Initiatives & Achievements-2025
1. At a Glance
- Annual year-end review by MoHFW (released 01 Jan 2026) covering flagship health schemes, infrastructure, digital health, and disease elimination progress in calendar year 2025 [S1][S2].
- Anchors the Ayushman Bharat umbrella (4 pillars: AAM, PM-JAY, PM-ABHIM, ABDM) plus disease control and Jan Aushadhi [S1][S2].
- Examiner-relevant because 2025 marks scheme expansion to Delhi & Odisha, full rollout of Ayushman Vay Vandana (70+ universal cover), and scaling of U-WIN digital immunisation [S1][S2].
2. Why in the News
- PIB year-end review (01 Jan 2026) consolidates 2025 numbers — used by UPSC for scheme-stat questions [S1].
- AB PM-JAY rolled out to NCT Delhi and Odisha in 2025 via MoUs, completing near-pan-India coverage [S1].
- Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (launched 29 Oct 2024) operationalised in 2025; ~94.2 lakh seniors enrolled [S1].
3. Background & Evolution
- Ayushman Bharat announced in Union Budget 2018; two original pillars (HWCs + PM-JAY) launched 23 Sep 2018 at Ranchi [S1].
- Health & Wellness Centres renamed "Ayushman Arogya Mandir" (AAM) in 2023; target 1,50,000 centres by upgrading SHCs/PHCs [S1].
- PM-ABHIM launched 2021 (₹64,180 cr outlay) to plug COVID-exposed infra gaps [S2].
- U-WIN (digital UIP) launched Oct 2024, modelled on Co-WIN [S2].
4. Core Static Facts
- Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; PM-JAY executed by National Health Authority (NHA) [S1].
- PM-JAY cover: ₹5 lakh/family/year for secondary & tertiary hospitalisation [S1].
- Ayushman Cards created: ~42.48 crore (as of 01 Dec 2025) [S1].
- Families covered: 12 crore (base) + ~4.5 cr additional under Vay Vandana [S1].
- Hospital admissions authorised: 10.98 crore worth ₹1.60 lakh crore [S1].
- Empanelled hospitals: 32,574 (incl. 15,532 private) [S1].
- Vay Vandana: universal cover for all citizens 70 years+, irrespective of income; ~6 cr individuals targeted [S1].
- PM-ABHIM administrative approvals: ₹32,928.82 cr for 9,519 SHC-AAM, 5,456 Urban AAM, 2,151 Block Public Health Units, 744 Integrated Public Health Labs, 621 Critical Care Blocks [S2].
- Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJP): 14,320 (as of 30 Nov 2024); 64.55 cr Suvidha sanitary pads sold [S2].
- UPHC quality certification: 869 National + 317 State level (as on 31 Oct 2025) [S2].
5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Economic / Fiscal - ₹1.60 lakh cr in hospitalisation cost authorised under PM-JAY reduces catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditure [S1]. - Jan Aushadhi reduces drug prices ~50-80% vs branded equivalents [S2].
Social / Equity - Vay Vandana is means-test-free — first universal elderly health insurance in India [S1]. - AAMs decentralise CPHC (RCH + NCDs incl. oral/breast/cervix cancer screening) [S1].
Administrative / Federal - Insurance is opt-in for states (West Bengal still outside); 2025 onboarding of Delhi & Odisha narrows the gap [S1]. - PM-ABHIM funds flow as Centrally Sponsored Scheme with state co-financing [S2].
Scientific / Technological - Ayushman App offers face-auth, IRIS, fingerprint, OTP authentication [S1]. - U-WIN digitises immunisation from birth to age 17; eSanjeevani integrated with ABDM for telemedicine [S2].
6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)
- 29 Oct 2024: PM launched Ayushman Vay Vandana Card [S1].
- Oct 2024: U-WIN portal launched nationally [S2].
- 2025: PM-JAY rollout MoUs with Delhi and Odisha [S1].
- As of 01 Dec 2025: 42.48 cr Ayushman Cards; 94.19 lakh Vay Vandana enrolments [S1].
- 31 Oct 2025: 869 UPHCs nationally quality-certified under PM-ABHIM [S2].
7. Prelims Hooks
- AB-HWCs were renamed Ayushman Arogya Mandir [S1].
- PM-JAY benefit cap: ₹5 lakh per family per year [S1].
- Vay Vandana eligibility age: 70 years and above [S1].
- NHA (not NHM) administers PM-JAY [S1].
- PM-ABHIM administrative approval to date: ₹32,928.82 crore [S2].
- Jan Aushadhi Kendras count: 14,320 (Nov 2024) [S2].
- U-WIN launched October 2024; covers birth to 17 years [S2].
- AAMs screen for 3 common cancers: oral, breast, cervix [S1].
- Empanelled hospitals under PM-JAY: 32,574 (Dec 2025) [S1].
- States added to PM-JAY in 2025: Delhi & Odisha [S1].
- Ayushman App supports face-auth, OTP, IRIS, fingerprint [S1].
- PM-JAY launched on 23 September 2018 at Ranchi [S1].
8. Mains Relevance
- GS-II — Welfare schemes; Issues relating to health.
- GS-III — Inclusive growth; Government budgeting (health expenditure).
- Probable stems: 1. "Universalisation of elderly health cover via Ayushman Vay Vandana marks a paradigm shift from targeted to rights-based health entitlement." Discuss. 2. Evaluate the role of PM-ABHIM in addressing systemic gaps exposed by COVID-19. 3. "Digital public infrastructure (ABDM, U-WIN, eSanjeevani) is reshaping primary healthcare delivery in India." Examine.
9. Related Topics to Study Next
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) — ABHA IDs, health records spine.
- National Health Policy 2017 — parent policy framework.
- PM-JAY vs RSBY — predecessor insurance comparison.
- National Medical Commission Act, 2019 — MBBS seat expansion link.
- Nikshay & TB Mukt Bharat 2025 — elimination target.
- PMBJP (Jan Aushadhi) — generic drug ecosystem.
- 15th Finance Commission health grants — fiscal federalism angle.
- NITI Aayog Health Index — outcome monitoring.
10. Common Errors / Trap Areas
- HWCs ≠ AAM in old material — both refer to the same thing post-rename [S1].
- PM-JAY is administered by NHA, not directly by MoHFW or NHM [S1].
- Vay Vandana cover is universal at age 70+, NOT income-tested — common trap [S1].
- PM-ABHIM ≠ PM-JAY — ABHIM is infrastructure (Centrally Sponsored), JAY is insurance [S2].
- U-WIN covers up to 17 years, not just under-5 [S2].
11. Sources
- [S1] Initiatives & Achievements-2025, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2210432 — (tier: 1)
- [S2] MoHFW Initiatives & Achievements-2025 (PDF) — https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2026/jan/doc202611749801.pdf — (tier: 1)