8 Years of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: Key Facts, Major Achievements, features, Eligibility, Ayushman Vay Vandan, Significance and Challenges

Why in News?

Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) completed eight years since its launch in 2018.

Key Facts

Major Achievements of Ayushman Bharat

The government's anniversary data provides a picture of the scheme's expansion in beneficiary identification, hospital admissions, treatment expenditure and healthcare access.

• 48.51 Cr+ Ayushman cards as of 21 September 2026
• 13.25 Cr Hospital admissions as of 31 August 2026
• ₹2.03 L Cr Treatment authorised as of 31 August 2026
• 38,000+ Empanelled hospitals as of 31 August 2026

What is Ayushman Bharat?

• Government of India initiative aimed at improving access to affordable healthcare and reducing the financial burden of medical treatment.
• It was introduced in the context of the National Health Policy, 2017, which emphasised universal access to quality healthcare.
• Four major components of the healthcare framework: 
  • AB PM-JAY: Provides eligible beneficiaries with cashless secondary and tertiary hospitalisation coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually.
  • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): Deliver comprehensive primary healthcare, including preventive services, screening, essential medicines and diagnostics.
  • Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): Supports a digital health ecosystem through health accounts, interoperable records and digital healthcare services.
  • PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM): Strengthens public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, laboratories and preparedness for health emergencies.

Major Features of AB PM-JAY

Who is Eligible for Ayushman Bharat?

• The original PM-JAY framework identified economically vulnerable households using deprivation and occupational criteria from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), 2011.
• Eligibility has subsequently expanded through additional beneficiary categories and state-level arrangements.
• 2018 (Original launch): The scheme initially targeted approximately 10.74 crore vulnerable families.
• March 2024 (Frontline workers): Approximately 37 lakh families of ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers were included.
• October 2024 (Senior citizens): Coverage was extended to approximately 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 years and above.

Ayushman Vay Vandana

• One of the major developments in PM-JAY has been the expansion of healthcare coverage to all citizens aged 70 years and above. 
• Key provisions include:
  • Eligibility is independent of income or socio-economic status.
  • Senior citizens in families not previously covered under PM-JAY receive an annual family-floater cover of up to ₹5 lakh.
  • Those already belonging to PM-JAY families receive an additional ₹5 lakh annual cover exclusively for eligible senior citizens.
  • Eligible individuals can obtain an Ayushman Vay Vandana Card.

Nationwide Portability of PM-JAY

• Portability enables an eligible beneficiary to receive treatment at an empanelled hospital outside their home state.
• This feature is particularly relevant for migrant workers, informal-sector workers and families who travel to other states for specialised treatment.
• As of 30 June 2026:
  • 29.05 lakh inter-state hospital admissions had been authorised.
  • The corresponding treatment value exceeded ₹8,383.97 crore.
  • Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras supported beneficiaries through verification, admission and hospital assistance.

National Health Authority: Role and Functions

• The National Health Authority (NHA) is responsible for implementing AB PM-JAY at the national level and plays a central role in India's digital health ecosystem.
• Its major functions include:
  • Developing operational guidelines and health benefit packages.
  • Supporting beneficiary identification and verification.
  • Coordinating with State Health Agencies.
  • Supporting hospital empanelment, claims management and fraud prevention.
  • Implementing the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs

• Ayushman Arogya Mandirs complement PM-JAY by bringing primary healthcare services closer to communities.
• While PM-JAY primarily finances hospitalisation, AAMs focus on preventive, promotive and basic curative healthcare.
• They support services such as maternal and child healthcare, non-communicable disease screening, essential medicines and diagnostics.
• According to the government's August 2026 update, more than 1.86 lakh AAMs were functional across India, with cumulative footfall exceeding 540 crore visits. 

Significance of Ayushman Bharat

• Financial protection: Publicly financed hospitalisation coverage can reduce the risk of catastrophic medical expenditure for eligible households.
• Healthcare accessibility: Empanelment of public and private hospitals expands the range of facilities available to beneficiaries.
• Social inclusion: Coverage of economically vulnerable households, frontline workers and senior citizens extends financial protection to different population groups.
• Cooperative federalism: The scheme requires coordination between the Union government, State Health Agencies and healthcare providers.
• Digital transformation: ABDM supports interoperable digital health records and healthcare service delivery.

Challenges 

FAQs