The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has launched a Rs 10 lakh free universal health insurance scheme for all 65 lakh families in Punjab. The scheme 'Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana” was announced by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann at a function in Chandigarh on 8 July 2025. The former Delhi Chief Minister and national convenor of AAP, Arvind Kejriwal, was also present on the occasion.
The scheme is expected to be launched on 2nd October on the occasion of the Mahatma Gandhi birth anniversary.
About the 'Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana”
The universal health scheme was announced in the state government’s 2025-26 budget with an allocation of Rs 778 crore.
The scheme will provide free health insurance of Rs 10 lakhs per annum to every family in the state.
The Scheme will cover all families in Punjab, irrespective of their income and residence.
They will be issued a Sehat card by the state government
The beneficiaries will be provided with free and cashless treatment at the government hospitals and the empanelled private hospitals.
Beneficiaries
- All the residents of Punjab will be covered under the 'Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana”
- It will cover retired government employees who live in other states.
- This insurance will also cover people seeking specialised treatment in hospitals outside Punjab, provided they seek treatment in hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat plan.
Coverage
- Punjab is a signatory to the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
- Nearly 45 lakh families in Punjab are covered under the AB-PMJAY and get a health insurance of Rs 5 lakh per month.
- These families will receive an additional Rs 5 lakh in health insurance under the state government's scheme.
- The population of Punjab, which is not covered under the AB-PMJAY, will be covered under the state government's Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana.
- Thus, all the 65 lakh families of Punjab will have health insurance.
First State to offer Universal Health Coverage Irrespective of Income or Residence
- Punjab will become the first state in India to provide Rs 10 lakh health insurance coverage irrespective of income or residence status.
- Only four states, namely Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Uttarakhand, provide universal health insurance for families residing within their borders.
- But the insurance coverage is Rs 5 lakh per annum per family.
Also read: Delhi becomes the 35th State/UT to Join Ayushman Bharat Scheme