Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Expands Nationwide, Covers 12 Crore Families and Six Crore Senior Citizens

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has become operational across all 36 States and Union Territories, strengthening nationwide access to cashless secondary and tertiary healthcare. The scheme allows eligible beneficiaries to obtain treatment at empanelled hospitals across India, including facilities located outside their home state.

AB PM-JAY initially covered 10.74 crore families identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011, representing the economically vulnerable bottom 40 per cent of the population. The beneficiary base was revised to 12 crore families in January 2023 to account for population growth. Around 37 lakh families of ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers were added in March 2024.

The programme was subsequently expanded to provide health assurance to approximately six crore senior citizens aged 70 years and above, belonging to nearly 4.5 crore families, irrespective of their socio-economic status. Several states have further widened coverage by integrating their own health assurance programmes with the national scheme.

National portability has emerged as a major feature of AB PM-JAY, particularly for migrant workers, travellers and families seeking specialised care outside their home state. As of June 30, 2026, the scheme had authorised 29.05 lakh inter-state hospital admissions worth more than ₹8,383.97 crore.

An integrated digital platform enables hospitals to verify beneficiaries, approve cashless admissions, process claims and settle payments across state boundaries. Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras stationed at empanelled hospitals assist patients with identification, verification, admission procedures, hospital coordination and support throughout treatment.

The government is also using newspapers, television, radio, community outreach, street plays, digital displays, social media and beneficiary testimonials to increase awareness about enrolment and portability. With universal geographical implementation, an expanded beneficiary base and interoperable digital systems, AB PM-JAY is developing into a nationwide health assurance network designed to reduce financial barriers to hospital care.

Reference

Press Information Bureau, Government of India. “Update on Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana: AB PM-JAY Achieves Pan-India Implementation.” Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 28 July 2026. Information provided by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.