Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

✦Key Features

• Cash incentive: ₹1,400 rural BPL + ₹300 transport + ₹600 ASHA; ₹1,000 urban BPL
• 1+ crore beneficiaries annually; institutional delivery rate up from 38% (2005) to 89%+ (2021)
• Focused on 10 Low Performing States (LPS): UP, UK, Bihar, Jharkhand, MP, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha, J&K
• ASHA accompanies woman to facility and gets incentive too
• MMR declined from 254 (2004-06) to 97 (2018-20) — JSY a key contributor
• Part of NHM; implemented through ASHAs, ANMs, PHCs
• Conditional cash transfer: payment only on institutional delivery

✓Eligibility Criteria

• Pregnant women from BPL, Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories in all states.
• All pregnant women in Low Performing States (LPS) who deliver in government or accredited private health facilities.
• Women must be at least 19 years of age at the time of delivery to avail of the cash incentive in certain states.
• The benefit is generally limited to the first two live births, except in Low Performing States where it covers all births.

★Benefits

• Cash assistance of Rs. 1,400 for rural areas and Rs. 600 for urban areas in Low Performing States.
• Financial incentives for ASHA workers to encourage and assist pregnant women with institutional deliveries.
• The scheme provides for transportation assistance to help the mother reach the health facility on time.
• Free medical care and essential drugs during the stay at the health facility for delivery.

▶Application Process

• Register with the local ASHA worker or at the nearest public health facility during the early stages of pregnancy.
• Obtain a Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card by attending regular antenatal check-ups (ANC).
• Provide bank account details and a copy of the BPL card to the health worker for Direct Benefit Transfer.
• Deliver the child in a public health institution or an accredited private facility to claim the post-delivery incentive.

₹ Budget Allocation

1600

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% Central Sector Scheme under National Health Mission.

Historical Context

Launched on April 12, 2005, modifying the National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS).

Sub-Schemes

Challenges

• Delay in cash incentive disbursement to mothers and ASHAs.
• High Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) despite the scheme.
• Poor infrastructure in Low Performing States (LPS) hindering quality care.
• Focus on delivery often ignores postnatal care (PNC).

Reforms & Recommendations

• Linking JSY payments directly to Aadhaar-enabled bank accounts to prevent delays.
• Standardization of 'Labour Rooms' under the LaQshya initiative.
• Increasing the incentive amount to match inflation.

Performance Statistics

SDG Linkages

Constitutional Backing

Technology Used

Success Stories

Key Takeaways

• Targeted at BPL, SC, and ST pregnant women.
• Focus on Low Performing States (LPS) like UP, Bihar, Rajasthan.
• ASHA is the primary link for identification and mobilization.

Convergence Schemes

• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
• SUMAN

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