Ayushman Bharat Becomes World’s Largest Public Health Scheme

India’s flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), has officially become the world’s largest public healthcare program.

India’s flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), has officially become the world’s largest public healthcare program.

Launched on 23 September 2018, AB-PMJAY now provides cashless health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year to over 12 crore low-income families, redefining India’s approach toward universal health coverage.

By 28 October 2025, over 42 crore Ayushman cards had been issued under this scheme, including 86 lakh senior citizens enrolled, making it a milestone in public health administration.

The National Health Policy 2017 addresses India’s changing healthcare challenges as technology advances, socio-economic conditions evolve, and disease patterns shift—such as the rise of lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases alongside traditional infectious diseases.

Key features of AB-PMJAY

The AB-PMJAY scheme provides cashless access to secondary and tertiary healthcare in both listed government and private hospitals. Its objectives are clear,

To prevent financial distress due to medical expenses

To ensure access to quality treatment regardless of income

To promote universal health inclusion

With more than 33,000 hospitals empaneled—17,685 public and 15,380 private—beneficiaries can receive various types of critical treatment free of cost.

Real impact: financial and health security

According to the Economic Survey 2024–25, Ayushman Bharat has saved beneficiaries more than ₹1.52 lakh crore in out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

The massive scale of these savings underscores the program’s role in reducing poverty-related health shocks.

In the Union Budget 2025–26, ₹9,406 crore was allocated for AB-PMJAY—the highest annual allocation since 2020.

Joint center-state initiative

Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is co-financed by the central and state governments, reaffirming India’s federal commitment to universal health coverage.

Between 2022–23 and 2024–25, states and union territories spent over ₹5,000 crore on developing and operating Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. This collaboration ensures equitable access to healthcare for both rural and urban populations.

AB-PMJAY is only one part of the broader Ayushman Bharat framework, which includes three other major pillars.

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM)

Formerly Health and Wellness Centers, AAMs expand access to primary healthcare, especially in rural areas. They provide non-communicable disease care, basic ENT, dental and vision services, emergency, and palliative care.

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)

This mission is building a nationwide digital health ecosystem.

Each citizen receives a unique Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID. Health records are digitally linked and portable.

So far, 80 crore ABHA IDs have been created. Over 6.7 crore health records have already been securely linked.

Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)

Launched on 25 October 2021, this ₹64,180 crore mission aims to

Strengthen infrastructure in hospitals and laboratories, build emergency response capabilities, and promote medical research and public health institutions.