The Delhi government will sign an MoU with the Union Health Ministry and the National Health Authority on 5th of March to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the capital. This move marks Delhi’s official adoption of the nationwide health insurance scheme, offering expanded healthcare benefits.With this development, Delhi will become the 35th state or Union Territory to adopt AB-PMJAY, which offers free health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare services to economically disadvantaged families.The signing ceremony will be attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Health Minister JP Nadda, as stated in an official release.
Before the signing, CM Gupta held a Cabinet meeting to review the scheme’s rollout. She announced ₹5 lakh health coverage from the Centre, plus an additional ₹5 lakh from the Delhi government, totaling ₹10 lakh, alongside a statewide awareness campaign.Once operational in Delhi, AB-PMJAY will cover 1,961 medical procedures, including medications, diagnostic tests, surgical interventions, ICU care, consultation fees, hospitalisation charges, and the use of medical equipment. So far, 91 hospitals comprising 46 private facilities, 34 Delhi government hospitals, and 11 central government institutions have been empaneled to deliver services under the scheme.
In 2023, the central government expanded the scheme to include all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their financial status.To further enhance healthcare services under Ayushman Bharat, the Delhi government plans to establish Ayushman Arogya Mandirs as part of the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. These new health centers will complement the existing Mohalla Clinics and offer a broader spectrum of services. A total of 123 such centers are expected to be operational by the financial year 2025–26, with the first batch likely to open by mid-April.These Arogya Mandirs will not only treat common illnesses but also provide maternal and child healthcare, emergency services, elderly care, management of infectious and chronic diseases including TB, and palliative care.
