NEW DELHI, Nov 4: More than INR 1.1 lakh crore has been spent under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) to provide free hospitalisation to over 79 million beneficiaries since 2018, according to government data.
The scheme offers an annual health cover of INR 5 lakh to India’s most vulnerable 40 percent, reaching 107 million low-income households. Launched in September 2018, PM-JAY has improved healthcare access by integrating primary, secondary, and tertiary care to support rural and disadvantaged groups.
The initiative has helped reduce out-of-pocket expenses, which previously accounted for 62 percent of healthcare costs, often leading to financial hardship for families. States with the highest number of beneficiaries include Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. PM-JAY covers around 2,000 treatments, including surgery, diagnostics, and medication, with popular specialties in general medicine, orthopaedics, and oncology.
To date, over 35.5 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued, allowing access to healthcare services at more than 30,000 public and private hospitals across India. Recently, the scheme was expanded to include the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card, offering INR 5 lakh of annual coverage specifically for individuals over 70 years of age, potentially benefiting 6 crore people across 4.5 crore households.
In a push for inclusivity, a Parliamentary Standing Committee has suggested extending PM-JAY to cover the “missing middle” — around 400 million individuals who lack health financial protection, as noted in a 2021 Niti Aayog report. This would allow broader access to healthcare services on a paid basis, further supporting uninsured individuals.
