Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has become world’s largest public healthcare scheme, offering ₹5 lakh health insurance per family per year. The scheme ensures cashless and paperless medical care for secondary and tertiary treatments in both public and private hospitals across India.
- Launched: 23 September 2018
- Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW)
- Nodal Agency: National Health Authority (NHA)
Key Achievements (as of October 2025)
- Over 42 crore Ayushman Cards issued.
- 86 lakh senior citizens enrolled.
- ₹1.52 lakh crore saved in out-of-pocket expenses since 2018.
- Over 33,000 empanelled hospitals —
- 17,685 Government
- 15,380 Private
- Covers over 12 crore families (approximately 55 crore individuals).
Major Components of Ayushman Bharat Initiative
Ayushman Bharat is not just a single scheme but a comprehensive health mission, with multiple pillars:
Ayushman Bharat– Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
- Provides financial protection for secondary & tertiary healthcare.
- Entirely cashless, portable across India.
- Eligibility: Bottom 40% of poor & vulnerable households (based on SECC 2011 database).
- Funding Pattern:
- 60:40 (Centre:State) for general states
- 90:10 for NE & Himalayan states
- 100% for UTs (without legislature)
Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs)
- Formerly Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs).
- Deliver comprehensive primary healthcare, including:
- Non-communicable diseases
- Maternal & child care
- Mental health
- ENT, dental & eye care
- 39 crore teleconsultations delivered through AAMs till Sept 2025.
- Target: 1.5 lakh AAMs across India.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
- Aims to create a digital health ecosystem linking all healthcare facilities and citizens.
- Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) provides a unique digital health ID.
- 80 crore ABHA IDs generated.
- 6.7 crore health records digitally linked.
- Enables seamless health data access across hospitals & labs.
PM–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM–ABHIM)
- Launched: 25 October 2021
- Total Outlay: ₹64,180 crore (2021–26)
- ₹54,205 crore for States/UTs
- ₹9,340 crore for Central schemes
- Focus: Strengthening district hospitals, diagnostic labs, disease surveillance, critical care units, and research facilities.
Financial & Administrative Highlights
- Union Budget 2025–26 Allocation: ₹9,406 crore (highest ever for AB-PMJAY).
- Cumulative State & UT Expenditure (2022–25): ₹5,000+ crore (mainly for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs).
- Jointly funded by the Centre & States based on fiscal ratios.
- Implemented via: National Health Authority (NHA) and State Health Agencies (SHAs).
Significance
- Ensures universal health coverage and financial protection for economically weaker families.
- Reduces catastrophic health expenditures.
- Promotes inclusive access to quality care, especially in rural & remote areas.
- Strengthens India’s public health infrastructure under a unified national framework.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Union Minister: Mansukh Mandaviya (as of 2025)
Departments:
- Department of Health & Family Welfare
- Department of Health Research (ICMR)
Key Schemes:
- National Health Mission (NHM)
- Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM–ABHIM)
- National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)
World’s largest public health schemes (comparison):
- India – AB-PMJAY (over 55 crore beneficiaries)
- USA – Medicaid (~82 million people)
- China – Basic Health Insurance (~95% coverage but not cashless)
- India’s AB-PMJAY surpasses others in scale, digital integration, and government-led funding.
Background on Ayushman Bharat Launch (2018)
- Announced in Union Budget 2018–19 under the theme “Universal Health Protection”.
- Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi from Ranchi, Jharkhand.
- Complements National Health Policy 2017 goal of “Health for All.”
Ayushman Bharat Digital Ecosystem- Key Acronyms
| Acronym | Full Form | Function |
| ABHA | Ayushman Bharat Health Account | Unique Digital Health ID |
| NHA | National Health Authority | Implementing body |
| ABDM | Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission | Digital linkage of healthcare |
| PM-ABHIM | PM–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission | Strengthening health infra |
| AAM | Ayushman Arogya Mandir | Primary healthcare delivery unit |
Important Reports
Economic Survey 2024–25:
- AB-PMJAY saved ₹1.52 lakh crore in out-of-pocket expenses.
NITI Aayog Report (2023):
- India’s public health expenditure rose from 1.15% (2014) to 2.1% of GDP (2023).