The expansion of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance programme has marked a major milestone in India’s public healthcare journey. Over the past five years, more than 5.69 crore Ayushman cards have been generated, enabling eligible beneficiaries to access cashless treatment under the flagship scheme. As of January 2026, authorised hospital admissions under the programme have crossed ₹1.15 lakh crore, reflecting the scale and reach of the initiative.

Launched in 2018 under the umbrella of Ayushman Bharat, the scheme includes the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), which provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. The initiative primarily targets economically vulnerable families, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and prevent financial distress caused by healthcare emergencies.

The issuance of 5.69 crore Ayushman cards signifies not only growing awareness but also improved digital verification and beneficiary identification processes across states. These cards enable beneficiaries to avail treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals nationwide, ensuring portability and access even when patients travel outside their home states.

The authorised hospital admissions worth ₹1.15 lakh crore demonstrate the financial protection extended to millions of families. Treatments covered under the scheme include surgeries, oncology procedures, cardiac interventions, orthopaedic care, and other major medical services. The substantial claim value also highlights increasing trust in the scheme among both beneficiaries and healthcare providers.

Government officials have emphasized that the expansion reflects continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, digitisation, and hospital empanelment. Over the years, the network of participating hospitals has grown significantly, improving accessibility in rural and semi-urban regions. Additionally, technological upgrades have streamlined claim approvals, fraud detection mechanisms, and real-time monitoring systems.

Healthcare economists note that large-scale public insurance programmes such as Ayushman Bharat play a critical role in advancing universal health coverage goals. By reducing catastrophic health expenditures, the scheme contributes to poverty alleviation and improves overall public health outcomes. The rise in authorised admissions also indicates better healthcare-seeking behaviour among previously underserved populations.

However, experts also point out the need for continuous monitoring to ensure service quality, timely reimbursements, and balanced participation of private hospitals. Strengthening primary healthcare linkages and expanding preventive care initiatives under Ayushman Bharat’s Health and Wellness Centres component remain key areas of focus.

As India moves forward, the sustained expansion of Ayushman Bharat underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive healthcare delivery. With crores of families already benefiting and financial coverage exceeding ₹1.15 lakh crore, the scheme continues to evolve as one of the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance programmes.

The coming years are expected to bring further digital integration, enhanced coverage, and improved outreach, reinforcing the foundation for a more equitable and accessible healthcare system across the country.