Ayushman Bharat Proposal: The Central Government may soon make a significant announcement regarding Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
A report states, “The committee believes that the age limit for Ayushman Bharat Yojana cards should be increased from 70 years to 60 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status.”
Ayushman Bharat Yojana: Major Announcement Expected Soon
The Central Government may soon make a significant announcement regarding Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Reports suggest that a proposal has been made to increase the coverage amount from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. However, the government has not yet made an official statement. Currently, beneficiaries of the scheme receive treatment up to ₹5 lakh for free.
According to a media report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health has recommended raising the coverage to ₹10 lakh due to the high healthcare costs. Additionally, there is a proposal to lower the age limit for eligibility, suggesting that all senior citizens aged 60 years and above should be included in the scheme.
Previously, the government had included citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their financial condition. The report further states, “The committee believes that the age limit for Ayushman Bharat Yojana should be reduced from 70 years to 60 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status, to expand the scheme for the benefit of the general public.”
Budgetary Concerns: Reduced Spending
According to the report, the committee also raised concerns about the reduced expenditure from the allocated budget. For the financial year 2024, ₹7,200 crore was allocated, but it was reduced to ₹6,800 crore, and the actual spending amounted to ₹6,670 crore. For the financial year 2025, the budget allocation was ₹7,605 crore, but by January 9, only ₹5,034.03 crore had been spent.
For the financial year 2026, the budget has been increased to ₹9,406 crore. This increase is likely due to the inclusion of elderly citizens and the expansion of the scheme in Odisha and Delhi.
