Delhi Joins Ayushman Bharat Scheme, Offering ₹10 Lakh Annual Health Coverage to Eligible Households

New Delhi: In a landmark move to strengthen healthcare accessibility, the Delhi government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has formally adopted the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in collaboration with the central government. With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday, Delhi becomes the 35th state or Union Territory to join the national health insurance programme, leaving West Bengal as the only remaining non-participant.

The scheme offers comprehensive and cashless healthcare coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per eligible household annually, with contributions equally shared by the central and Delhi governments (₹5 lakh each). It covers 1,961 medical procedures across 27 specialties, including hospitalisation, diagnostics, intensive care, surgical interventions, and prescribed medications.

The agreement was signed between Delhi’s administrative officials and the National Health Authority (NHA), the central agency responsible for overseeing AB-PMJAY’s implementation. Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were present at the signing ceremony.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, speaking at the event, described the development as a historic correction in Delhi’s healthcare trajectory. “For years, Delhi’s residents were deprived of this crucial national scheme due to political discord. While citizens across India benefited from Ayushman Bharat, our people were left behind,” she said. “Today marks a new beginning. Eligible households in Delhi will now receive ₹10 lakh in annual health insurance coverage, thanks to this joint initiative.”

The decision to implement AB-PMJAY was approved during the new government’s first cabinet meeting following the swearing-in of Chief Minister Gupta and her council of ministers on February 20. The BJP-led government assumed office in Delhi this February after a 26-year hiatus.

Following the agreement, a targeted beneficiary registration drive will be launched to ensure eligible families are enrolled and able to access services seamlessly under the scheme.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward universal healthcare access in the national capital, aligning Delhi with the broader national vision of equitable and inclusive health services for all.