Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Ayushman Bharat Expands Healthcare Access After Eight Years
Ayushman Bharat is a government health insurance program in India.
It has now been running for eight years.
The program helps people pay for hospital treatment.
Officials say millions of people have received health cards and hospital care through it.
Eligible beneficiaries can receive health cover of up to Rs 5 lakh each year.
The program works across all of India’s states and Union Territories.
It also supports local health centers called Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
The government says the program is meant to protect families from very large medical bills.
The report gives both card-holder and beneficiary figures, which are different.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY marked eight years of operation on Wednesday, according to the report.
Official data cited more than 48.51 crore Ayushman cards and 13.25 crore funded hospital admissions worth Rs 2.03 lakh crore.
BJP president Nitin Nabin said more than 60 crore beneficiaries across 36 states and Union Territories receive annual health cover of up to Rs 5 lakh.
More than 1.86 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have recorded over 500 crore healthcare visits, the report said.
The scheme covers about 33% of India through more than 38,000 hospitals and includes 1,961 procedures across 27 specialties.
- Who
- The Government of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and BJP president Nitin Nabin are associated with the scheme and its anniversary statements.
- What
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana completed eight years and reported expanded health coverage and treatment access.
- When
- The scheme’s eight-year milestone was marked on Wednesday; the report does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- Across India, including all 36 states and Union Territories.
- Why
- The scheme aims to make healthcare more accessible and protect families from catastrophic medical bills.
- Scheme
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
- Annual health cover
- Up to Rs 5 lakh per beneficiary
- Ayushman cards
- More than 48.51 crore, according to official data cited
- Funded hospital admissions
- 13.25 crore admissions worth Rs 2.03 lakh crore
- Coverage reach
- About 33% of India through more than 38,000 empanelled public and private hospitals
- Healthcare facilities
- More than 1.86 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and over 500 crore healthcare visits
- Treatment coverage
- Cashless services for 1,961 procedures across 27 medical specialties