Janani Suraksha Yojana 2026 guidelines are available to download in PDF format at nhm.gov.in. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe motherhood scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM) that gives cash support to poor pregnant women for institutional delivery. The scheme is still running in 2026 and registration is open for eligible women through their local health workers.
JSY was launched on 12 April 2005 and is a 100 percent centrally sponsored scheme. It integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care, and the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) works as the link between the government and pregnant women. The main aim is to reduce maternal and newborn deaths by pushing more poor families to deliver in hospitals.
Janani Suraksha Yojana 2026
The scheme focuses on the poor pregnant woman with special support for states that have low institutional delivery rates. These states are Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir. They are called Low Performing States (LPS), while the remaining states are called High Performing States (HPS).
Every registered beneficiary gets a JSY card along with a Mother and Child Health (MCH) card. The ASHA or the Anganwadi worker prepares a micro-birth plan for each pregnant woman to track her antenatal checkups, delivery and post-delivery care. The cash benefit is now paid directly to the mother's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) after delivery.
Cash Assistance for Institutional Delivery
The cash entitlement differs by state category and area. The mother's package in LPS states is ₹1,400 in rural areas and ₹1,000 in urban areas. In HPS states, the mother gets ₹700 in rural areas and ₹600 in urban areas. ASHA also gets a separate package for helping with registration, antenatal care and escorting the woman to the health centre.
| Category | Mother's Package (Rural) | Mother's Package (Urban) |
|---|---|---|
| LPS States | ₹1,400 | ₹1,000 |
| HPS States | ₹700 | ₹600 |
Eligibility for JSY Cash Assistance
| LPS States | All pregnant women delivering in government health centres like Sub-centre, PHC, CHC, FRU or general wards of district and state hospitals or accredited private institutions. |
| HPS States | BPL pregnant women, aged 19 years and above. |
| LPS and HPS | All SC and ST women delivering in a government health centre or accredited private institutions. |
In LPS states, the age limit and the two-child limit are removed, and no BPL or marriage certificate is needed if the woman delivers in a government or accredited private institution. In HPS states, a BPL certificate is required. Women who choose to deliver in an accredited private institution must carry a BPL or SC/ST certificate along with a referral slip from the ASHA or ANM.
How to Apply for Janani Suraksha Yojana
There is no separate online application form for JSY. The registration is done at the local health centre with the help of the ASHA worker. The steps are given below.
STEP 1 - Register the pregnancy at the nearest sub-centre, PHC or CHC before delivery to get a JSY or Mamta card.
STEP 2 - The ASHA worker helps with registration and prepares a micro-birth plan for the woman.
STEP 3 - Carry the Aadhaar card, JSY card and MCH card to all antenatal visits.
STEP 4 - Deliver at a government health facility or an accredited private institution to qualify for the cash incentive.
STEP 5 - Give the Aadhaar-linked bank account details so the cash incentive is transferred through DBT after delivery.
Documents Required
Keep the following documents ready when registering for the scheme.
- Aadhaar card for identity and DBT payment.
- JSY or Mamta card issued at the time of registration.
- MCH (Mother and Child Health) card for tracking antenatal care.
- Bank passbook with Aadhaar-linked account details.
- BPL or SC/ST certificate in HPS states.
Official Guidelines PDF
The full guidelines of Janani Suraksha Yojana are available on the official National Health Mission website. The guidelines PDF explains the eligibility, cash amounts, role of ASHA, disbursement process and reporting format. Download the guidelines from the official JSY page at National Health Mission Janani Suraksha Yojana.
For more details on maternity support, also check the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and the PM SUMAN Yojana.
FAQ's
How much cash does a woman get under JSY?
In LPS states, the mother gets ₹1,400 in rural areas and ₹1,000 in urban areas. In HPS states, she gets ₹700 in rural areas and ₹600 in urban areas. ASHA also gets a separate package.
Is a BPL certificate required for JSY?
No, in LPS states a BPL certificate is not needed if the woman delivers in a government or accredited private institution. In HPS states, a BPL certificate is required.
Can a woman get JSY benefit for delivery in a private hospital?
Yes, but only in an accredited private institution. She must carry a BPL or SC/ST certificate and a referral slip from the ASHA or ANM.
Where can I download the JSY guidelines PDF?
The guidelines PDF is available on the official National Health Mission website at nhm.gov.in.