This study examines the role of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) in promoting maternal health among rural women in selected villages of Barkhetri Development Block, Nalbari district, Assam. The specific objectives were to study the functions performed by ASHA workers in maternal health care, to identify the challenges faced by them in discharging their duties and to examine their contribution to maternal health outcomes in the study area. A field survey was conducted among 95 ASHA workers selected through purposive sampling, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire; the responses were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques, mainly frequency and percentage analysis. The quotes indicate that overwhelmingly the majority of ASHA workers (96 per cent) had been trained before they began their work and were actively involved in home visits and maternal health awareness activities, with 57 per cent saying that such awareness-building activities were undertaken in their locality. The overall satisfaction regarding job was fairly good, as 59 per cent of respondents said that they were satisfied, whereas 73 per cent voiced dissatisfaction about their remuneration for the job. Lack of trust in community members, unco-operative attitude and difficulty in travelling were the main shortcoming reported by the respondents. The study concludes ASHA workers are contributing significantly to maternal health service provision in rural Assam, yet continue to face various challenges, including inadequate remuneration, excess workload and insufficient training and transport support. The paper calls for better remuneration, regular re-orientation trainings and better institutional support to ASHA workers, and suggests directions for future research.