JSSK in India: Free Delivery and Newborn Care
Understand JSSK’s free public-facility delivery and infant-care entitlements, including tests, medicines, blood and transport, and what to do if a charge or referral is unclear.
In this guide
What does JSSK provide to pregnant women?
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) sets out free, cashless entitlements for pregnant women delivering in public health institutions. The National Health Mission lists normal delivery and caesarean section, medicines and consumables, diagnostics, blood where required, diet during the stay, exemption from user charges and transport. It is a service entitlement, not a cash transfer like JSY.
Delivery and caesarean care are included
The NHM describes free delivery and C-section in public institutions. If a procedure or referral is explained to you, ask the clinician to describe the reason, choices, risks and next steps in language you understand. Immediate treatment should not be delayed while a family tries to resolve a billing question.
Ask about medicines, tests, blood and diet
The listed package includes free drugs and consumables, diagnostics, blood where required, diet during the stay and exemption from user charges. The NHM page describes diet for three days after normal delivery and seven days after C-section. Ask the facility’s JSSK or patient-help contact how to access each item and record any charge requested.
Transport is part of the listed entitlement
The scheme lists transport from home to a health institution, between facilities when referred, and drop-back home. Ask the ASHA or facility whom to call and what details to provide. If the local ambulance number differs, request the current district contact rather than relying on an old phone number.
| Facility and admission date | Service or item needed | Transport/referral contact | Charge or receipt details | Person and office for follow-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
What care is covered for a sick newborn or infant?
The programme includes care for sick infants
NHM information describes free treatment, drugs, diagnostics, blood where required, exemption from user charges and transport for sick infants accessing public facilities, expanded up to one year after birth. If a baby is unwell, seek clinical care promptly; do not wait to settle scheme paperwork first.
Ask for a referral destination and transport plan
If the first facility cannot provide the needed treatment, ask the doctor where the infant should go, who will arrange referral transport and how the receiving facility will be informed. Keep the referral slip and discharge or transfer record where possible.
Clarify what ‘free’ means for the service being provided
If you are asked to buy a medicine, test or transport that you believe is part of JSSK, ask the facility to explain whether it is available there, whether there is an alternative and whom to contact about the charge. Keep the bill or receipt and note the date; do not interrupt urgent treatment to debate a fee.
If a JSSK entitlement is not available or a charge is requested
Speak with the facility’s patient-help or scheme contact
Ask for the medical superintendent’s office, JSSK nodal person, patient-help desk or facility grievance contact. State the item requested, the date, the amount and whether treatment is urgent. Ask whether the service can be supplied at the facility or through a referral.
Keep records and ask the district health team to follow up
Save the bill, prescription, test order, referral slip, transport request and any written response. Ask the facility or district health office how to file a grievance under the current State process. Do not share patient identifiers publicly while seeking a resolution.
Use emergency support for immediate danger
JSSK is a health-facility entitlement, not an emergency dispatch line. For a life-threatening emergency, seek the nearest emergency medical service and call 112 where available. A scheme or billing complaint can be raised once immediate care is underway.
JSSK free delivery and infant care: FAQs
Is JSSK available only to women receiving JSY?
The NHM describes JSSK entitlements for all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions. It is separate from JSY cash-assistance eligibility. Confirm the current service with the public facility where you plan to receive care.
Does JSSK cover a caesarean section?
The NHM lists free C-section among the JSSK entitlements at public health institutions. Ask the clinical team to explain the care plan and the facility contact if a charge is raised.
Does JSSK give cash to the mother?
No. JSSK describes free services and transport at public health institutions. JSY is the separate programme that provides cash assistance to eligible women for institutional delivery.
How long are sick infants covered?
Current NHM materials describe JSSK support for sick infants up to one year of age at public health institutions. Ask the treating facility which items and transport arrangements apply to the infant’s situation.
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Sources and publication record
Draft prepared 27 September 2026; medical and human Hindi editorial review pending · Sources checked .
- Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram: current maternal and infant entitlementsNational Health Mission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Emergency Response Support System 112Ministry of Home Affairs
- Janani Suraksha Yojana: eligibility and institutional-delivery assistanceNational Health Mission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare