Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana completes seven years today. Launched in September 2018 from Ranchi, it is the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme. The scheme has transformed healthcare in India, reaching over 55 crore beneficiaries.
It provides ₹5 lakh annual health cover to families, enabling cashless and paperless treatment across the country. So far, more than 10.30 crore hospital admissions have been authorised under the scheme, translating into over ₹1.48 lakh crore worth of cashless care and significant savings for patients. The beneficiary base was expanded to 12 crore families in 2022. ASHA workers, anganwadi workers and their families were included in 2024.
From October last year, all senior citizens above 70 years of age have been brought under universal coverage through the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card. Nearly one crore gig and platform workers are also being added. With more than 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs operating across the country, the initiative has strengthened universal health coverage and provided millions with safe, reliable and dignified access to medical services.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India is witnessing a revolution in public healthcare due to Ayushman Bharat. In a social media post on the seven years of the scheme, Mr Modi said, it has ensured financial protection and dignity. He said, India has shown how scale, compassion, and technology can further human empowerment.
The Prime Minister said, Ayushman Bharat is an initiative that anticipated the needs of the future and focused on ensuring top-quality as well as affordable healthcare for people. Sharing an article written by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda in an English daily, Mr Modi said, Ayushman Bharat – from a promise to a people’s movement for universal health coverage. He said, the article highlights how this transformation stands as a testament to the government’s resolve to protect every citizen’s health and how far the nation has come.
