Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) provides free health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalization at government and empanelled private hospitals. It covers 1,949 medical procedures including surgeries, treatments and day care procedures.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme. Launched on 23 September 2018, it provides a health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 55 crore people — approximately 40% of India's population.
The scheme covers medical and surgical expenses for hospitalization including pre and post hospitalization expenses for 3 days and 15 days respectively. All pre-existing conditions are covered from day one. There is no restriction on family size, age or gender. The benefit cover is on a family floater basis — meaning the entire ₹5 lakh can be used by one member or shared among the family.
AB PM-JAY has a unique feature — it is entirely cashless and paperless. Beneficiaries do not need to pay anything at empanelled hospitals. All expenses including medicines, diagnostics, doctor fees, room charges and surgeon charges are covered.
Eligibility for Ayushman Bharat is determined based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. Families are automatically included based on their economic and social status. You do not need to apply separately if your family is in the SECC list.
The following categories are automatically eligible:
The Ayushman Bharat Golden Card (AB Card) is the official identity card for availing cashless treatment. Here is how to get it:
Ayushman Bharat covers 1,949 treatment packages across 27 specialties. Major treatments covered include:
Pre-hospitalisation expenses up to 3 days and post-hospitalisation expenses up to 15 days including medicines and diagnostics are also covered.
The following treatments and services are not covered under PM-JAY:
In September 2024, the Government of India announced a major expansion of Ayushman Bharat to cover all senior citizens aged 70 years and above. Key features:
Common questions about Ayushman Bharat Yojana — verified and updated 2025
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