Objectives and Institutional Mandate
Launched under the National Health Mission (NHM), JSSK complements the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) by removing hidden hospitalization and treatment expenses that burden expectant mothers in rural and semi-urban communities.
The initiative establishes a direct statutory commitment that pregnant women delivering in public healthcare facilities incur zero expenses for hospital beds, drugs, blood transfusions, surgical procedures, or laboratory investigations.
- Zero Out-of-Pocket Expense: Eliminates user fees and hospital charges for maternity and neonatal hospital care.
- Comprehensive Facility Scope: Covers Sub-Centres, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Sub-District Hospitals, and District Hospitals.
- Complementary to JSY: Functions alongside Janani Suraksha Yojana cash transfer incentives for institutional delivery.
Complete Entitlements for Pregnant Mothers
Pregnant women accessing government healthcare institutions are entitled to free and cashless delivery, including normal deliveries and cesarean sections. All necessary medicines and consumables during hospital admission are supplied at no cost.
In addition, women are entitled to free clinical diagnostics (blood grouping, hemoglobin, urine tests, ultrasound), free dietary food during their hospital stay (up to 3 days for normal delivery and 7 days for C-section), and free blood transfusion facilities when indicated.
- Cashless Delivery & C-Section: Full institutional coverage without hospital admission fees or surgeon charges.
- Free Consumables & Medicines: Hospital pharmacies must supply all essential maternity medications without asking families to purchase outside.
- Emergency Patient Transport: Free transport from home to facility, inter-facility transfer in case of referral, and drop back home.
Entitlements for Sick Newborns and Infants
JSSK extends similar comprehensive entitlements to all sick newborns and infants accessing public health institutions up to one year after birth. Neonatal intensive care, phototherapy, oxygen support, and diagnostic screenings are delivered completely free of charge.
Families can access emergency toll-free dial-102 or dial-108 ambulance transport services to transfer sick neonates to district Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) without transport fees.
- Neonatal Hospital Care: Free inpatient treatment in SNCUs and Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSUs).
- Free Diagnostics & Drugs: Complete waiver on medicines and diagnostic lab work for infants up to one year.
- Referral Transport: Cashless ambulance transit between primary clinics and tertiary referral medical centers.
Official source
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National Health Mission (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the primary difference between JSY and JSSK?
JSY provides a cash incentive for institutional deliveries, whereas JSSK entitles pregnant women and sick infants to completely cashless hospital treatment, diagnostics, drugs, food, and transport.
Are Cesarean section deliveries free under JSSK?
Yes, both normal deliveries and Cesarean section operations are completely free of cost in all public healthcare institutions under JSSK.
How long are sick infants eligible for cashless care under JSSK?
Sick infants are entitled to free cashless treatment, medicines, diagnostics, and transport up to one year of age in government medical facilities.
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