Atal Pension Yojana 2026

The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) provides absolutely free and cashless delivery services for pregnant women at Read More... government health centres. It also covers free treatment for sick newborns and infants. Read less

Details

In India, ensuring the health of mothers and newborns is a top priority. The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) is a significant initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to achieve this. Launched in 2011, this scheme ensures that pregnant women and sick infants receive comprehensive care without any financial burden.

What Is This Scheme?

JSSK is designed to remove financial barriers for essential maternal and child healthcare. It ensures that pregnant women and sick newborns or infants up to 30 days old get free services, from delivery to post-delivery care, all at government health institutions. This includes everything from diagnostics and medicines to diet and transport, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The primary beneficiaries of this scheme are:

All pregnant women who access services at government health facilities.
Sick newborns and infants up to 30 days of age who are admitted to public health institutions.

Why This Scheme Is Important

This program plays a crucial role in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in India. By making healthcare free and accessible, it encourages more women to seek institutional delivery. It also ensures that sick newborns receive timely and critical medical attention, giving them a better chance at survival and a healthy start in life.

Objective

The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) provides absolutely free and cashless delivery services for pregnant women at government health centres. It also covers free treatment for sick newborns and infants.

Benefits

Upon exit on attaining 60 years

The subscriber shall receive the following three benefits on attaining the age of 60:

(i) Guaranteed minimum pension amount:Each subscriber under APY shall receive a guaranteed minimum pension of Rs. 1000/- per month or Rs. 2000/- per month or Rs. 3000/- per month or Rs. 4000/- per month or Rs. 5000/- per month, after the age of 60 years until death.

(ii) Guaranteed minimum pension amount to the spouse:After the subscriber’s demise, the spouse of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the same pension amount as that of the subscriber,until death.

(iii) Return of the pension wealth to the nominee of the subscriber:After the demise of both the subscriber and the spouse, the nominee of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the pension wealth, as accumulated till the subscriber's age of 60 years.

Contributions to the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) are eligible for tax benefits similar to the National Pension System (NPS) under section 80CCD(1).

Voluntary exit (Exit before 60 Years of age):

The subscriber shall be refunded only the contributions made by him to APY alongwith the net actual accrued income earned on his contributions (after deducting the account maintenance charges).

However, in case of subscribers who joined the scheme before 31st March 2016 and have received the Government Co-Contribution, shall not receive the same including the accrued income earned thereon.

For death before 60 years

Option 1:In case of death of the subscriber before 60 years, option will be available to the spouse of the subscriber to continue contribution in the APY account of the subscriber, which can be maintained in the spouse’s name, for the remaining vesting period, till the original subscriber would have attained the age of 60 years. The spouse of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the same pension amount as the subscriber until death of the spouse. Such APY account and pension amount would be in addition even if the spouse has his/her APY account and pension amount in own name.

Option 2:The entire accumulated pension corpus till date under APY will be returned to the spouse / nominee.

Sources and references

Scheme Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

To avail the benefits under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, individuals must meet the following conditions:

The beneficiary must be a pregnant woman seeking services at a government health facility.
The beneficiary must be a sick newborn or infant up to 30 days of age admitted to a public health institution.

How To Apply

There is no formal application process to fill out forms beforehand. You can directly avail the benefits by visiting a government health facility. Simply seek admission and inform the healthcare providers about your pregnancy or the condition of your sick infant. All the necessary services will be provided free of cost as per the scheme guidelines.

For further details or in case of any issues, you can contact the nearest government health institution.

Documents Required

While no specific application form is required to start receiving benefits, certain documents might be helpful for record-keeping and verification at the health facility. These may include:

Aadhaar Number
Address Proof
Domicile Certificate
Ration Card
Janani Suraksha Card (if issued)

FAQ’s

Can I get free medicines under JSSK?

Yes, absolutely! All essential drugs and medical supplies are provided free of cost to both pregnant women and sick newborns/infants under this scheme.

What kind of transport support is available?

The scheme provides free transport from your home to the health facility, and also between facilities if you need to be referred. Plus, you get free transport back home after discharge.

Is Caesarean section covered for free?

Yes, indeed. Delivery, including Caesarean sections, is completely free of cost for eligible pregnant women at government health institutions.

How long will a pregnant woman receive free food?

A free diet is provided during the hospital stay. This is for up to 3 days for a normal delivery and up to 7 days for a Caesarean section.

Is there a specific age limit for the newborn to be covered?

Yes, sick newborns and infants are covered under the scheme up to 30 days after their birth, provided they are admitted to a public health facility.

What is the main goal of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram?

The primary goal is to offer completely free and cashless delivery services for pregnant women and free treatment for sick newborns and infants at government health facilities, eliminating financial burdens.

Does the scheme cover free diagnostic tests?

Yes, essential diagnostic tests, including blood tests, urine tests, and ultrasonography, are provided free of charge.

If I'm pregnant with twins, can I still get benefits?

Yes, if you are expecting twins, you are still eligible to receive all the benefits provided under this scheme.

How do I apply for this scheme?

You don't need to apply in advance. Simply visit any government health facility for delivery or if your newborn is sick. You can directly avail the services there.

Does the scheme cover the cost of blood if needed?

Yes, if blood transfusion is required for either the mother or the newborn, it is provided free of cost under the JSSK scheme.

What if I joined the public hospital when I was 8 months pregnant? Am I still eligible?

Yes, you are fully eligible to receive all the benefits of this scheme, regardless of when you joined the public health facility during your pregnancy.

Is free food provided to mothers during their hospital stay?

Yes, a free diet is provided to pregnant women during their stay in government health institutions.