Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Benefits, Eligibility, Amount and How to Apply (2026 Guide)

TL;DR

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a Government of India scheme under the National Health Mission that gives cash assistance to pregnant women for delivering their baby in a hospital (institutional delivery). Its goal is to reduce maternal and newborn deaths by encouraging safe, supervised deliveries (NHM, Govt of India)。 The cash amount depends on your state category and whether you are in a rural or urban area. In Low Performing States, a mother gets ₹1,400 (rural) or ₹1,000 (urban); in High Performing States, eligible mothers get ₹700 (rural) or ₹600 (urban). ASHA workers also receive an incentive for helping. You are generally eligible if you are 19 or older and deliver in a government or accredited health facility. It is a separate scheme from PMMVY, and you may benefit from both.

Quick Answer

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a central government scheme that gives cash assistance to pregnant women who deliver in a government or accredited hospital, to encourage safe institutional delivery. The amount depends on your state category and rural/urban area: mothers in Low Performing States get ₹1,400 (rural) or ₹1,000 (urban); in High Performing States, eligible mothers get ₹700 (rural) or ₹600 (urban). You are generally eligible if you are 19 or older. JSY is separate from PMMVY, and you may get both.

Author: Mylo Parenting Desk (Government Schemes & Maternity Care) Information source: National Health Mission (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Government of India) (nhm.gov.in) Last updated: 11 June 2026

Important Note: This article explains the JSY scheme for general information. Benefit amounts, state categories and rules are set by the Government of India and can change over time. Always confirm current details with your ASHA worker, ANM, or nearest government health facility, or the official NHM website.

Key Takeaways

• JSY is a central government scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM)
• Its goal is to promote institutional (hospital) delivery and reduce maternal/infant deaths
• Cash amount depends on state category (LPS or HPS) and rural/urban
• Low Performing States: ₹1,400 (rural) or ₹1,000 (urban) for the mother
• High Performing States: ₹700 (rural) or ₹600 (urban) for eligible mothers
• ASHA workers get an incentive for helping the mother
• Generally for women aged 19 and above
• It is separate from PMMVY; you may benefit from both

What Is Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)?

JSY is a safe-motherhood scheme launched by the Government of India in 2005, run under the National Health Mission (NHM) (NHM)。 It gives cash assistance to pregnant women who deliver their baby in a government or accredited private hospital.

Its main aims are to:

1. Encourage institutional (hospital) delivery among poor pregnant women
2. Reduce maternal and newborn mortality
3. Ensure deliveries happen with trained health staff and proper facilities

The scheme is 100% centrally funded and integrates cash assistance with antenatal care and delivery.

How Much Money Do You Get Under JSY? (Amount)

The cash benefit depends on your state category and rural or urban area (NHM):

The money is meant to support the mother around the time of a safe, hospital-based delivery.

ASHA Worker Incentive Under JSY

The ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) who helps the mother also receives an incentive, especially in rural areas of Low Performing States (NHM):

The ASHA plays a key role in guiding the mother through pregnancy check-ups, hospital delivery and after-care.

Which Are the Low Performing States (LPS)?

"Low Performing States" are those that historically had lower rates of institutional delivery, so JSY gives them higher benefits and wider eligibility (NHM):

LPS: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Jammu & Kashmir.

HPS (High Performing States): All the remaining states and union territories.

This is why the benefit and eligibility rules differ by state.

Who Is Eligible for JSY? (Eligibility Criteria)

Eligibility depends on your state category (NHM):

Other general points:

• Usually for up to two live births
• The woman should be 19 years or older
• Delivery should be in a government or accredited health facility (for the institutional benefit)

A small home-delivery cash benefit (around ₹500) may also apply to eligible BPL women aged 19+ in specific cases, ask your ASHA worker.

What Documents Are Needed for JSY?

You typically need (NHM):

1. JSY card (given at registration)
2. Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card
3. Aadhaar card
4. Bank account details (for direct transfer)
5. BPL certificate or SC/ST certificate (in High Performing States)
6. Delivery certificate from the hospital

Keep these ready and register your pregnancy early with your ASHA worker or health centre.

