evidence: However, coverage of life-saving health interventions and practices remains low due to gaps in knowledge, policies and availability of resources. In a few areas there is a gap between the rich and the poor and an urban and rural divide. Access to health services is often dependent on a families’ or mother’s economic status and where they reside. [...] The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) launched by MoHFW, provides a fixed day for assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care free of cost to pregnant women on 9th of every month. This Programme strengthens antenatal care detection and follow up of high risk pregnancies, contribute towards reduction of maternal deaths and reduce the MMR of India. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK): this scheme encompasses free maternity services for women and children, a nationwide scale-up of emergency referral systems and maternal death audits, and improvements in the governance and management of health services at all levels.