Parliament Question: Ayushman Cards

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 316* TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13THMARCH, 2026 AYUSHMAN CARDS *316. SHRI ARUN BHARTI: SMT. SHAMBHAVI: Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether the creation of 35.69 crore Ayushman cards by early 2026 proves the Government's success in implementing the largest health assurance scheme, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the authorization of 5.77 crore hospital admissions has effectively prevented millions of families in the country from falling into poverty due to medical expenses, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the special saturation campaign launched in January 2026 is likely to successfully ensure that every eligible citizen is covered under the PM-JAY umbrella, if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Rs.1.15 lakh crore spent on treatments in private hospitals demonstrates a successful public-private partnership in delivering secondary and tertiary medical care, if so, the details thereof; (e) whether the 5.6 per cent budget hike for AB-PMJAY in 2026-27 provides the necessary financial cushion to expand benefits to senior citizens above 70 years, if so, the details thereof; and (f) whether these achievements effectively establish "health security" as a fundamental right for the economically vulnerable population of the country, particularly in the Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituencies of Jamui, Khagaria and Samastipur in Bihar, Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh and Surat in Gujarat, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA) (a) to (f) AStatement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLYTO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 316* FOR 13TH MARCH, 2026 (a) to (f): Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) provides health coverage of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 12 crore families constituting bottom 40% of India’s population. Additionally, in March 2024, approximately 37 lakh families of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Anganwadi Workers (AWW) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWH) were included under the scheme. The scheme was further expanded to cover 6 crore senior citizens of age 70 years and above, belonging to 4.5 crore families, irrespective of their socio-economic status.As on 28.02.2026, a total of 43.52 crore Ayushman cards have been created under the scheme, which facilitates beneficiaries to access cashless healthcare services in empanelled hospitals. The Government of India, in collaboration with States/UTs, has taken several measures to increase Ayushman card saturation which includes implementation of “Aapke Dwar Ayushman”, a mission-mode campaign that mobilized an on-ground taskforce consisting of frontline workers and agents from service providers such as Common Service Centres, to undertake door-to-door visits to mobilize beneficiaries and assist them in creating Ayushman cards. The Beneficiary Identification System allows self-verification thereby eliminating unnecessary intermediaries. Ayushman Mobile Application enables on-the-go beneficiary verification and card creation using face-auth technology. The scheme has a comprehensive media and outreach strategy to spread awareness amongst beneficiaries on an ongoing basis and empower them. In addition to this, the beneficiaries may give a missed call to helpline number 1800-110-770 or call at 24x7 toll free helpline number 14555 for any scheme related assistance/queries. National Health Authority (NHA) monitors utilization patterns and actively encourages participation of private healthcare providers. As on 31.01.2026, a total of 11.46 crore hospital admissions, amounting to Rs. 1.69 lakh crore, have been authorised under the scheme. Out of these, 5.77 crore hospital admissions amounting to Rs. 1.15 lakh crore, have been authorised in private empanelled hospitals.As on 28.02.2026, a total of 1.14 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana cards have been created and 12.48 lakh hospital admissions amounting to Rs. 2802.20 crore have been authorised under this category. The Budget Estimate for FY 2026-27 has been done based on actual utilisation patterns, claim trends and the number of cards created. Based on utilisation trends, it is assessed that the Budget Estimates for FY 2026–27 are adequate to meet the financial requirements arising from the expanded senior citizen coverage. The constituency-wise data is not captured under the scheme, however, details regarding the progress of the scheme in the concerned districts of the Lok Sabha constituencies of Jamui, Khagaria and Samastipur in Bihar, Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, and Surat in Gujarat is at Annexure.Annexure Progress of AB-PMJAYin the given Lok Sabha constituency (as on 28.02.2026) Lok Sabha District No. of No. of No. of No. of constituency Ayushman Ayushman Vay hospitals hospital cards created Vandana cards empanelled admissions (in lakh) created authorised Jamui Jamui 6.93 3,276 15 34,006 Munger 4.91 5,835 12 43,620 Sheikhpur 2.70 4,199 9 20,494 Khagaria Khagaria 6.56 3,079 10 49,164 Saharsa 8.38 3,853 17 65,716 Samastipur Samastipur 17.90 9,023 43 1,15,444 Darbhanga 19.48 13,805 55 1,64,638 Ghaziabad Ghaziabad 6.45 38,065 116 1,19,775 Hapur 3.70 15,277 54 80,378 Surat Surat 18.90 1,08,031 151 4,77,647 *****