Table of Contents
Central Government Schemes
1. Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY & Health & Wellness Centres
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB–PM‑JAY) Central Government Health scheme is the world’s largest public health insurance initiative, offering ₹5 lakh annual coverage per family. Beneficiaries now number around 8 crore, with states like Odisha even extending coverage beyond central guidelines
- Senior citizens ≥ 70 years are now expressly included under PM‑JAY—a recent cabinet decision ensures that up to 4.5 crore additional elderly receive coverage irrespective of income
- Between April–June 2025, over 1 crore health cards (AB–PM‑JAY & Odisha’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana) were issued in Odisha alone; additional Ayushman Vay Vandana cards are being rolled out to elderly citizens
Complementing this, the Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) are being set up at the SHC/PHC level, aiming for accessible, preventive, promotive, and rehabilitation care closer to communities. The mission operates under PM‑ABHIM with an outlay of ₹64,180 crore
2. Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
The PMBJP (“Jan Aushadhi”) scheme provides generic medicines at 50–80% less than branded alternatives via dedicated outlets. With more than 14,000 centers nationwide and over 14,080 shops by mid-2024, the scheme has recorded ₹1,094 crore in annual sales—up 30% year-over-year . These kiosks greatly assist Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries in reducing their medication expenditure.
3. Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) & 8th Pay Commission Initiatives
The CGHS, catering to central government employees and pensioners, has recently shifted to a new Health Management Information System (HMIS), launched on April 28, 2025. This digital platform simplifies service delivery, streamlines payments, and improves transparency scedausa.in+2financialexpress.com+2economictimes.indiatimes.com+2.
Looking ahead, the 8th Pay Commission recommends revamping CGHS into a hybrid cashless insurance model, with tier-based coverage up to ₹10–25 lakh, and expanded OPD and inpatient networks, especially benefitting pensioners and non-metros ndtv.com+5financialexpress.com+5scedausa.in+5.
4. Other Supportive Health Measures
While not exclusively “health schemes,” several initiatives tangentially boost public health:
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) offers pregnant and lactating women cash transfers to support nutrition and safe childbirth
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has ensured massive food security during emergencies, feeding over 7.4 billion beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic
📈 Central Government Schemes Impact & Real-World Improvements
- Financial Protection & Access
- Out‑of‑pocket expenses have decreased from 62% to 38% under PM‑JAY
- Generic medicines from PMBJP significantly reduce drug costs, supporting both insured and uninsured populations.
- Elderly & Vulnerable Groups
- Coverage expansion for senior citizens ensures ongoing care without financial burden
- Increased enrollment through targeted outreach, eLOKYC, and proactive card distribution drives inclusion .
- Strengthened Infrastructure
- The rollout of 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and 17 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Delhi enhances community-level services like immunization, mental health, elderly care, lab tests, and affordable meds
- Health & Wellness Centres are bridging gaps in rural healthcare—providing broader services than traditional PHCs/SHCs.
- Digitization & Governance
- CGHS’s HMIS upgrade improves administrative efficiency and accountability
- Digital health IDs and e-records under PM‑Digital Health Mission support integrated, patient-centric care
🔍 Challenges & Recommendations
- Awareness Gaps: Despite widespread coverage, many eligible families remain uninformed. Targeted IEC campaigns, door-to-door outreach, and engagement with local NGOs could increase enrollment.
- Office Implementation: States like Punjab have fallen short in fully deploying PM‑JAY, impacting service access
- Quality of Care: Overcrowded public hospitals under PM‑JAY require more infrastructure support and enhanced regulation to prevent misuse.
- Monitoring & Feedback: User feedback and periodic audits are essential to ensure scheme integrity and address grievances promptly.
🚀 Central Government Schemes Looking Ahead
- National Rollouts: Continued expansion of HWCs, elderly coverage, CGHS revamp, and PMBJP stores.
- Technology Integration: Scaling digital health IDs, telemedicine, mobile labs, and centralized grievance systems.
- Public–Private Collaboration: Greater partnerships with private hospitals and pharmacies can expand service delivery and ensure equitable access.
✅ Conclusion
India’s central government schemes—Ayushman Bharat, PMBJP, CGHS modernisation, and maternal support programs—are collectively revolutionizing health accessibility, financial security, and infrastructure across the country. While significant strides have been made in ensuring inclusivity and reach, sustained efforts are needed in awareness, quality assurance, and technological integration. With robust policymaking and responsive implementation, India is on track to achieve universal health coverage and significantly improve public health outcomes in the years ahead.