By- Anurag Tiwari
Good news for the people of Delhi! The much-awaited Ayushman Bharat Yojana is officially being implemented in the national capital starting today, Saturday. A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Delhi Government and the Central Government will be signed to roll out this landmark health insurance scheme.
Ayushman Bharat Scheme Launches Today, Priority for AAY Ration Card Holders
In the first phase, the government plans to issue Ayushman Bharat Health Cards to 1 lakh residents of Delhi. After this, the scheme will rapidly expand to include all eligible beneficiaries across the city.
What Is the Ayushman Bharat Scheme?
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is a government health insurance scheme aimed at providing free medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh per family per year in Delhi. This includes Rs. 5 lakh from the central scheme and an additional Rs. 5 lakh added by the Delhi Government, making the coverage amount double than what is offered in most other states.
Who Will Get the Ayushman Cards First?
The scheme is primarily targeted at economically weaker sections. As per the government plan, AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) ration card holders will be the first beneficiaries. These are the poorest of the poor families. After that, people holding BPL (Below Poverty Line) ration cards will be included.
Initially, around 1 lakh AAY cardholders in Delhi are expected to receive their Ayushman Bharat cards.
Budget Allocation for Delhi’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana
To ensure smooth implementation, the Delhi Government has allocated Rs 2,144 crore for the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. While most states provide Rs.5 lakh medical cover, Delhi residents will benefit from Rs. 10 lakh health insurance, with Rs. 7 lakh of that amount funded directly by the Delhi Government.
Types of Ration Cards in Delhi
Currently, Delhi issues two major types of ration cards:
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Priority Ration Card (PR or BPL Card): For families living below the poverty line.
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Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Card: For the poorest families, who receive 35 kg of ration per month, including:
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25 kg wheat at Rs. 2/kg
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10 kg rice at Rs. 3/kg
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6 kg sugar at Rs. 13.50/kg
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How Many AAY Cardholders Are There in Delhi?
Delhi has a total of 72.77 lakh approved ration cards. Of these, 1,56,800 cards fall under the AAY category, according to central government data. However, as of January 2025, only 66,532 AAY cards were actively recorded in Delhi, as reported by the Times of India.
The target is to generate at least 1 lakh Ayushman Bharat health cards by April 10, 2025, starting with the AAY cardholders. As the rollout progresses, the scheme will gradually include more families, especially those who are underprivileged and dependent on government aid for healthcare.
1. What is the Ayushman Bharat Scheme?
Ayushman Bharat, also known as PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana), is a government health insurance scheme that offers free medical coverage to economically weaker sections of society. In Delhi, it provides up to Rs.10 lakh per family annually for treatment.
2. When is the Ayushman Bharat scheme being launched in Delhi?
The scheme is officially being launched in Delhi from Saturday, April 6, 2025, with an MoU signed between the Delhi Government and the Central Government.
3. Who will be the first to receive Ayushman Bharat cards in Delhi?
In the first phase, AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) ration card holders will be prioritized. They represent the poorest of the poor category.
4. How many Ayushman Bharat cards will be issued in the first phase?
The Delhi Government aims to issue 1 lakh Ayushman Bharat cards by April 10, 2025 in the initial rollout.
5. What medical coverage will Delhi residents get under this scheme?
Delhi residents will receive Rs. 10 lakh medical coverage per family annually — ₹5 lakh from the central scheme and an additional Rs. 5 lakh from the Delhi Government.
6. What types of ration cards are eligible for the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi?
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AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) Cards
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BPL (Below Poverty Line) or Priority Ration Cards
These groups will be prioritized based on income and economic status.
7. How much budget has been allocated for the scheme in Delhi?
The Delhi Government has allocated Rs. 2,144 crore for implementing the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in the state.
8. How many AAY ration cardholders are there in Delhi?
As of government records, there are 1,56,800 approved AAY ration cards in Delhi, although only 66,532 were active as of January 2025.
9. How can eligible Delhi residents apply for the Ayushman card?
Eligible residents can apply through government health camps, nearby hospitals, Common Service Centres (CSCs), or online portals once the registration window is open.
10. Can middle-income or upper-income families benefit from Ayushman Bharat in Delhi?
No, the scheme is designed specifically for economically weaker sections, primarily those with AAY or BPL cards.
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