Ayushman Bharat – world’s largest govt-funded health assurance scheme
New Delhi: Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the world’s largest government-funded health assurance program, marks its seventh anniversary today. Launched in September 2018 from Ranchi, the scheme has revolutionized healthcare access across India, benefiting over 55 crore citizens.
The program provides ₹5 lakh annual health cover per family, enabling cashless and paperless treatment nationwide. Since inception, it has authorized more than 10.30 crore hospital admissions, delivering over ₹1.48 lakh crore in cashless care and substantial savings for patients. The beneficiary base was expanded to 12 crore families in 2022, with ASHA and anganwadi workers and their families added in 2024.
True leadership in governance lies in anticipating the needs of tomorrow.
As we mark 7 years of Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), India celebrates a healthcare revolution that has redefined delivery, ensuring financial protection, universal access… pic.twitter.com/rkyu7TdPwW
— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) September 23, 2025
From October last year, all senior citizens above 70 years gained universal coverage under the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, while nearly one crore gig and platform workers are being brought under the scheme. With over 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs operating nationwide, the initiative has strengthened India’s universal health coverage, offering safe, reliable, and dignified medical services to millions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the scheme as a transformative force in public healthcare. In a social media post, he highlighted Ayushman Bharat’s role in providing financial protection, dignity, and equitable access to medical care. Sharing an article by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, the Prime Minister described the program as a people’s movement for universal health coverage, emphasizing how scale, compassion, and technology have empowered citizens and anticipated future healthcare needs.
Ayushman Bharat’s seven-year journey stands as a testament to India’s commitment to affordable, high-quality healthcare for all.
