Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): ₹5 Lakh Health Coverage

Key facts

• Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated annually on April 30 to recognise the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
• PM-JAY was launched on September 23, 2018, in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
• The scheme provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare.
• It targets over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore individuals), focusing on the poorest 40% of the population identified by SECC 2011 data.
• The programme is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN) under the umbrella of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
• The scheme covers pre-existing conditions and provides access to over 1,900 medical procedures at empanelled public and private hospitals.
• Beneficiary groups include low-income families, people with chronic illnesses, hospitalised patients, women, the elderly, and interstate migrants.
• The coverage includes maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, mental health, and rehabilitation care.
• By late 2025, more than 5.38 crore Ayushman cards were issued, with 74.4 lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh receiving free treatment.
• Over 1 lakh Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) have been operationalised to expand healthcare access in underserved areas.
• The Ask Ayushman chatbot on WhatsApp is utilised to help users find hospitals and check eligibility.