Ayushman Bharat Scheme Reaches 60 Crore Beneficiaries on Eighth Anniversary

On September 23, 2026, officials confirmed the continued operation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the scheme now provides affordable healthcare to over 60 crore beneficiaries, offering an annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh, making it the world's largest health protection scheme. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda added that over 60 crore people are covered, with more than 13 crore beneficiaries having already availed treatment under the scheme.

The scheme, which operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has facilitated treatment for beneficiaries through over 39,000 empanelled public and private hospitals. Nadda noted that beneficiaries had availed treatment worth more than Rs 2 lakh crore through the program.