Full Breakdown
Ayushman Bharat Marks Eight Years, Covering Over 600 Million Indians
By Drooid · · How we work
Scheme Overview
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), launched in September 2018, celebrated its eighth anniversary. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports that the scheme now provides a INR5 lakh annual cash-less health cover to more than 60 crore (600 million) beneficiaries, making it the world’s largest publicly funded health-insurance programme.
Background and Implementation
AB-PMJAY was introduced following the National Health Policy 2017 to advance universal health coverage. It is fully funded by the central government, with implementation costs shared with state governments. The scheme covers secondary and tertiary hospitalisation, pre-hospitalisation (up to three days) and post-hospitalisation (up to 15 days) expenses, without limits on family size, age or gender, and includes all pre-existing conditions from day one. Approximately 1,929 medical procedures are empanelled, and nearly 39,000 public and private hospitals across India participate.
Data and Reach
- Beneficiaries covered: > 60 crore (600 million) — Union health-ministry data.
- Ayushman cards issued: ? 48.5 crore (485 million).
- Free treatments delivered: ? 130 million beneficiaries, amounting to INR2 lakh crore in services.
- Hospital network: ? 38,000–39,000 facilities.
Official Statements & Responses
“It has enabled record savings on medical expenses, thus benefitting the poor and middle class. And healthcare is moving closer to every doorstep. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have already recorded over 500 crore visits, strengthening primary healthcare at the grassroots. My best wishes to all Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries. #8YearsOfAyushmanBharat,” — PM Modi, prime minister
“From expanding healthcare access to reducing financial barriers to treatment, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY stands as a landmark of India’s commitment to ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare for all,” — the health ministry
Union Health Minister JP Nadda stressed the human dimension behind the statistics, saying each number represents families shielded from medical debt. “Behind every number is a story - a family protected from the burden of medical debt, a patient receiving timely treatment, a loved one relieved of pain, and a household able to face illness without the fear of financial hardship. Hearing directly from beneficiaries and witnessing their experiences is a powerful reminder of the impact of this historic journey of Seva,” — Nadda, union health minister