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The Government of India has taken significant steps to enhance the public healthcare system, ensuring accessible, equitable, and affordable health services for all citizens. These efforts encompass infrastructure development, expanded health coverage, digital innovation, and medical education expansion.
Under the National Health Mission (NHM), the government aims for universal access to quality healthcare through its rural and urban sub-missions. As of June 30, 2025, 1,77,906 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) have been operationalized by upgrading Sub-Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to provide free, comprehensive primary healthcare services across 12 service packages nationwide, offering preventive, promotive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative care close to communities.
The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), with an outlay of ₹64,180 crore for 2021–2026, is focused on boosting health infrastructure and pandemic preparedness. It supports constructing and strengthening over 10,600 building-less AAMs, urban AAMs, block public health units, integrated public health labs, and critical care blocks across the country.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) provides ₹5 lakh annual health coverage to 12 crore vulnerable families. Since October 2024, the scheme extends benefits to 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 and above through the Vay Vandana Card, regardless of socio-economic status, greatly expanding support for the elderly.
To leverage digital technology, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), launched in 2021, is building a unified online health infrastructure. It creates electronic health records for citizens, facilitating seamless healthcare across all levels and enhancing care continuity.
Addressing regional healthcare disparities, the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) has approved setting up 22 new AIIMS and upgrading 75 government medical colleges, enhancing tertiary care and medical education quality nationwide.
Significant growth in medical education institutions and capacity has been recorded, with medical colleges increasing from 387 to 780, undergraduate (UG) seats from 51,348 to 1,15,900, and postgraduate (PG) seats from 31,185 to 74,306 since 2014.
These comprehensive initiatives demonstrate the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s public healthcare system, improving health outcomes and accessibility for all citizens.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information released by the Press Information Bureau, Government of India, as of August 8, 2025. The data is subject to change as new developments occur.
