Expanding Universal Healthcare: The Growth of AB-PMJAY

The Indian government recently announced significant achievements regarding Ayushman Bharat health coverage. During a Rajya Sabha session on Tuesday, Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav shared updated statistics as of February 28, 2026. Currently, the country has created 43.52 crore Ayushman cards for eligible beneficiaries. Furthermore, this total includes 1.14 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana cards specifically for senior citizens aged 70 and above. This expansion highlights the government's commitment to protecting vulnerable populations from high medical costs.

Infrastructure and Ayushman Bharat health coverage

To support this massive beneficiary base, the government has empanelled 36,229 hospitals under the scheme. This network comprises 19,483 public facilities and 16,746 private hospitals. Consequently, patients can access high-quality treatment through a robust public-private partnership. The scheme provides annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. Moreover, the current Health Benefit Package offers cashless treatment for 1,961 procedures across 27 specialties. This diversity ensures that patients receive comprehensive care for various medical conditions.

Digital Integration and Future Outlook

The digital health ecosystem has also witnessed substantial growth alongside physical infrastructure. Currently, authorities have created more than 86 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA). Additionally, they have successfully linked over 90 crore health records to these accounts. More than 2.5 lakh healthcare facilities now use software enabled by the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Therefore, healthcare providers can access patient histories securely and efficiently. So far, the government has authorized over 11.69 crore hospital admissions worth ₹1.73 lakh crore. These figures demonstrate the significant impact of the mission on national health security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who is eligible for the Ayushman Vay Vandana cards?

All senior citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible for these cards, regardless of their socio-economic status. This specific expansion provides them with additional health coverage of ₹5 lakh annually.

Q2: Is the ABHA card mandatory to receive treatment under AB-PMJAY?

While the ABHA card helps in linking health records and streamlining care, it is not mandatory for receiving benefits. Eligible citizens can use their Ayushman cards to access cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital.

Q3: How many medical specialties are covered under the scheme?

The scheme currently covers 27 medical specialties and includes over 1,900 different medical and surgical procedures.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or replace professional judgment. Refer to the latest local and national guidelines for clinical practice.

References

1. 43.5 cr Ayushman Cards Issued; Over 36,000 hospitals empanelled under AB-PMJAY - ETHealthworld


2. National Health Authority (NHA). Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Official Dashboard 2026.


3. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Press Release on Ayushman Vay Vandana Expansion.