PMJAY Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
Ayushman Bharat Yojana, also called Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), it is a flagship healthcare scheme started by the Government of India for helping those peoples who can't afford hospital expenses.
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Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY): Also Known as Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PMJAY) is India's largest government health insurance scheme giving INR 5 lakh cover per year for poor and vulnerable families, providing cashless treatment at hospitals across the country. Learn about benefits, eligibility, how to apply & why it's changing Indian healthcare.
PMJAY Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
What is Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Ayushman Bharat Yojana, also called Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), it is a flagship healthcare scheme started by the Government of India for helping those peoples who can't afford hospital expenses. Ayushman Bharat Scheme Launch Date is 2018 with a goal of Universal Health Coverage to make sure nobody leave behind in healthcare need. This scheme target the poorest and weakest sections in society, so they can get free and cashless services at most hospitals—both government and private.
Ayushman Bharat Yojana PMJAY Benefits
INR 5 Lakh Health Insurance Per Family
Under PMJAY, every eligible family gets health insurance of INR 5,00,000 per year. This cover is for hospitalisation in case of severe illnesses and surgeries. Actually, this is per family, not person, and there is no restriction of family size or age.
Cashless and Paperless Treatment Facility
Thanks to this scheme, patients can go to any empanelled hospital (public or private) in the country and receive treatmentwithout paying any money. The hospital can't ask for advance or money before/during discharge, making this scheme truly cashless.
Coverage for Wide Range of Medical Procedures
Around 1,949 medical treatments and procedures are covered
Covers pre-hospitalisation (up to 3 days) and post-hospitalisation expenses (up to 15 days)
Free medicines, lab tests, doctor's fees included
Pre-existing diseases also covered from day 1
Portability Across India
Patients can use the Ayushman card in any empanelled hospital in any state, not just where they live, so migrant workers, families living in different parts of India all can take benefit easily.
No Bar on Family Size or Age
Unlike most normal health insurances, here there is no upper limit on family size or age — even elderly and small kids all gets included under one family cover.
Free Health Insurance Even for Senior Citizens
A big announcement in Sep 2024—all senior citizens aged 70 years and above(no matter how much is their income) will receive free medical insurance of ₹5 lakh per year. Even senior citizens who already has other government/public/private health policy can also take additional cover under this scheme.
Ayushman Bharat Yojana PMJAY Eligibility?
Main Criteria for Eligibility
Targeted for poor and vulnerable families as per Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 list
Families with annual income less than ₹5 lakh (except for senior citizens where this is not checked)
Categories like landless households, families with no adult male (age 16–59), households with only disabled/elderly/SC/ST members, or working in unorganized sector (e.g. street vendors, domestic workers)
How to Check Ayushman Bharat Eligibility Online
Visit official website: pmjay.gov.in "Am I Eligible" section
Enter details like name, state, ration card, mobile etc. to see if your family is covered or not
PM-JAY Android/iOS mobile app also available for simple eligibility checking
Candidates can also PMJAY eligibility check by AADHAAR Number.
Documents Required
Aadhaar card is now needed (for e-KYC and Ayushman card issue)
Ration card, income certificate, proof of residence etc., as per the State NHA requirements.
PMJAY Gov in Registration
Check eligibility online first.
If eligible, take Aadhaar and other IDs to nearest Ayushman Bharat Kendra, government hospital, CSC centre, or empanelled hospital.
After verifying details and biometric authentication, you get your Ayushman Card printed.
Show this card at any hospital to claim benefits and for cashless treatment.
Top Hospitals Covered under Ayushman Bharat Yojana
All over country, more than 25,000 hospitals (govt + private) are empanelled for Ayushman Yojana. You can check full list of empanelled hospitals and their address at pmjay.gov.in registration
Core Goals of Ayushman Bharat Scheme
To protect poor families from sudden high medical expenses and debts.
To bring quality healthcare at affordable (or zero) cost for rural and urban poor.
To promote preventive health checkups, early diagnosis and healthy behaviours in society.
To deliver comprehensive need-based healthcare (covering maternal, childcare, NCDs and almost all major diseases) at primary, secondary, tertiary levels.