New Delhi – The Delhi government has officially commenced the distribution of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) health cards to eligible residents, marking a crucial step in extending universal healthcare access to the city’s economically vulnerable population. The distribution began today, April 10, 2025, with a formal launch event held at Plenary Hall in Vigyan Bhawan, where the first batch of beneficiaries received their cards.
With this move, Delhi becomes the 35th state or union territory in India to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme. This development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi. West Bengal remains the only state that has yet to adopt the scheme.
The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme, which was rolled out nationally in 2018, is designed to provide financial protection against catastrophic health expenditures for the country’s most economically disadvantaged families. The scheme offers an annual health cover of ₹5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization across public and empaneled private hospitals in India.
Additional ₹5 Lakh Health Cover Announced by Delhi Government
In a significant augmentation of the central scheme, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the state government will extend an additional ₹5 lakh health cover, effectively doubling the annual insurance protection available to the city’s residents under PM-JAY to a total of ₹10 lakh.
This move is expected to benefit around 6.54 lakh families in Delhi, with the distribution process beginning immediately. “The card distribution will begin today and will continue over the next few weeks, targeting the first phase of approximately 2.60 lakh enrolled beneficiaries,” CM Gupta confirmed.
Initial Phase to Cover Over 2.60 Lakh Registered Beneficiaries
Health Minister Pankaj Singh provided further details regarding the rollout. He stated that about 400 to 500 cards would be distributed on the first day alone. Over the following 40 to 42 days, the government plans to distribute cards to all beneficiaries registered in the initial phase.
Singh also emphasized the robust digital infrastructure that has been established to facilitate the implementation of the scheme in Delhi. Once a beneficiary completes their registration, their details are updated on the official PM-JAY portal, and a confirmation message is sent to their mobile device to ensure transparency and eliminate delays.
Criticism of Previous Government for Delays
The Delhi Health Minister also took the opportunity to criticize the former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration, accusing it of blocking the scheme for political reasons. Singh alleged that the AAP government’s decision to stall implementation had deprived lakhs of residents of healthcare benefits that citizens in other states had been availing for years.
“The previous administration stalled this crucial healthcare initiative because of short-sighted political agendas. As a result, people of Delhi were left without access to PM-JAY while the rest of India moved forward,” Singh said.
He assured that the current administration has now established a transparent and corruption-free process, eliminating the need for intermediaries and simplifying registration and fund disbursement for beneficiaries.
Tech-Enabled and Transparent Enrollment Process
Officials stated that Ayushman Bharat registration camps have been set up across various parts of the national capital. Beneficiaries can also register through Delhi government healthcare facilities, Common Service Centres (CSCs), and empaneled private hospitals.
To minimize chances of fraud and ensure accurate targeting, the system is equipped with Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. Real-time data synchronization with the national PM-JAY database will also help maintain consistency and avoid duplication.
Citizens who are eligible under Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data and those holding ration cards issued under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) will be prioritized in the initial stages of distribution.
Rising Healthcare Costs and the Need for Public Health Coverage
The rollout of the scheme in Delhi comes against the backdrop of rising healthcare costs in private hospitals, which have made quality treatment unaffordable for a large section of the population. The dual coverage of ₹10 lakh now places Delhi at a significant advantage, especially for low-income families with multiple health challenges.
Public health experts have welcomed the decision, describing it as a step toward bridging the healthcare inequality gap in the capital. Many believe the scheme will also decongest overburdened government hospitals, as beneficiaries now have the option to seek treatment from empaneled private facilities.
Private Hospitals in Delhi to Play a Key Role
Under the PM-JAY framework, a wide range of tertiary and secondary healthcare services are covered, including surgeries, cancer treatment, cardiac procedures, and dialysis. More than 1,500 medical packages are available under the scheme, and Delhi’s private hospitals are expected to be a major partner in delivering these services.
The Delhi government is currently working on finalizing the list of empaneled private hospitals eligible to provide treatment under the scheme. These hospitals will be required to meet stringent criteria related to infrastructure, staffing, and transparency in billing.
How Beneficiaries Can Check Eligibility and Receive Cards
Beneficiaries can verify their eligibility for PM-JAY through the official Ayushman Bharat website or by visiting their nearest CSC. Once their documents are validated and their names appear in the central database, they will be issued Ayushman Bharat e-cards.
The card contains a QR code and unique identification number, which hospitals can scan to access patient records and process cashless treatment under the scheme.
Delhi government officials have also launched an awareness campaign across print, digital, and broadcast media to educate the public about the scheme, the eligibility criteria, and the process for accessing treatment.
Political and Administrative Backing for PM-JAY Rollout
The implementation of Ayushman Bharat in Delhi has been a long-anticipated move, particularly after the change in the political administration earlier this year. The new leadership has made healthcare expansion a priority, and the formal adoption of PM-JAY marks the beginning of a broader strategy to improve public health infrastructure in the capital.
The state’s additional contribution to healthcare funding also sets a precedent for collaborative federalism, where both the Centre and state governments work in tandem to deliver critical public welfare services.
The rollout of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana in Delhi represents a transformative shift in how the city approaches public healthcare. With more than 6.5 lakh families set to benefit from the combined ₹10 lakh annual coverage, and a tech-enabled, corruption-free distribution system in place, the scheme is poised to reshape healthcare accessibility for the capital’s most vulnerable populations. As the cards continue to be distributed over the coming weeks, the initiative may well emerge as a benchmark for healthcare inclusivity and governance efficiency in urban India.
