Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): Free Maternal and Newborn Care
A government scheme that entitles every pregnant woman and sick newborn in India to completely free treatment, including free transport, at public health institutions.
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Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) is a National Health Mission scheme that guarantees free care for pregnant women and sick newborns at government health facilities, and it's one of the least-known schemes relative to how much it actually covers.
What's Covered for Pregnant Women
For pregnant women, JSSK entitles free delivery (including caesarean section where needed), free drugs and consumables, free diagnostics, free blood where required, free diet during the hospital stay, and free transport from home to the health institution, between facilities in case of referral, and back home after discharge.
What's Covered for Newborns
For sick newborns (up to 30 days after birth), the same entitlements apply: free treatment, free drugs and consumables, free diagnostics, free blood, and free transport.
The 102 Ambulance Connection
The 102 ambulance service is the transport arm most closely associated with JSSK, a dedicated, free ambulance service for exactly this situation, separate from the general-purpose 108 emergency ambulance.
These entitlements apply at public health facilities, and the scheme exists specifically to remove the out-of-pocket costs that otherwise push families away from institutional delivery and toward risk. If a hospital or health worker isn't offering these free services during a covered pregnancy or newborn emergency, it's worth asking directly whether JSSK applies, many eligible families simply aren't told.
Official sources
This guide is informational, not medical or legal advice. Rules and numbers change; always confirm current details with the official sources above. Questions about your own case? Contact our team.