Ayushman Bharat completed eight years on September 23, 2026, marking another important milestone for India’s public healthcare system. The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) was launched on September 23, 2018, to provide cashless health coverage to eligible families across the country. Over the years, the programme has expanded its beneficiary base, hospital network and digital health services.

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The scheme provides financial support for hospital treatment and is designed to reduce the burden of major medical expenses on families. As of September 23, 2026, more than 60 crore people were covered under AB PM-JAY.

Ayushman Bharat Provides ₹5 Lakh Health Cover

Under Ayushman Bharat, eligible families receive cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family every year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. This allows beneficiaries to receive treatment at empanelled hospitals without having to pay the covered amount directly at the hospital.

The scheme covers a wide range of medical procedures. As of 2026, AB PM-JAY covered 1,961 procedures across 27 medical specialties.

The focus on cashless treatment is intended to make hospital care easier to access for families who may otherwise face financial difficulties during serious illness or medical emergencies.

More Than 60 Crore People Covered

AB PM-JAY has expanded significantly since its launch in 2018. By September 23, 2026, the scheme covered more than 60 crore people.

The large beneficiary base makes Ayushman Bharat one of the world’s largest government-funded health insurance programmes. Its implementation involves both public and private hospitals that are approved under the programme.

The scheme uses digital beneficiary records and Ayushman cards to help people access eligible treatment at participating hospitals.

More Than 48 Crore Ayushman Cards Created

The expansion of the programme has also resulted in a large number of Ayushman cards being issued. More than 48.54 crore Ayushman cards had been created by September 23, 2026.

The Ayushman card acts as an important digital identification document for beneficiaries seeking treatment under the scheme. It helps hospitals verify eligibility and provide covered services through the programme.

The use of digital systems has also helped connect beneficiaries, hospitals and government authorities through a common healthcare network.

Over 13 Crore Hospital Admissions

The impact of Ayushman Bharat can also be seen through the number of hospital admissions supported by the programme. As of August 31, 2026, more than 13.25 crore hospital admissions had been funded under AB PM-JAY.

The total value of these hospital admissions was more than ₹2.03 lakh crore. The treatment was provided through more than 38,000 empanelled public and private hospitals.

The large hospital network gives beneficiaries access to healthcare facilities across different parts of the country. Both government hospitals and eligible private hospitals participate in the programme.

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Strengthen Primary Healthcare

Ayushman Bharat is not limited to hospitalisation. The programme also includes Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, which were earlier known as Health and Wellness Centres.

These centres focus on primary healthcare and provide services closer to communities. They are intended to help people access basic healthcare services without always needing to visit large hospitals.

By September 23, 2026, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs had recorded more than 500 crore visits. The large number of visits shows the growing use of these centres for healthcare services at the community level.

Primary healthcare is important because early detection and treatment can help prevent health problems from becoming more serious.

Senior Citizens Added to the Scheme

A major expansion of Ayushman Bharat took place in September 2024, when the scheme was extended to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their income.

This expansion brought older people into the health coverage system even if their families did not meet the earlier income-based eligibility conditions.

The move is particularly significant because older people often require more medical care and may face higher healthcare expenses. The expanded coverage allows eligible senior citizens to access treatment under the programme.

By September 21, 2026, more than 1.36 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana cards had been issued to senior citizens.

Digital Cards Make Access Easier

Digital technology plays an important role in the implementation of PM-JAY. Ayushman cards allow beneficiary details to be verified at participating hospitals.

The digital system helps connect patients with hospitals and supports the processing of treatment under the scheme. It also provides a structured way to manage information related to beneficiaries and hospital services.

For people seeking treatment, the ability to use a single health coverage card at empanelled hospitals can make the process more convenient.

Large Network of Public and Private Hospitals

The Ayushman Bharat programme works through a wide network of empanelled hospitals. These include government hospitals as well as approved private healthcare facilities.

More than 38,000 hospitals were part of the network as of August 31, 2026. This network is important because beneficiaries may need different types of medical services depending on their location and health condition.

The availability of both public and private hospitals also expands the number of healthcare facilities where eligible beneficiaries can receive covered treatment.

Union Budget Provides ₹9,500 Crore

The Union Budget 2026-27 allocated ₹9,500 crore for PM-JAY. The budgetary support continues the government’s funding for the health insurance programme and its implementation across the country.

The scheme remains a central government healthcare programme, with treatment delivered through empanelled hospitals and beneficiary access supported by digital cards.

As Ayushman Bharat completes eight years, its coverage now extends across hospital treatment, primary healthcare and senior citizen health protection. The programme’s expansion has created a large healthcare network connecting beneficiaries with hospitals and community-level health centres across India.