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Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) was launched in April 2005, to promote institutional deliveries through provision of cash assistance, transport, escort, and referral services. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the antenatal registrations, postnatal checkups, and institutional deliveries, and to compare the various social groups. Married women of the reproductive age group, having at least two children, were interviewed regarding antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care in both pregnancies, latest as well as previous. Post JSY implementation, antenatal registrations increased from 61.79 to 96.34%, Deliveries at the Government Health Facility increased from 25.20 to 53.25% and postnatal check-ups increased from 45.93 to 69.51%. In the post-JSY-implementation phase, the Government Health Facility was preferred more by Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) (SC/ST = 56.87%, OBC = 60.2%, and general = 43.68%), educated (Illiterate = 17.39%, Primary = 88.14, and Middle or above = 81.94%) and the lower socioeconomic classes (Lower SEC 71.83% and Upper lower and above = 45.71%) for their deliveries. It appears that the socially backward groups have benefited more from JSY.

Background: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a maternal protection scheme that promotes institutional delivery by providing cash incentive to the mothers who deliver their babies in a health facility. With the purpose of improving maternal and neo-natal mortality and morbidity indicators, the investment and emphasis on JSY is continued. Utilization pattern and perception in the community regarding a particular health program is important to study for assessing the success or failure of the program. Objectives: To assess the utilization of JSY and its perception among mothers and health care providers. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, community based study was Conducted at Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, among 246 married women of reproductive age group who had childbirth after JSY implementation for assessing their utilization pattern and perception regarding JSY services. Perception regarding the strengths and weaknesses of JSY among the health care providers was also studied. Results: Nearly half (53.25%) of the mothers studied had an institutional delivery and were eligible for the JSY benefits. Postnatal home visits by Accredited Social Health Activists were done in 48% of home and 100% of institutional deliveries. Nearly half (48.09%) of the beneficiaries were benefited by free transport facility under JSY. Although all of the health care providers perceived JSY as beneficial for improving maternal health, 44% of them had the notion that cash incentives under JSY can have a negative effect on family planning practices. Conclusion: The utilization rate of the JSY services was found to be low in certain aspects like institutional deliveries, transport facility etc., and there is scope for improvement.