The medical insurance scheme provides annual health cover of ₹5 lakh and covers the poor and all senior citizens above the age of 70
New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, hailed Ayushman Bharat as a transformative force in India’s public healthcare sector. Launched in 2018, the flagship medical insurance scheme offers an annual health cover of ₹5 lakh, extending benefits to economically weaker sections and all senior citizens above 70 years of age.
Modi highlighted that Ayushman Bharat has revolutionized access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, providing both financial protection and dignity to beneficiaries. “This initiative anticipated future needs and focused on top-quality healthcare for the people. It has ensured financial protection and dignity,” he said on X. Emphasizing the role of technology and scale, he added that India has demonstrated how innovation can empower citizens.
According to government data, the scheme now covers over 55 crore individuals, with more than 42 crore Ayushman cards issued. It has significantly increased government health expenditure from 29% to 48% while reducing out-of-pocket expenses for citizens from 63% to 39%. Millions of families have been spared from financial hardship during medical emergencies, with over six crore households protected from poverty each year.
The Prime Minister underscored that Ayushman Bharat exemplifies a welfare model where compassion, technology, and scale converge to deliver universal healthcare, marking a milestone in India’s journey toward inclusive health security.