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 [1][2].
• Anchors the Ayushman Bharat umbrella (4 pillars: AAM, PM-JAY, PM-ABHIM, ABDM) plus disease control and Jan Aushadhi [1][2].
• 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 [1][2].

2. Why in the News

• PIB year-end review (01 Jan 2026) consolidates 2025 numbers — used by UPSC for scheme-stat questions [1].
• AB PM-JAY rolled out to NCT Delhi and Odisha in 2025 via MoUs, completing near-pan-India coverage [1].
• Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (launched 29 Oct 2024) operationalised in 2025; ~94.2 lakh seniors enrolled [1].

3. Background & Evolution

• Ayushman Bharat announced in Union Budget 2018; two original pillars (HWCs + PM-JAY) launched 23 Sep 2018 at Ranchi [1].
• Health & Wellness Centres renamed "Ayushman Arogya Mandir" (AAM) in 2023; target 1,50,000 centres by upgrading SHCs/PHCs [1].
• PM-ABHIM launched 2021 (₹64,180 cr outlay) to plug COVID-exposed infra gaps [2].
• U-WIN (digital UIP) launched Oct 2024, modelled on Co-WIN [2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; PM-JAY executed by National Health Authority (NHA) [1].
• PM-JAY cover: ₹5 lakh/family/year for secondary & tertiary hospitalisation [1].
• Ayushman Cards created: ~42.48 crore (as of 01 Dec 2025) [1].
• Families covered: 12 crore (base) + ~4.5 cr additional under Vay Vandana [1].
• Hospital admissions authorised: 10.98 crore worth ₹1.60 lakh crore [1].
• Empanelled hospitals: 32,574 (incl. 15,532 private) [1].
• Vay Vandana: universal cover for all citizens 70 years+, irrespective of income; ~6 cr individuals targeted [1].
• 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 [2].
• Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJP): 14,320 (as of 30 Nov 2024); 64.55 cr Suvidha sanitary pads sold [2].
• UPHC quality certification: 869 National + 317 State level (as on 31 Oct 2025) [2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic / Fiscal

• ₹1.60 lakh cr in hospitalisation cost authorised under PM-JAY reduces catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditure [1].
• Jan Aushadhi reduces drug prices ~50-80% vs branded equivalents [2].

Social / Equity

• Vay Vandana is means-test-free — first universal elderly health insurance in India [1].
• AAMs decentralise CPHC (RCH + NCDs incl. oral/breast/cervix cancer screening) [1].

Administrative / Federal

• Insurance is opt-in for states (West Bengal still outside); 2025 onboarding of Delhi & Odisha narrows the gap [1].
• PM-ABHIM funds flow as Centrally Sponsored Scheme with state co-financing [2].

Scientific / Technological

• Ayushman App offers face-auth, IRIS, fingerprint, OTP authentication [1].
• U-WIN digitises immunisation from birth to age 17; eSanjeevani integrated with ABDM for telemedicine [2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 29 Oct 2024: PM launched Ayushman Vay Vandana Card [1].
• Oct 2024: U-WIN portal launched nationally [2].
• 2025: PM-JAY rollout MoUs with Delhi and Odisha [1].
• As of 01 Dec 2025: 42.48 cr Ayushman Cards; 94.19 lakh Vay Vandana enrolments [1].
• 31 Oct 2025: 869 UPHCs nationally quality-certified under PM-ABHIM [2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• AB-HWCs were renamed Ayushman Arogya Mandir [1].
• PM-JAY benefit cap: ₹5 lakh per family per year [1].
• Vay Vandana eligibility age: 70 years and above [1].
• NHA (not NHM) administers PM-JAY [1].
• PM-ABHIM administrative approval to date: ₹32,928.82 crore [2].
• Jan Aushadhi Kendras count: 14,320 (Nov 2024) [2].
• U-WIN launched October 2024; covers birth to 17 years [2].
• AAMs screen for 3 common cancers: oral, breast, cervix [1].
• Empanelled hospitals under PM-JAY: 32,574 (Dec 2025) [1].
• States added to PM-JAY in 2025: Delhi & Odisha [1].
• Ayushman App supports face-auth, OTP, IRIS, fingerprint [1].
• PM-JAY launched on 23 September 2018 at Ranchi [1].

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 [1].
• PM-JAY is administered by NHA, not directly by MoHFW or NHM [1].
• Vay Vandana cover is universal at age 70+, NOT income-tested — common trap [1].
• PM-ABHIM ≠ PM-JAY — ABHIM is infrastructure (Centrally Sponsored), JAY is insurance [2].
• U-WIN covers up to 17 years, not just under-5 [2].