Janani Suraksha Yojana: Benefits, Eligibility, and How to Register in 2025
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a centrally sponsored safe motherhood intervention under the National Health Mission (NHM) that provides cash incentives to pregnant women from BPL and SC/ST households for delivering in government or accredited private health facilities, with the incentive ranging from ₹600 to ₹1,400 depending on the state and area. Administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and implemented through ASHA workers at the village level, JSY aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery. This page covers the cash incentive amounts, eligibility, how to register, ASHA worker role, and UPSC-relevant facts.
What is Janani Suraksha Yojana?
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2005 under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), now the National Health Mission (NHM), by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The scheme was introduced to address India's high maternal and infant mortality rates, which were significantly linked to the low proportion of deliveries in health facilities.
JSY incentivises institutional delivery by providing direct cash transfers to pregnant women who deliver in government hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres, or accredited private health facilities. The scheme also incentivises ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers, who serve as the frontline interface, registering pregnant women, accompanying them to health facilities, and ensuring post-natal follow-up. JSY is implemented in all states and Union Territories, with higher benefit rates in Low Performing States (LPS), Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Jammu & Kashmir, compared to High Performing States (HPS).
Key Benefits of Janani Suraksha Yojana
Cash Incentive to the Mother
| State Category | Area | Eligible Category | Cash Incentive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Performing States (LPS) | Rural | All pregnant women | ₹1,400 |
| Low Performing States (LPS) | Urban | All pregnant women | ₹1,000 |
| High Performing States (HPS) | Rural | BPL / SC / ST women | ₹700 |
| High Performing States (HPS) | Urban | BPL / SC / ST women | ₹600 |
ASHA Worker Incentive (Separate from Beneficiary Amount)
| State Category | Area | ASHA Incentive per Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Low Performing States (LPS) | Rural | ₹600 |
| Low Performing States (LPS) | Urban | ₹200 |
| High Performing States (HPS) | Rural | ₹300 |
| High Performing States (HPS) | Urban | ₹200 |
Additional ASHA incentive of ₹300 is paid for facilitating sterilisation post-delivery where applicable. State governments may add additional top-ups.
Low Performing States (LPS) vs High Performing States (HPS)
| Category | States |
|---|---|
| Low Performing States (LPS), higher JSY benefit | Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir (and all North Eastern states) |
| High Performing States (HPS), standard JSY benefit | All other states including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh |
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | 19 years and above at time of delivery |
| Birth order | All live births eligible in LPS states; only first two live births eligible in HPS states (for BPL/SC/ST women) |
| Facility type | Delivery must be in a government health facility or an accredited private institution |
| Category, LPS states | All pregnant women (no income/caste restriction) |
| Category, HPS states | BPL, SC, or ST women only |
| ASHA linkage | Registration with ASHA worker strongly recommended for smooth benefit disbursal |
| Aadhaar linkage | Aadhaar-linked bank account required for DBT cash transfer |
Eligibility is subject to revision. Verify with your local ASHA worker, ANM, or at the nearest government health facility.
Documents Required
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar card | Identity and DBT-linked bank account verification |
| BPL ration card / income certificate | Required in HPS states to confirm BPL status |
| SC/ST certificate | Required in HPS states if claiming category benefit |
| Ante-natal care (ANC) card / Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card | Confirms antenatal registration and health check-up history |
| Bank passbook (Aadhaar-linked) | For cash incentive DBT credit |
| JSY beneficiary card (issued by ASHA / ANM) | Identifies JSY-registered beneficiary at the health facility |
How to Register for Janani Suraksha Yojana
JSY registration is not done through an online portal, it is handled through the frontline health system.
Step 1, Register with Your ASHA Worker
- Contact your local ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker, she operates at the village or ward level
- Inform her of your pregnancy as early as possible (ideally in the first trimester)
- The ASHA worker registers you under JSY and guides you through the antenatal care process
Step 2, Complete Antenatal Check-Ups (ANC)
- Attend all scheduled antenatal check-ups at the Sub-Centre, PHC, or CHC, at least 4 ANC visits are recommended
- Ensure your ANC card / MCP card is maintained and updated after each visit
Step 3, Institutional Delivery
- Deliver at a government hospital, PHC, CHC, District Hospital, or accredited private facility
- Your ASHA worker accompanies you to the facility
- Inform the facility staff about your JSY registration
Step 4, Cash Incentive Disbursement
- Cash incentive is credited to your Aadhaar-linked bank account after the delivery is registered
- In some states, the incentive is handed over in cash at the facility at the time of discharge, check the practice in your state
- ASHA worker is also paid her incentive after confirming the delivery
PaisaOne does not process JSY registrations. Register through your local ASHA worker or visit the nearest government health facility.
