Seven years after its launch, Ayushman Bharat has emerged as the government’s flagship health assurance scheme, extending protection to millions of Indians who might otherwise have been pushed into poverty by illness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described the initiative as a “revolution in public healthcare,” crediting it with providing both dignity and financial security to its beneficiaries. Introduced in September 2018 by the National Democratic Alliance government, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, popularly known as Ayushman Bharat, provides medical insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakh annually for poor families and senior citizens above the age of 70.
On X, Modi wrote: “Today we mark 7 years of Ayushman Bharat. This was an initiative that anticipated the needs of the future and focussed on ensuring top quality as well as affordable healthcare for people. Thanks to it, India is witnessing a revolution in public healthcare. It has ensured financial protection and dignity.” He further added, “India has shown how scale, compassion and technology can further human empowerment.”
The official Ayushman Bharat handle, tagged by the Prime Minister, highlighted that the scheme now covers over 55 crore citizens, describing it as the “world’s largest health assurance scheme”. More than 42 crore Ayushman cards have been issued so far.
Also read: Over 600 pvt hospitals in Haryana stop Ayushman Bharat services
According to government data, the scheme has contributed to a notable shift in health expenditure patterns. Public spending on healthcare has risen from 29 per cent to 48 per cent, while the out-of-pocket burden on citizens has reduced from 63 per cent to 39 per cent. Officials claim the scheme saves more than six crore families from poverty each year. “Millions of families saved from financial ruin during illness,” the official statement said.
The design of Ayushman Bharat was anchored in the idea that serious illness should not push families into destitution. With its reach, scale and integration of technology, it has not only expanded access to treatment but has also been credited with reshaping the discourse on universal health coverage in India.
Seven years on, the government portrays Ayushman Bharat as an emblem of its Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision – a scheme that demonstrates the use of scale and compassion in tackling one of the country’s most pressing challenges.
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