Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women. 3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women. 4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age. How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. A. (a) Only one
2. B. (b) Only two
3. C. (c) Only three
4. D. (d) All four

Answer: B

Explanation

The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe motherhood intervention launched by the Central Government (under the National Rural Health Mission), not solely by State Health Departments, though states implement it. So, statement 1 is incorrect. Statements 2 and 3 are correct: JSY’s primary objectives are to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women by providing cash assistance. Statement 4 is incorrect: While infant health is crucial, providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age is primarily covered by other schemes like Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK), not JSY itself. Therefore, only two statements (2 and 3) are correct. This question tests knowledge of government social welfare schemes, a crucial part of UPSC Indian Society and Governance.