Service Under JSSK | Available? |
|---|---|
| Free delivery (normal & C-section) | Yes |
| Free medicines and consumables | Yes |
| Free diagnostic tests (blood, ultrasound) | Yes |
| Free diet during hospital stay | Yes |
| Free blood transfusion, if needed | Yes |
| Free transport (home to hospital and back) | Yes |
| Free treatment for sick newborns (up to 1 year) | Yes |
Documents Required for JSY
- Aadhaar Card of the pregnant woman
- BPL Certificate (if applicable)
- Caste Certificate (for SC/ST applicants)
- Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card
- Bank Passbook (Aadhaar-linked account)
- Hospital delivery certificate/discharge slip
- Passport-size photograph
- ASHA worker referral slip (where applicable)
How to Apply for JSY
Step-by-Step Offline Process
- Register your pregnancy at the nearest Anganwadi centre, PHC, or with your local ASHA worker as soon as possible.
- Get an MCP card made, which tracks your check-ups, vaccinations, and delivery details.
- Attend regular antenatal check-ups (ANC) as guided by the ASHA worker or hospital staff.
- Deliver the baby in a government or accredited private hospital.
- Collect the discharge certificate from the hospital after delivery.
- Submit documents (Aadhaar, bank passbook, discharge slip, BPL/caste certificate) to the hospital or ASHA worker.
- Receive the amount directly in your bank account through DBT, usually within a few weeks.
Checking Application or Payment Status
Most states allow beneficiaries to check their JSY payment status through the state health department’s website or by asking the ASHA worker to check on the NHM portal. There is no separate online application form for JSY in most states — enrollment happens through the ASHA worker and hospital record system.
Impact of JSY So Far
| Indicator | Before JSY (Approx.) | After JSY (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Deliveries | Low, especially in rural LPS states | Significantly increased nationwide |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) | Higher | Steadily declining over the years |
| Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) | Higher | Reduced due to hospital-based care |
| Role of ASHA Workers | Limited/undeveloped | Strong, well-established network |
Common Problems Faced by Beneficiaries
- Delay in receiving the cash amount after delivery
- Lack of awareness about the scheme in remote villages
- Difficulty in getting BPL or caste certificates on time
- Bank account or Aadhaar-linking errors causing payment failure
- Shortage of ASHA workers in some remote areas
Tips to Get Your JSY Benefit Without Delay
- Register your pregnancy early, ideally in the first trimester
- Keep your Aadhaar card linked to your bank account in advance
- Always deliver in a government-recognized hospital
- Stay in touch with your ASHA worker throughout the pregnancy
- Collect and safely keep the hospital discharge certificate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the full form of JSY?
JSY stands for Janani Suraksha Yojana, a maternal health scheme run by the Government of India.
Who launched the Janani Suraksha Yojana?
It was launched by the Government of India on 12 April 2005 under the National Health Mission.
How much money do I get under JSY?
Rural women in Low Performing States get ₹1,400, urban women in LPS get ₹1,000, rural women in High Performing States get ₹700, and urban women in HPS get ₹600.
Is JSY only for rural women?
No. JSY also covers women in urban areas, though the cash amount for urban beneficiaries is slightly lower than for rural beneficiaries.
Can women above two children still get the benefit?
In Low Performing States, all pregnant women delivering in a hospital are eligible regardless of the number of children. In High Performing States, the benefit is generally limited to the first two live births for BPL/SC/ST women.
Is there an age limit to apply for JSY?
Yes. A woman must be 19 years or older to receive JSY benefits.
Can JSY and PMMVYcovered under JSY?
Normally, no. JSY mainly promotes institutional (hospital) delivery. Home delivery support exists only in specific remote or tribal areas under special provisions.
How is the JSY amount paid?
The entire amount is paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) straight into the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Who helps me apply for JSY?
Your local ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker is your main point of contact for registration, guidance, and helping with paperwork.
Quick Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Application Form / Registration Guidance | Click Here |
| Official Site (National Health Mission) | Click Here |
| Other Yojana Info (PMMVY, JSSK, etc.) | Click Here |
| Home Page | Click Here |
| Check Payment Status | Click Here |
| Contact Your State Health Department | Click Here |