Delivering the Ayushman Bharat promise to citizens
A decade ago, families paid for medical care almost entirely out of pocket. Today, nearly 61 crore are people protected by AB PM-JAY
When Ayushman Bharat (AB) PM-JAY was launched from Ranchi in 2018, it marked the beginning of a new era in healthcare access. By extending the ₹5-lakh annual health cover to vulnerable families and enabling cashless transactions, it enabled paperless treatment across the country. I recall Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words from that day. “No one in the country should be deprived of quality healthcare only because they cannot afford it,” he said.
We have made tremendous progress in translating the Prime Minister’s ambitious vision into reality. In this short period, the scheme has become the lifeline of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters across the country. The scheme is being implemented nationwide, with the unfortunate exception of West Bengal. As of August 2025, over 10.30 crore plus hospital admissions have been authorised, translating into more than ₹1.48 lakh crore in cashless care and recorded out-of-pocket savings.
The impact of AB PM-JAY is profound. A decade ago, families paid for medical care almost entirely out of pocket. Today, that burden has fallen sharply, with nearly 61 crore people protected by AB PM-JAY. The beneficiary base expanded to 12 crore families in 2022 to account for decadal population growth. The Ashas, anganwadi workers and their families were added in March 2024, and all senior citizens aged above 70 were covered regardless of their income from October 2024 through the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card. Additionally, nearly one crore gig and platform workers are being included under the scheme, further widening the reach of this transformative healthcare initiative.
The scheme has not only provided financial relief but also dignity and confidence, especially for the elderly and the grassroots health workforce, whose service has been formally recognised. Additionally, convergence of various central and state health insurance schemes with Ayushman Bharat has improved efficiency, reduced duplication, and ensured that benefits reach people in a simpler and
transparent way.
Beyond financial protection and improved scheme efficiency, AB PM-JAY’s impact is now evident in measurable health outcomes. A Lancet regional health study reported a 90% rise in timely initiation of cancer treatment within 30 days of diagnosis for AB PM-JAY beneficiaries, underscoring earlier access after financial barriers were removed. Today, access is timely, affordable, and life-saving. Economic Survey 2021–22 found greater declines in infant mortality rates (IMR) and under-5 mortality rates (U5MR) among states that adopted the scheme vis-a-vis the non-adopting states.
Ayushman Bharat has opened the doors not only of public hospitals but also of some of the best private hospitals for needy citizens. The scheme has 32,913 hospitals empanelled, including 15,103 private facilities, reflecting a balanced public–private participation. The expanding network indicates deepening access in underserved regions through both public and private participation.
Much of the specialised care is provided by private hospitals, bringing the best of medical expertise within reach of the poorest families. This has stimulated private investment in healthcare, as we now see many new hospitals coming up in smaller towns, reducing the geographical inequalities that long plagued our health system. The scheme has also promoted digital health, as it is powered by a state-of-the-art IT system that ensures seamless beneficiary identification, e-claims, fraud analytics, and portability, enabling treatment across states. Robust safeguards keep fraud to a minimum, at only 0.33% of authorised admissions, supported by de-empanelment and fines for errant hospitals. Complementing these measures is a three-tier grievance redressal system at the district, state, and national levels reinforces accountability.
The genesis of this transformation lies in the Prime Minister’s vision. In 2016, as the Union health minister, I had the privilege of chairing the executive board of the World Health Organization in Geneva. Universal health coverage was the dominant theme of discussions, and I often reflected on how India, with its scale and complexity, could achieve this goal. Guided by the vision of the Prime Minister, we were able to formulate PM-JAY. The Prime Minister personally discussed every detail. We spent many late evenings refining the plan before it was approved by the Cabinet and launched in 2018. Even after the launch, he remained deeply engaged. During his travels across the country, he often met Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries and drew on their feedback to suggest further improvements.
Seven years later, Ayushman Bharat stands as the world’s largest health assurance programme. Yet the journey is far from complete. I hope West Bengal will soon join, so that people of the state too can benefit from the scheme. We must also bring more private hospitals on board, especially in underserved regions, to improve access, stimulate competition, and raise standards. At the same time, continuous upgradation of public hospitals is essential.
Another priority is to integrate Ayushman Bharat more closely with primary healthcare, strengthen referrals, longitudinal digital records, and follow-up enabled by the platform. Patients should be able to move seamlessly from health and wellness centres to district hospitals and onward to advanced tertiary care. Strong referral systems, robust digital health records, and follow-up mechanisms must support this chain. We must also ensure that claims are monitored carefully and payments to hospitals are made on time. That will maintain the trust of providers and strengthen the system.
As we mark seven years of Ayushman Bharat, our aim is a future where every Indian, regardless of income or geography, has equal access to high-quality healthcare. The task is immense, but our resolve is firm. In the years ahead, Ayushman Bharat will remain a symbol of the Prime Minister’s vision, the government’s commitment, and the nation’s determination to protect the health of its people.
JP Nadda is Union minister for health and family welfare, and president, BJP. The views expressed are personal
