Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): Cover and Eligibility
Last updated: 2026-11-13 · MockMentor
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) gives cashless hospital cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year to poor and vulnerable families. It was launched on 23 September 2018 from Ranchi and covers over 10.74 crore families (about 50 crore people), identified from the SECC 2011. It took over the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (2008). It now runs in all 36 States and UTs.
In one line: free, cashless secondary and tertiary hospital care for the poorest 40% of Indians, at public and empanelled private hospitals anywhere in the country.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched | 23 September 2018 |
| Cover | ₹5 lakh per family per year, family floater |
| Families | 10.74 crore+ (about 50 crore people) |
| Eligibility | SECC 2011 deprivation (rural) and occupation (urban) criteria |
| Funding | 60:40; 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States; 100% for UTs without legislature |
| Agency | National Health Authority (NHA) and State Health Agencies |
Key features
- No cap on family size or age, no enrolment needed and pre-existing diseases covered from day one.
- Portable across India; covers 3 days before and 15 days after hospitalisation.
- About 1,961 procedures, including medicines, diagnostics and implants.
Latest expansions
- Ayushman Vay Vandana (29 October 2024): all senior citizens aged 70 and above covered regardless of income, with an extra ₹5 lakh top-up for families already covered.
- Delhi and Odisha joined in 2025, and West Bengal's entry made PM-JAY operational in all 36 States and UTs.
- 42.48 crore Ayushman cards by December 2025, 49% for women.
Possible exam questions
- Has PM-JAY reduced out-of-pocket health spending in India? Discuss.
- Should India move from insurance-based health schemes to stronger public hospitals?
Complete notes in our courses: this page gives the essentials. The Super-Elite and Elite courses carry the full chapter with every update merged in, plus practice MCQs. Compare the courses.
More in Health schemes
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
- Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
- PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)
- ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)
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