How to Apply for JSY (Step by Step)

1. Register your pregnancy early with your ASHA worker, ANM, or nearest government health facility
2. Get your JSY card and MCP card filled in
3. Attend your antenatal check-ups
4. Deliver in a government or accredited health facility
5. Receive the cash assistance (often at the time of discharge, or via bank transfer)

Your ASHA worker will guide you through the whole process, including registration, check-ups, hospital delivery and claiming the benefit.

JSY vs PMMVY: What Is the Difference?

These are two different schemes, and a woman may benefit from both (Mylo):

➡️ Related reads: How a pregnant woman can get government support and Benefits under PMSMA

Indian Context: What Expecting Mothers Should Know

1. Register early: Contact your ASHA worker as soon as you know you are pregnant (NHM)
2. Deliver in a facility: The JSY benefit is designed to encourage safe hospital delivery, which protects both mother and baby
3. Know your state category: Your benefit and eligibility depend on whether you are in an LPS or HPS
4. Keep documents ready: JSY card, MCP card, Aadhaar, bank account (and BPL/SC-ST proof in HPS)
5. It is free: Never pay any agent; apply through your ASHA worker or government health facility
6. Combine with other schemes: You may also be eligible for PMMVY and PMSMA, ask your health worker

Myths vs Facts About JSY

FAQs: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

What is Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)?

JSY is a Government of India scheme under the National Health Mission that gives cash assistance to pregnant women who deliver in a government or accredited hospital (NHM)。 Its aim is to promote safe institutional delivery and reduce maternal and newborn deaths.

JSY mein kitne paise milte hain? (Hinglish)

JSY mein paise aapke state category aur rural/urban area par depend karte hain. Low Performing States mein maa ko ₹1,400 (rural) ya ₹1,000 (urban) milte hain. High Performing States mein eligible maa ko ₹700 (rural) ya ₹600 (urban) milte hain. Yeh paise hospital (institutional) delivery ke liye milte hain. ASHA worker ko bhi incentive milta hai.

How much money does JSY give?

It depends on your state and area: mothers in Low Performing States get ₹1,400 (rural) or ₹1,000 (urban), and eligible mothers in High Performing States get ₹700 (rural) or ₹600 (urban) (NHM)。 The benefit is for delivering in a government or accredited health facility.

JSY ke liye kaun eligible hai? (Hinglish)

Low Performing States mein 19 saal ya usse zyada umar ki sabhi pregnant women jo government ya accredited hospital mein delivery karti hain, eligible hain. High Performing States mein mukhya roop se BPL aur SC/ST category ki 19+ women eligible hain. Aam taur par yeh do live births tak ke liye hota hai. ASHA worker aapko guide karenge.

Who is eligible for JSY?

In Low Performing States, all pregnant women aged 19+ delivering in a government or accredited facility are eligible (NHM)。 In High Performing States, mainly BPL and SC/ST women aged 19+ are eligible. It generally applies to up to two live births.

How do I apply for JSY?

Register your pregnancy early with your ASHA worker or nearest government health facility, get your JSY and MCP cards, attend antenatal check-ups, and deliver in a government or accredited hospital (NHM)。 The cash assistance is given around delivery, often via bank transfer.

Is JSY the same as PMMVY?

No. JSY promotes institutional (hospital) delivery with cash assistance, while PMMVY is a separate maternity cash benefit (₹5,000 for the first child) (Mylo)。 A woman may benefit from both schemes.

Do I have to pay anything to get JSY?

No. JSY is completely free. Never pay any agent or middleman (NHM)。 Apply through your ASHA worker or government health facility.

References

1. National Health Mission (NHM), Govt of India. "Janani Suraksha Yojana." https://nhm.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=3&lid=309&sublinkid=841
2. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Government of India). https://mohfw.gov.in/
3. Government of Assam. "Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)." https://sivasagar.assam.gov.in/scheme-page/janani-suraksha-yojana-jsy
4. Government of Uttar Pradesh, District Jalaun. "Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)." https://jalaun.nic.in/scheme/janani-suraksha-yojana-jsy/