Ayushman Bharat

About this health scheme

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana), launched in September 2018, provides cashless hospitalisation coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year at 30,000+ empanelled government and private hospitals. PM-JAY is the world’s largest government-funded health insurance scheme, covering 55 crore+ people from the bottom 40% of India’s population as per the SECC 2011 database. The scheme covers 1,949 medical procedures including surgeries, chemotherapy, kidney dialysis, neonatal care, and mental health treatment — at no cost to the beneficiary. Beneficiaries can avail treatment in any empanelled hospital across any state, completely cashless, using the Ayushman Card. Senior citizens aged 70+ years now get an additional ₹5 lakh top-up cover. Over 8 crore hospitalisation cases have been covered under PM-JAY as of 2026.

Coverage at a glance

Scheme Name Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Yojana 2026 — ₹5 Lakh Free Health Insurance
Launched By Government of India
Launch Year 2018
Benefit ₹5 lakh/year cashless hospitalisation at 30,000+ hospitals (free for eligible families)
Category Health
Last Verified 21 June 2026
Official Portal https://pmjay.gov.in