Ayushman Bharat Marks Eight Years, Covers 60 Crore Indians, Spends ₹2.03 Lakh Crore on Hospital Care

NEW DELHI — The central government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM‑JAY), celebrated its eighth anniversary on 24 September 2026. According to a press release from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the programme has now covered more than 60 crore people and has facilitated hospital care worth ₹2.03 lakh crore since its launch on 1 July 2018.

Coverage and Reach

PM‑JAY was rolled out nationwide in 2018 as part of the broader Ayushman Bharat initiative. The scheme offers cashless, free treatment for over 10,000 medical conditions at more than 1.5 lakh empanelled hospitals across 28 states and union territories. The official count of beneficiaries, as reported by the Ministry, stands at 60 crore, a figure that surpasses earlier estimates of 48.5 crore published by some media outlets.

Financial Impact

In its eight-year tenure, the scheme has disbursed ₹2.03 lakh crore in hospital care. This figure, released by the Ministry, reflects the cumulative value of reimbursements made to hospitals and the cashless payments made to patients. The spending includes both public and private sector hospitals, with the majority of the disbursements directed to tertiary care centres and district hospitals.

Out‑of‑Pocket Expenditure Reduction

Health economists note that the programme has helped reduce out‑of‑pocket expenses for millions of families. By providing coverage for a wide range of procedures, from major surgeries to routine diagnostics, PM‑JAY has lowered the financial burden on households that would otherwise have faced high medical costs.

Administrative Structure

The scheme is administered by the National Health Authority (NHA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The NHA oversees hospital empanelment, claims processing, and quality assurance. The Ministry’s annual reports detail the number of claims processed each year, with a peak of over 1.2 crore claims in 2025 alone.

Challenges and Future Plans

While the scheme has achieved broad coverage, officials acknowledge gaps in service delivery in remote areas. The Ministry has announced plans to expand digital health records and strengthen primary health centres to improve accessibility. In addition, a new pilot programme aims to integrate mental health services into the existing framework.

Public Reception

Public opinion surveys conducted by independent research firms indicate that 78% of beneficiaries consider PM‑JAY a positive step toward universal health coverage. However, a minority of respondents have raised concerns about delays in claim settlements and the quality of care at some empanelled hospitals.

Policy Context

Ayushman Bharat was launched as part of the National Health Policy 2017, which set a target of providing health insurance coverage to 500 million Indians by 2025. The scheme’s expansion to 60 crore beneficiaries reflects a significant step toward that goal. The Ministry has also highlighted the scheme’s role in supporting the country’s broader objective of achieving universal health coverage by 2030.