On September 23, India celebrated six successful years since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan, also known as Ayushman Bharat or the National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM). This national health scheme, initiated in 2018 by PM Modi, aimed to consolidate the existing centrally sponsored schemes, including the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and the Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS).
On Independence Day 2018, PM Modi announced that the Union Government would launch a scheme to provide free medical insurance under Ayushman Bharat for poor and economically disadvantaged individuals.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan under #AyushmanBharat will benefit more than 10 cr families with health assurance of 5 lakh per family per year. The mission will be launched on 25th September 2018. @PMOIndia #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/JQeyuKYWC6
— National Health Authority (NHA) (@AyushmanNHA) August 15, 2018
The scheme was originally designed to benefit around 10 crore families, covering approximately 50 crore individuals with up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Celebrating its successful completion of six years, Ministers have praised the scheme for benefiting more than 35 crore individuals. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu stated that the scheme has significantly enhanced the ease of healthy living for the people.
“Across the country, citizens are reaping the benefits of the best of health facilities with 36.76 crore plus Ayushman Cards created in the past six years. Let us celebrate together a great milestone achieved in our collective efforts aimed at creating a healthy, wealthy, and inclusive Viksit Bharat,” Pema Khandu added.
Ayushman Bharat Yojana, driven by the vision of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, has given a massive boost to the ease of people’s healthy living.
Across the country, citizens are reaping the benefits of best of health facilities with 36.76 crore plus Ayushman Cards created in… pic.twitter.com/jFH8KuyK9w
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) September 23, 2024
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath praised the initiative, stating that the scheme has become a lifeline for economically disadvantaged and disabled families in the state. “More than 5 crore 11 lakh golden cards have been issued in Uttar Pradesh under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Chief Minister Jan Arogya Yojana, which have proven essential for these families. Today, the poor are receiving better treatment, and their health is being safeguarded. I extend heartfelt gratitude to the Honorable Prime Minister for this invaluable gift that supports the vision of a healthy and prosperous India,” he said.
आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के यशस्वी नेतृत्व में आयुष्मान भारत-प्रधानमंत्री जन आरोग्य योजना (PM-JAY) के सफल 06 वर्ष पूर्ण होने पर लाभार्थियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं!
आर्थिक रूप से कमजोर और अशक्त परिवारों के लिए संजीवनी बने आयुष्मान भारत-प्रधानमंत्री जन आरोग्य योजना… pic.twitter.com/FsoGMEYWqw
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) September 23, 2024
Union Minister of State for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, and Labour & Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, stated, “It’s more than just a scheme; it’s a lifeline that transforms lives and fosters a ‘Swashth Bharat.'”
Under Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's visionary leadership, #AyushmanBharat has empowered millions with access to quality healthcare. It's more than just a scheme, it's a lifeline, transforming lives & building a 'Swashth Bharat.' #6YearsOfAyushmanBharat pic.twitter.com/wZMLiDSUNO
— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) September 23, 2024
This Day, That Year!
On 23rd September 2018, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi launched Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, marking a transformative shift in healthcare. The scheme promised top-class, affordable healthcare for the poor.
Today, as we celebrate 6… pic.twitter.com/nbnWvEsgDL
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) September 23, 2024
Features of the Ayushman Scheme
The Government-sponsored health insurance policy provides free coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary medical care at public and private hospitals across India. According to Government records, the policy covers all diseases from day one, including both pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses. Beneficiaries can access cashless and paperless treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals.
There are no restrictions based on family size, age, or gender. Approximately 80 per cent of beneficiaries are identified using Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data in both rural and urban areas. Additionally, the scheme places special emphasis on covering diseases and treatments that affect women and children.
Government reports indicate that premium payments ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 annually collected under the scheme are divided between the Central and State Governments in a specific ratio. Additionally, the scheme receives supplementary funding from the Health and Education Cess, along with contributions from states to enhance the Central allocation.
Six years since its launch, the Ayushman Bharat scheme has brought countless smiles to the faces of lakhs of beneficiaries. This flagship health initiative provides free essential medications, diagnostic services, and preventive healthcare. It also offers facilities for screening non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension, as well as maternity and child health services, immunisation, and health promotion. Furthermore, the policy enhances access to specialised treatment through telemedicine services, particularly in remote areas.
The system encompasses both public and private hospitals, ensuring broader access to healthcare facilities. However, the empanelled hospitals are required to meet specific quality and service standards, leading to enhanced healthcare services for the poor and needy in Indian society.
To ensure ease of use, the entire system operates online, offering transparency, traceability, and paperless services for both beneficiaries and hospitals. The initiative aims to reduce catastrophic healthcare expenses for vulnerable groups by providing free treatment at empanelled hospitals. Under PM Modi’s leadership, the scheme guarantees that underprivileged families can access basic and advanced medical treatments without facing financial hardship.
