The Central Government’s Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) is an entitlement-based programme for pregnant women and newborn babies. It was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 1 June 2011 under the National Health Mission (NHM). Under this programme, delivery in a government health facility — including C-section — is completely free and cashless. Its purpose is that no woman should be deprived of safe delivery and treatment for lack of money.
What is free during delivery
During delivery in a government hospital, all drugs and consumables are free. All diagnostics are free — blood and urine tests, including ultrasound (USG). If needed, blood transfusion is also free. All user charges are waived during delivery — the mother does not have to pay for any service. Free diet is given for up to 3 days for normal delivery and up to 7 days for C-section delivery. All of this is available to every pregnant woman who delivers in a government facility — there is no condition of income, caste or number of deliveries.
Free transport facility
Under JSSK, transport from home to the hospital is free. If a patient is referred from one hospital to another, that inter-facility transport is also free. The facility of being dropped back home after 48 hours of delivery is also free. A woman from a village does not have to bear the cost of a vehicle to reach the hospital — this arrangement is made through the government health facility. If transport is not immediately available at a facility, contact the staff there; this facility is part of the programme.
Free treatment for newborns
The programme provides free treatment for sick newborns and infants up to one year of age. Initially, this facility was only for babies up to 30 days old, but in 2014 it was extended to one year. Since 2014, treatment of antenatal and post-natal complications (ANC/PNC complications) is also covered. That means care before, during and after delivery is free for both the mother and the baby.
Different from JSY and PMMVY
Do not confuse JSSK with the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). JSY gives a cash incentive for delivery and PMMVY gives cash assistance for the first child, while under JSSK no cash amount is given — services are free. All three schemes can apply together: a woman can take PMMVY’s cash assistance and also receive JSSK’s free services. No application form has to be filled for JSSK — the entitlement applies automatically when delivery takes place in a government hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is delivery completely free under JSSK?
A: Yes — normal and C-section delivery, medicines, tests, blood, food and transport in a government hospital are all free.
Q2: Is there any income or caste condition?
A: No — it is a universal entitlement; every pregnant woman delivering in a government facility is eligible.
Q3: For how long is a newborn’s treatment free?
A: Treatment of sick newborns and infants up to one year of age is free.
Q4: How do I apply?
A: No form has to be filled — the facility applies automatically on delivery in a government hospital; see nhm.gov.in for information.
Useful links
- National Health Mission (NHM): https://nhm.gov.in/
- Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/jssk
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — /english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
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