Ayushman Bharat: India’s Leap Towards Universal Health Coverage or Just a Political Slogan?

When the Government of India initiated Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) in 2018, it was praised as the world’s exceptional government-funded healthcare programme, encouraging free health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family for nearly 50 crore Indians. On documents, it was nothing short of revolutionary. But the large question remains – is Ayushman Bharat really India’s leap towards universal health coverage, or just a political tagline?

The Promise
Ayushman Bharat was planned to safeguard the poorest and most endangered families from the squeezing burden of hospital bills. With its larger coverage, the scheme directed to lower catastrophic health expenditure and bring equity to India’s deeply unlike healthcare system. For millions who evaded hospitals due to cost, it was a glimmer of hope.

The Progress
Since its initiation, crores of people have assisted treatment under the programme, many for life-sustaining procedures such as heart surgeries and cancer care. The program has widened healthcare access, particularly in states that embraced it cautiously. It has also energized the case for public-private cooperation, bringing private hospitals into the of mass healthcare delivery.

The Problems
Yet, the cracks are hard to ignore:

Limited Awareness – Many eligible families don’t even know they are covered.
Urban Bias – Most empanelled hospitals are in cities, leaving rural patients behind.
Fraud & Overbilling – Cases of misuse, fake patients, and unnecessary procedures have surfaced.

Weak Public Hospitals – Without parallel investment in infrastructure, government hospitals remain underfunded and overcrowded.

Partial Coverage – Outpatient care, medicines, and diagnostics — the bulk of India’s healthcare costs — are not covered.


The Politics
For criticizers, Ayushman Bharat is also a political weapon, a programme that wins headings and votes but fights in execution. For proponents, it is a historic step towards universal health coverage, something India has long required but never challenged to implement at this scale. The truth may lie somewhere in between — it is both a policy advancement and a work in progress.

The Way Forward
If Ayushman Bharat is to really modify India’s healthcare, three things are required:
✅ Greater awareness and incorporation of rural beneficiaries.
✅ Parallel expenditure in public health infrastructure and workforce.
✅ Powerful monitoring to prevent mis usage and ensure quality over quantity in healthcare delivery.

Conclusion
Ayushman Bharat is more than a title — but it is not yet the leap India needs. It is a flyover between what is promised and what is possible. The scheme has unlocked a door; whether India walks via it to achieve true universal healthcare relies on political will, systemic reforms, and sustained expenditure in people’s health.