Beneficiaries of the scheme as of 2024
The first component of Ayushman Bharat involved the establishment of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM), formerly known as Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC). These centers offer a broad spectrum of healthcare services, including preventive, promotional, rehabilitative, and curative treatments. The aim is to enhance community access to healthcare by providing Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC).
As of September 12, 2024, there are approximately 1,74,453 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country. This total includes 1,12,617 Sub Health Centres, 23,903 Primary Health Centres, 5,123 Urban Primary Health Centres, 5,632 Urban Health and Wellness Centres, and 12,178 Ayush-related Centres.
As of September 9, 2024, the AB-PMJAY has issued over 35.4 crore Ayushman cards nationwide. The scheme is currently operational in 33 States and Union Territories (UTs), with the exception of Delhi, West Bengal, and Odisha.
As of September 9, the healthcare system has authorized a total of 7.79 crore hospital admissions, amounting to Rs. 1,07,125 crores in financial coverage. It has experienced significant growth in its beneficiary base. Initially, the Government of India covered 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, but this coverage was expanded to 12 crore families in January 2022, reflecting India’s 11.7% population growth since 2011.
Additionally, the policy was expanded to include 37 lakh Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), along with their families, who now receive free healthcare. Following a recent cabinet decision, the AB PM-JAY plans to extend free healthcare coverage of Rs 5 lakh to all individuals aged 70 and above across the country.
On September 11, the Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved universal health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income. These seniors will now have access to free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh under the flagship Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The scheme aims to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, encompassing six crore senior citizens, providing them with Rs 5 lakh in free health insurance coverage on a family basis, according to a statement from the Union Cabinet.
Key highlights achieved by the Ayushman scheme over the years
In December 2023, a total of 1,02,23,619 Ayushman cards were generated during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the country’s health infrastructure and advancing healthcare excellence. Under the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ayushman cards are being created using the Ayushman app, with physical cards distributed to beneficiaries. So far, more than 23,83,473 physical cards have been issued.
Ayushman card = guarantee of free health treatment!
In a significant milestone aimed at making quality healthcare accessible to all, over 1 crore Ayushman Cards have been created under the ongoing #ViksitBharatSankalpYatra.
Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya… pic.twitter.com/jKIHw2FUyl
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) December 22, 2023
By the end of 2022, the center had operationalized 1,50,000 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), a goal set in 2018. A statement from the ministry highlighted that in line with the principles of “Antyodaya”—ensuring no one is left behind—these centers are transforming the delivery of comprehensive primary healthcare services. These services are universally free and cater to all age groups, from birth to death, through a continuum of care approach.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated the nation on this achievement, expressing his delight that India successfully reached the goal of establishing 1.5 lakh AB-HWCs by December 31, 2022. He noted that PM Modi had set this deadline in 2018 with the aim of providing quality healthcare facilities to the most marginalized individuals.
1,50,000 हेल्थ एंड वेलनेस सेंटर!
PM @NarendraModi जी ने दिसम्बर 2022 तक, देश में डेढ़ लाख AB-HWCs शुरू करने का लक्ष्य रखा था। मुझे बताते हुए खुशी है की आज हमने यह लक्ष्य प्राप्त कर लिया है।
ये केंद्र निश्चित ही नागरिकों की प्राथमिक स्वास्थ्य सुविधा को मजबूत करेंगे। pic.twitter.com/Nl6CUy8DDr
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) December 29, 2022
In the same year, the Modi-led Government launched the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) as part of the flagship Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). “The scheme aims to create a robust digital health ecosystem through active collaboration between the public and private sectors. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, previously known as the National Digital Health Mission, seeks to promote universal health coverage in an efficient, accessible, inclusive, affordable, timely, and safe manner,” the center stated.
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to create longitudinal electronic health records for citizens, enhancing healthcare accessibility, reducing costs, and improving efficiency in service delivery. It ensures seamless continuity of treatment across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Additionally, ABDM’s digital health ecosystem facilitates the provision of healthcare services through electronic means, which is particularly beneficial in remote and rural areas where access to specialist care is often limited.
In April 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government included the virus under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), ensuring that the poor have access to proper treatment.
“The testing and treatment of COVID-19 are already provided for free in public facilities. Now, over 50 crore citizens eligible under the government of India’s health assurance scheme can access free testing through private labs and treatment for COVID-19 at empanelled hospitals. These hospitals may utilize their own authorized testing facilities or collaborate with approved ones. Tests will be conducted according to the protocols established by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and through private labs registered with ICMR. Additionally, treatment for COVID-19 in private hospitals will also be covered under AB-PMJAY,” stated the Centre.
Subsequently, the ‘Ayushman Bhav’ initiative was launched to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage in every village and town. This initiative embodies Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to reaching the last mile and ensuring equal access to healthcare services for all.
Ayushman Bharat represents a transformative shift in the Indian healthcare system by seamlessly integrating comprehensive care at basic, secondary, and tertiary levels. The scheme’s broad framework addresses not only emergency health needs but also focuses on preventive treatment and health promotion, making healthcare more accessible and equitable for all.
