Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Ayushman Bharat Scheme Reaches Only 1.29 Crore Seniors
The Ayushman Bharat scheme, which aims to provide health insurance to senior citizens and frontline workers, has only reached a small fraction of its intended beneficiaries.
Out of six crore eligible senior citizens, only 1.29 crore have been approved for coverage.
Similarly, out of 72.23 lakh eligible frontline workers, only 44.1 lakh have been approved.
The government is asking states to speed up the process, but critics say the slow rollout shows inefficiency.
The scheme has facilitated cashless treatment worth ₹1.91 lakh crore through over 37,000 hospitals.
The government is also working on improving the scheme with new technology and better financial management.
Only 1.29 crore out of six crore eligible senior citizens have been approved for coverage under the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana.
Of 72.23 lakh eligible frontline workers, only 44.1 lakh have been approved for coverage.
The National Health Authority (NHA) has directed states to prioritize enrolling all eligible beneficiaries and expedite Ayushman Card generation.
The scheme has facilitated cashless treatment worth ₹1.91 lakh crore through over 37,000 empanelled hospitals.
The NHA is working on improving the scheme with new technology and better financial management, including the use of artificial intelligence and advanced analytical tools.
- Who
- Senior citizens aged 70 and above, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and Anganwadi helpers
- What
- Slow implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana
- When
- Nearly two years after the scheme's expansion
- Where
- India
- Why
- To provide health insurance coverage to senior citizens and frontline workers, but the rollout has been slow
Government Perspective
Critics' Perspective
Implementation Speed
Government Perspective
The government is working to expedite the process and has set clear directives for faster enrollment and card generation.
Critics' Perspective
The slow rollout indicates inefficiency and a lack of preparedness in reaching the intended beneficiaries.
Coverage Expansion
Government Perspective
The scheme's expansion to include all senior citizens and frontline workers shows a commitment to inclusive healthcare.
Critics' Perspective
The expansion is not effectively reaching the eligible population, highlighting implementation gaps.
- Eligible Senior Citizens
- 6 crore
- Approved Senior Citizens
- 1.29 crore
- Eligible Frontline Workers
- 72.23 lakh
- Approved Frontline Workers
- 44.1 lakh
- Ayushman Cards Applied
- 1.2 crore
- Ayushman Cards Delivered
- 63,812
- Cashless Treatment Facilitated
- ₹1.91 lakh crore
- Empanelled Hospitals
- 37,000
- ABHA Numbers Created
- 94 crore
- Digital Health Records Linked
- 100 crore