At 18.17 Crore, Over Half of Ayushman Bharat Beneficiaries Women, Govt Tells Rajya Sabha
The data shows that the scheme is majorly dominated by women beneficiaries, with more than 2.49 crore of them in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Madhya Pradesh (2.08 crore) and Bihar (1.89 crore)
Women make up more than half of the beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat health insurance, the central government informed Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
According to the data shared by the ministry of health and family welfare, a total of 23.17 crore Ayushman cards have been issued in the last three years, starting in 2021-22 to 2023-24.
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“As on 12.03.2025, more than 18.17 crore Ayushman cards have been issued to women beneficiaries under AB-PMJAY," the health ministry told Parliament.
The data shows that the scheme is majorly dominated by women beneficiaries, with more than 2.49 crore women beneficiaries located in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Madhya Pradesh (2.08 crore) and Bihar (1.89 crore).
Ayushman Bharat, formally known as Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), is touted as the world’s largest health insurance scheme.
It provides health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care for hospitalisation. OPD services are not covered under the scheme.
The house was informed that in March 2024, a total of 37 lakh families of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) were also included in the scheme.
In October, the government expanded AB-PMJAY to provide free treatment benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh per year to approximately 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 years and above, belonging to 4.5 crore families, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
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