On September 23, Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme, now also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (Prime Minister’s Health Plan for the People) or PM-JAY, was launched in India. The world’s largest healthcare scheme covers 450 districts (counties) and seeks to accelerate India’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development.
85 percent of rural families and 60 per cent of urban families have been identified so far. All the beneficiaries will be provided with letters carrying QR codes, and a demographic authentication will be conducted to verify a person’s eligibility to avail the benefits of the program. A Gold Card means that family and individual verification of a person has been completed with biometric data. Currently, 32 states and union territories in the country are part of the Ayushman Bharat program. 32,000 hospitals applied for empanellment. The program will be administered via corporate medical insurance companies. For example Bajaj Allianz General Insurance will provide health insurance in India’s northern state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
