Sivaramakrishnan

Expert

Published on: Sep 25, 2026

Ayushman Bharat Yojana

The Ayushman Bharat Yojana is a 'National Health Protection Scheme' introduced by the Central Government of India in the budget 2018. This scheme provides a health insurance coverage of Rs. 5 lakh to underprivileged families to support their healthcare needs.

Through this initiative, nearly 10 crore families will benefit, translating to over 50 crore individuals gaining access to health protection. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the features, eligibility criteria, and enrollment procedures associated with the scheme.

Features of Ayushman Bharat Yojana

  • The Yojana aims to create a robust health and wellness infrastructure while extending insurance coverage to at least 40 percent of India's population.
  • This scheme improves upon the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana by covering the unorganized sectors effectively.
  • Each eligible Indian family can receive up to Rs. 5 lakh for medical expenses.
  • Beneficiaries have access to cashless treatment in both private and government hospitals across the nation.
  • The scheme facilitates cashless healthcare treatments for patients.
  • It also establishes wellness centers designed to provide comprehensive patient care. Future upgrades will transform public health centers into wellness hubs.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility requirements include inclusion in the SECC 2011 data (Socio-Economic Caste Census), conducted nationwide. The criteria rely on numerous parameters such as:

  • Literacy rates
  • Median household income
  • Poverty levels
  • Occupation types
  • Geographical location
  • Access to education
  • Availability of housing
  • Access to sanitation, water, and electricity
  • Possession of a valid Aadhar card

Note: The scheme does not impose a restriction on family size.

Required Documents

Applicants must provide the following documents for registration:

  • Aadhar ID connected to a valid bank account
  • Relevant special category certificates
  • Age proof
  • Family structure documentation
  • Identification details
  • Contact information
  • A scanned copy of Aadhar
  • Income certificate
  • Caste certificate

Implementation Phases

The scheme's rollout is scheduled in three phases, with the first phase initiated on 2nd October 2018. Documentation processes are expected to conclude by June 2018.

Registration Procedure

Although launched in April, full registration procedures are pending release. The Government has indicated that there will be no charges incurred during registration.

To explore the benefits of tax savings for senior citizens, visit Income Tax Benefits for Seniors.

Learn about various compliance requirements for proprietorships in different regions at Proprietorship Compliance in Kolkata and Coimbatore.

For more information on design registration, consider reading about the process in Aligarh.

Discover the advantages of registering agents under RERA by visiting the RERA Registration for Agents in Uttar Pradesh.

Enhance your business understanding by exploring the Presumptive Taxation Scheme for Business.

Back to Learn

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

Ayushman Bharat Yojana is a National Health Protection Scheme introduced by the Government of India to provide health insurance coverage of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year to poor and vulnerable families. It aims to benefit around 50 crore people from nearly 10 crore eligible families.
Families included in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data and possessing a valid Aadhaar card are eligible for the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The scheme does not have any limitation on family size.
The required documents for registration include a valid Aadhaar ID linked to a bank account, age proof documents, family structure details, contact information, scanned copy of Aadhaar, income certificate, and caste certificate.
Yes, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana enables beneficiaries to avail cashless treatment facilities from both private and government hospitals across the country.
The Ayushman Bharat Yojana will be implemented in three phases. The first phase was launched on October 2nd, 2018, and the relevant documentation was completed by the end of June 2018.
No, according to the latest update from the Government, the registration process for the Ayushman Bharat Yojana will not incur any charges.
The Ayushman Bharat Yojana focuses on creating a health and wellness infrastructure and extending insurance coverage to at least 40 percent of the Indian population.
The Ayushman Bharat Yojana overcomes the flaw of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana by covering the unorganized sectors, which were not covered under the latter scheme.
The Ayushman Bharat Yojana offers health insurance coverage of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for eligible Indian families.
Yes, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana aims to provide wellness centers to care for patients. In the future, the government plans to upgrade existing public health centers into wellness centers.