Ayushman Bharat completes eight years with 60 crore beneficiaries

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has finished eight years since its launch on September 23, 2018. The scheme gives cashless treatment coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family every year to poor families.

Scheme performance and coverage

By August 31, 2026, the scheme has paid for 13.25 crore hospital visits worth ₹2.03 lakh crore at more than 38,000 listed hospitals. Data shows over 60 crore people have cover, and 48.54 crore Ayushman cards exist. Also, 1.36 crore senior citizens aged 70 or older have received Ayushman Vay Vandana cards by September 21, 2026.

The scheme has 1,961 medical procedures across 27 specialities. Families qualify based on deprivation criteria, construction work, being transgender, waste picking, sanitation work, or belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Coverage also includes Accredited Social Health Activists, anganwadi workers, and helpers, for whom 44.81 lakh cards are ready.