How to Check JSY Benefit Status or Raise a Grievance
- Contact your ASHA worker or the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) at your nearest Sub-Centre for payment status
- Visit the Primary Health Centre (PHC) or CHC where you delivered for payment follow-up
- NHM State helpline: Available through your state's NHM website (varies by state)
- National health helpline: 104 (toll-free; available in most states for health facility-related queries)
- Grievance: pgportal.gov.in under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
JSY covers delivery costs at government hospitals, but maternity expenses for private hospitals, post-delivery care, and newborn health needs can add up quickly. Compare health insurance plans from 20+ insurers on PaisaOne to ensure your maternity costs are covered end-to-end.
Janani Suraksha Yojana, UPSC Key Facts
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Janani Suraksha Yojana |
| Launch year | 2005 |
| Launched under | National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), now NHM |
| Nodal ministry | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Implementing mechanism | ASHA workers at village level; ANMs at sub-centre level |
| Type | Centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) |
| Objective | Reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery |
| Coverage | All states and UTs; higher benefits in LPS states |
| LPS states | UP, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Assam, J&K, NE states |
| ASHA full form | Accredited Social Health Activist |
| Benefit mode | DBT to Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Companion scheme | Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), additional ₹5,000–₹6,000 for 1st/2nd child |
| Key revision | Extended to urban areas; Aadhaar-DBT introduced for cash transfer |
| NITI Aayog link | JSY outcomes monitored under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) targets |
State-Wise Implementation of Janani Suraksha Yojana
| State | Category | Cash Incentive (Rural) | State-Specific Additions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | LPS | ₹1,400 | State JSY Plus scheme adds additional support for high-risk deliveries; JSY convergence with Mukhyamantri Samagra Gramya Vikas Yojana |
| Bihar | LPS | ₹1,400 | JEEViKA-linked ASHA network; state adds Mamta kit for newborn care |
| Rajasthan | LPS | ₹1,400 | Rajasthan Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (RJSSK) adds free transport, medicines, diagnostics |
| Madhya Pradesh | LPS | ₹1,400 | Prasuti Sahayata Yojana (state scheme) adds ₹4,000 for BPL women, total cash support ₹5,400 |
| Odisha | LPS | ₹1,400 | Mamata Diwa's scheme for early ANC registration convergence |
| Maharashtra | HPS | ₹700 | Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) covers free meals, transport, diagnostics at state hospitals |
| Tamil Nadu | HPS | ₹700 | Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme adds ₹18,000 state top-up |
| Andhra Pradesh | HPS | ₹700 | YSR Sampoorna Poshana adds nutrition support; JSY converges with Aarogyasri |
| West Bengal | HPS | ₹700 | Swasthya Sathi integration; state adds additional delivery incentive under Swasthya Shakti |
| Karnataka | HPS | ₹700 | Prasuti Araike adds state nutritional incentive; JSY convergence with Arogya Karnataka |
What is Janani Suraksha Yojana and who is it for? Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a centrally sponsored safe motherhood scheme launched in 2005 under the National Health Mission by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It provides cash incentives to pregnant women who deliver in government or accredited private health facilities to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery. In Low Performing States, all pregnant women are eligible; in High Performing States, BPL, SC, and ST women qualify. Benefits range from ₹600 to ₹1,400 depending on state and area.
What are the main benefits of Janani Suraksha Yojana? JSY provides a direct cash incentive of ₹1,400 (rural, Low Performing States) to ₹600 (urban, High Performing States) to mothers who deliver in a health facility. ASHA workers receive a separate incentive of ₹200–₹600 for facilitating the delivery. The cash is transferred directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account post-delivery. Many states layer additional benefits on top, Tamil Nadu's Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy scheme adds ₹18,000, and MP's Prasuti Sahayata Yojana adds ₹4,000.
Who is eligible for Janani Suraksha Yojana? Pregnant women aged 19 years and above who deliver in a government or accredited private health facility are eligible. In Low Performing States, UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP, Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and J&K, all pregnant women qualify regardless of income or category. In High Performing States, eligibility is restricted to BPL, SC, and ST women, and typically to the first two live births.
How do I register for Janani Suraksha Yojana? JSY registration is done through the frontline health system, not an online portal. Contact your local ASHA worker as early in your pregnancy as possible; she will register you under JSY and ensure antenatal check-ups are completed. Deliver at a government health facility or accredited private hospital. The cash incentive is credited to your Aadhaar-linked bank account after the delivery is registered. If you do not have an ASHA contact, visit your nearest PHC or Sub-Centre.
