Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the state with the highest number of Ayushman Cards, reaching an impressive 4 crore beneficiaries. Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh follow closely at the second and third positions, boasting 3.69 crore and 2.04 crore Ayushman cards, respectively. Notably, nearly half of these Ayushman Cards, a substantial 49%, belong to female beneficiaries.

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), an initiative of the National Health Authority (NHA), reached a milestone of 26 crore Ayushman cards nationwide on October 19, 2023. Under this flagship scheme, health coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization is extended to 12 crore beneficiary families.

Creating Ayushman cards is a fundamental activity within the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY program, and continuous efforts are made to ensure that every eligible beneficiary possesses one. This endeavor aligns with the Ayushman Bhavah campaign launched on September 13, 2023. Since the beginning of the campaign, over 1.5 crore Ayushman Card requests have been successfully received through NHA's IT platform. In the month of October 2023 alone, an impressive 86 lakh Ayushman Cards were created by the 19th of the month.

To extend these benefits to the farthest reaches of the country, NHA introduced the 'Ayushman App' for Ayushman Card creation, featuring a unique self-verification option. In just four simple steps, users can create their Ayushman Cards without visiting any card creation center. This feature also allows individuals to assist beneficiaries in creating their Ayushman cards, promoting Jan Bhagidari (public participation). The app's success is evident in the fact that it has been downloaded more than 26 lakh times since its launch on September 13, 2023.

Today, the Ayushman Card represents equity, entitlement, and empowerment. It assures underprivileged families that they will be shielded from the dual challenges of illness and the financial burden associated with its treatment. The government remains committed to ensuring that all eligible beneficiaries possess an Ayushman Card.

As per the Ministry of Health, the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY has delivered remarkable results, facilitating 5.7 crore hospital admissions valued at over Rs. 70,000 crore. This has led to substantial savings, surpassing Rs. 1 lakh crore, in out-of-pocket expenditures for poor and deprived families. Ayushman Cards have undoubtedly become a symbol of hope and support, ensuring that healthcare reaches those who need it the most.