A recent annual report by the National Health Authority (NHA) for 2024-25 brings encouraging news: women now make up a substantial 49% of all hospital admissions under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). This significant figure underscores a remarkable improvement in women’s access to institutional healthcare through the government’s flagship health insurance scheme.
Among the various treatments, haemodialysis was the most frequently availed, accounting for 14% of admissions. This was followed by multiple package treatments (7%), acute febrile illness (4%), acute gastroenteritis, and cataract and related procedures (each at 3%).
Launched in 2018, AB-PMJAY stands as one of the world’s largest health assurance initiatives, offering health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family annually. Its reach continues to expand, with Odisha and Delhi recently joining the scheme. Today, 35 States and Union Territories, with only West Bengal as an exception, are part of the AB-PMJAY network.
As of March 31, 2025, the scheme effectively covers 15.14 crore eligible families. Additionally, 8.57 crore families benefit from State-specific schemes integrated with AB-PMJAY. Over 9.19 crore hospital admissions have been successfully facilitated, with treatments valuing ₹1,29,386 crore completed. The scheme boasts a vast network of 31,005 empanelled hospitals nationwide, comprising 55% public and 45% private facilities, ensuring broad accessibility.
Through nationwide Ayushman card saturation drives, over 40.45 crore cards have been issued, benefiting 14.69 crore families. The ‘Aapke Dwar Ayushman’ (ADA 3.0) initiative has played a crucial role in expanding this reach, utilizing technology-driven, community-focused self-registration campaigns to empower citizens at the grassroots level.
Further enhancing inclusivity, the 2023 interim Budget announced the extension of AB-PMJAY benefits to 37 lakh families of frontline workers, including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi workers, and helpers.
In a major development in October 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the expansion of AB-PMJAY to include all citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income or socio-economic background, thereby broadening its universal appeal.
While public hospitals remain vital for rural and low-income areas, private facilities are increasingly dominant for high-value medical procedures, particularly in oncology, cardiology, and orthopaedics. The NHA reported a consistent rise in private hospital participation, with a 12% increase in empanelment during FY2024-25.
The government’s commitment to integrated healthcare is also evident through the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). This mission is revolutionizing how hospitals manage patient data and claims. By March 2025, over 61.8 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) had been created, with 3.4 lakh healthcare facilities and 1.7 lakh professionals registered on the platform.
The seamless integration of AB-PMJAY and ABDM is paving the way for paperless, cashless, and interoperable healthcare services. This digital ecosystem is not only accelerating claim settlements but also significantly curbing fraudulent activities.
However, the NHA emphasizes that the long-term viability of the scheme hinges on consistent funding, prompt claim settlements, and sustained engagement from private hospitals across all regions. With numerous State health insurance programs now integrated into AB-PMJAY, the total projected outlay for FY2024-25 is expected to surpass ₹20,000 crore, highlighting its massive scale and impact.