Summary

  • Launch & Core Objective: Launched on 1 June 2011 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) is an entitlement-based scheme designed to achieve 100% institutional deliveries with zero out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE), ultimately aiming to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
  • Target Beneficiaries: The scheme provides completely free, cashless services to all pregnant women delivering in public health facilities (regardless of economic status) and sick newborns (0–30 days).
  • Key Entitlements: Services include free deliveries (including C-sections), drugs, diagnostics, blood transfusions, nutritional diets (up to 3 days for normal delivery, 7 days for C-section, and for mothers of sick newborns), and free multi-way transport (pick-up, inter-facility referral, and drop-back).
  • Implementation & Integration: Operating across all public health tiers, JSSK converges with key healthcare initiatives like FBNC (SNCU links), RBSK, ABDM (for digital tracking), and the 108/102 ambulance networks.
  • Impact & 2026 Updates: The scheme benefits over 2.5 crore individuals annually, driving down delivery costs to zero. Recent 2025–26 updates include full ABDM integration for digital cards, expanded transport fleets, and post-discharge immunization tracking via U-WIN.

Introduction

  • Launched on 1 June 2011 by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under National Health Mission (NHM)
  • Entitlement-based scheme providing completely free and cashless services to all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions and to sick newborns up to 30 days of life
  • Objective:
    • Eliminate out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on maternal and newborn care,
    • promote institutional deliveries and
    • reduce maternal and neonatal mortality
  • Synergistic with Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) for cash incentive + JSSK for free services

Objectives

  • Ensure 100% institutional deliveries with zero OOPE
  • Provide comprehensive free care to sick newborns (0–30 days)
  • Strengthen continuum of care from community to facility and back
  • Reduce three-delays model barriers (especially delay in reaching & receiving care)
  • Contribute to SDG targets of MMR <70 and NMR <12 by 2030

Target Beneficiaries

  • All pregnant women delivering in public health facilities (PHC/CHC/DH/Medical College) irrespective of BPL/APL status
  • Sick newborns (0–30 days) born in public facilities or referred from community (HBNC/ASHA)
  • Includes C-section, complications of pregnancy, and any illness in newborn

Package of Services (4 Free Entitlements)

For Pregnant Women & Postpartum Mothers

  • Free normal delivery including C-section and management of complications
  • Free drugs, consumables, diagnostics (blood, urine, USG, etc.)
  • Free diet (3 meals + snacks for 3 days normal / 7 days C-section)
  • Free blood transfusion if required
  • Free transport (pick-up from home to facility + drop-back home + referral transport)

For Sick Newborns (0–30 days)

  • Free treatment of any illness (sepsis, jaundice, respiratory distress, asphyxia, LBW, etc.)
  • Free drugs, diagnostics, blood products, phototherapy, CPAP (as per FBNC levels)
  • Free diet for accompanying mother
  • Free transport (to facility, inter-facility referral, drop-back)

Implementation Mechanism

  • Operational at all public health facilities (from Sub-Centre delivery points to Medical Colleges)
  • 108/102/ambulance services strengthened for free transport
  • No user charges; displayed prominently in all facilities
  • Convergence with:
    • Facility-Based Newborn Care (FBNC): NBCC–NBSU–SNCU linkage
    • RBSK: Birth defect screening at delivery points
    • SAANS: Pneumonia management
    • ABDM: Digital entitlement tracking via ABHA
    • MusQan: Quality certification of maternal-newborn services

Monitoring & Reporting

  • Real-time tracking through HMIS and ABDM portal
  • Monthly reporting of beneficiaries, transport calls and OOPE saved
  • District-level review by District Health Society
  • Independent evaluation through NFHS and SRS data

Impact & Recent Developments (2026)

  • 2.5 crore beneficiaries availed free services annually

  • Significant reduction in OOPE on institutional delivery (from >₹3000 to zero)
  • Neonatal mortality decline accelerated by timely transport and free care
  • 2025–26 updates: Full ABDM integration for digital entitlement card; expanded transport fleet; linkage with U-WIN for post-discharge immunization
  • Continued focus on high-burden districts and tribal areas