Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asserted that the Ayushman Bharat scheme has brought about a revolution in public healthcare in India, as the country marks seven years since the programme’s launch.

According to the Prime Minister, the scheme, formally launched in 2018, “anticipated the needs of the future” by focusing on both quality and affordability of healthcare. Thanks to Ayushman Bharat, he said, India now provides better financial protection and dignity for its beneficiaries.

The annual health cover under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is ₹5 lakh per family.

More than 55 crore citizens are now covered under the scheme.

Over 42 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued so far.

Government health expenditure has increased from about 29% to 48%, while out-of-pocket healthcare costs borne by individuals have dropped from 63% to around 39%.

The PM said that millions of families have been saved from financial ruin due to illness under the scheme.

That Ayushman Bharat was not only a welfare scheme, but also a forward-looking policy that integrates technological tools, scale, and compassion to ensure universal access and dignity in health care.

The importance of reducing financial burden on patients, especially for senior citizens (above 70) and the economically vulnerable.

The scheme is often described by the government as the world’s largest health assurance scheme, given the number of beneficiaries.

By lowering out-of-pocket expenses, Ayushman Bharat aims to reduce poverty caused by catastrophic health costs.

The digital and wellness components (e.g. screenings, preventive diagnostics) are being emphasized under the broader Ayushman Bharat umbrella to shift healthcare from reactive to preventive.