Fifteen states, and five Union Territories joined the central government’s flagship Ayushman Bharat–National Health Protection Mission that will provide more than 100 million families with annual insurance medical coverage. (India has twenty-nine states and seven Union Territories. The states have their own government while the Union Territories are governed by the federal or “union”government.)
Federal minister for healthcare, J. P. Nadda said that the active participation of the states and Union Territories was important for the success of this initiative, and that the federal government will design the policy framework and extend support. “We shall work together, learn together, so that we work with the spirit of cooperative federalism, to perfect this largest health assurance scheme in the world.” He added that 80% of the beneficiaries in the rural areas have been identified based on their socio-economic background. Citizens from the underprivileged and marginalized sections of society in urban areas will also be eligible for the cashless treatment facilities.
The funding for the scheme will be shared – 60:40 for all states and Union Territories with their own legislature; 90:10 in North East states and the three Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and 100% federal funding for Territories without a legislature.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
