In a significant stride towards universal healthcare, the Delhi government has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central government to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). This move marks Delhi as the 35th state or Union Territory to embrace the Centre’s flagship health insurance program, aimed at providing quality medical care to economically weaker sections of the population.
Under the newly signed agreement, the people of Delhi will now be eligible for annual health coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family. This is a result of the Delhi government agreeing to add an additional ₹5 lakh to the ₹5 lakh provided by the Centre under the original scheme. The enhanced health insurance coverage is set to benefit thousands of households across the capital, especially those who previously had to bear the burden of expensive medical treatments out-of-pocket.
The implementation of the scheme in Delhi was formalized in the presence of Union Health Minister J P Nadda and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Chief Minister Gupta expressed her satisfaction over finally being able to bring the scheme to Delhi, blaming the previous government’s unwillingness to cooperate with the Centre for the delay. She emphasized that Delhi’s residents had long been deprived of the benefits enjoyed by citizens in other states under the Ayushman Bharat initiative.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme covers a comprehensive range of 1,961 medical procedures across 27 specialties. It offers cashless and paperless access to treatment in both public and empanelled private hospitals, including surgeries, diagnostic tests, ICU admissions, and post-hospitalization care. With over 30,000 hospitals across India already on board, beneficiaries can seek treatment across a wide network, ensuring prompt and standardized healthcare delivery.
In a bid to ensure a smooth rollout, the Delhi government has also announced that the distribution of Ayushman Bharat health cards will begin on April 10. These cards will serve as identification for beneficiaries and allow them to avail themselves of the scheme’s facilities at empanelled hospitals without the hassle of paperwork. The health card drive is expected to streamline access and significantly increase awareness about the scheme.
This decision comes as one of the earliest administrative steps taken by the newly elected BJP-led government in Delhi, which assumed office in February after nearly three decades. The leadership sees this as a fulfillment of its promise to prioritize healthcare and ensure that no Delhi resident is denied quality treatment due to financial constraints.
The launch of Ayushman Bharat in Delhi is not just a policy move—it symbolizes a broader commitment to healthcare equity. By bridging the gap between central and state governance in health, this initiative holds the potential to transform how Delhiites experience and access medical care. As the capital city joins the rest of the nation under this health mission, the focus now shifts to implementation, efficiency, and public participation to make this scheme truly impactful.