Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday celebrated seven years of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, calling it a transformative force in India’s public healthcare landscape.
In a post on X, Modi reflected on the scheme’s forward-thinking design, aimed at delivering high-quality, affordable healthcare to all citizens. “Today we mark #7YearsOfAyushmanBharat! This was an initiative that anticipated the needs of the future and focussed on ensuring top quality as well as affordable healthcare for people,” he wrote, adding that the programme has brought dignity and financial protection to millions, and showcased how scale, compassion, and technology can empower lives.
The Prime Minister also amplified posts from MyGovIndia, which highlighted the scheme’s impact. Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has provided health coverage to over 55 crore people, making it one of the largest health assurance programmes globally.
To date, more than 41 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued, enabling families to access cashless medical services. Between FY 2015 and FY 2022, public health spending increased from 29% to 48%, while out-of-pocket expenses dropped from 63% to 39%.
Preventive care has been a major focus, with 55 crore hypertension screenings and 48 crore diabetes screenings conducted at Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs. The government also reported over 5.7 crore yoga and meditation sessions and the establishment of nearly 1.8 lakh Aarogya Mandirs across the country.
In terms of critical care, the scheme has broadened access to dialysis, cancer treatments, and major surgeries. Families have saved an estimated ₹10,000–₹15,000 per dialysis session, and access to cancer care has increased by 90%.
According to the Economic Survey 2024–25, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY has helped save more than ₹1.25 lakh crore in out-of-pocket medical expenses and prevents nearly six crore people annually from slipping into poverty due to healthcare costs.
The Union government describes Ayushman Bharat as the world’s largest health assurance initiative, connecting over four lakh healthcare facilities, nearly seven lakh professionals, and more than 72 crore health records.
