UPSC Prelims 2023 Q51: Indian Economy – Human Development, Poverty & Employment Schemes
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) Only three
- (d) All four
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) — Facts
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Correct Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JSY is a safe motherhood intervention of State Health Departments | FALSE | JSY is a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM), launched in 2005. It is not a state-initiated programme — states implement it under central government funding and guidelines. |
| 2 | Objective: reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women | TRUE | JSY's primary goal is reducing maternal and infant mortality by incentivising institutional deliveries for BPL women. |
| 3 | Aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women | TRUE | JSY provides cash incentives to pregnant women (especially BPL, SC, ST) for delivering in government health facilities — this directly promotes institutional delivery. |
| 4 | Objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year | FALSE | Sick infant care is under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), not JSY. JSY focuses on delivery, not post-natal infant care beyond immediate newborn support. |
Statements 2 and 3 correct → Only two.
Answer: (b) Only two.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 'Only one' — both the mortality reduction objective and institutional delivery promotion are core JSY goals.
- (b) CORRECT. Statements 2 and 3 are correct. JSY is a NHM scheme (not state-initiated) and does not cover sick infant care up to one year (that is JSSK).
- (c) Incorrect. 'Only three' — Statement 4 (infant care up to one year) is covered under JSSK, not JSY.
- (d) Incorrect. 'All four' — Statement 1 is wrong (JSY is NHM, not state) and Statement 4 is wrong (sick infant care = JSSK, not JSY).
Key point
JSY = NHM centrally sponsored scheme (not state scheme). Goal = reduce maternal/neonatal mortality + promote institutional delivery. Sick infant care up to 1 year = JSSK (different scheme). Only two statements correct.
Remember
Janani Suraksha Yojana is a centrally sponsored NHM scheme (not a state scheme) that reduces maternal/neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery among BPL women through cash incentives. Sick infant care is under the separate JSSK programme.
Common mistakes
- Thinking JSY is a state health department scheme — it is a central NHM programme, though states implement it.
- Confusing JSY with JSSK — JSSK (Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram) covers free services for sick newborns and infants; JSY is about delivery incentives.
- Including objective 4 (infant up to 1 year) — JSY's scope ends around the delivery period; 1-year infant care is a separate programme.
Exam tip
JSY = cash incentive for institutional delivery (BPL women). NHM scheme, 2005. JSSK = free treatment for sick newborns. PMSMA = ante-natal check-ups. Know the NHM programme portfolio — UPSC tests which scheme covers which intervention.
Sources
- National Health Mission — Janani Suraksha Yojana Guidelines
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare — Maternal Health Programmes