Bihar State Madarsa Strengthening Scheme 2026
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is a major health insurance scheme in India designed to support low-income families in Read More... both rural and urban areas by providing access to affordable healthcare services. It's the world's largest health assurance program, aiming to give each family an annual health cover of ₹5,00,000. Read less
Details
In India, accessing quality healthcare can be a challenge, especially for families with limited financial resources. Recognizing this, the government introduced the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This ambitious scheme focuses on providing essential healthcare support to those who need it most.
What Is Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)?
AB PM-JAY is essentially a health insurance scheme that aims to offer significant financial protection to poor and vulnerable families for hospitalisation expenses. Launched on September 23, 2018, it's a part of a larger initiative called Ayushman Bharat, which looks at healthcare in a more comprehensive way – from prevention and wellness to treatment. The scheme provides cashless coverage for secondary and tertiary healthcare services, meaning beneficiaries don't have to pay out-of-pocket for covered treatments.
Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?
The scheme specifically targets families identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) based on certain deprivation and occupational criteria. This includes poor and vulnerable families in both rural and urban parts of India. The goal is to ensure that financial hardship doesn't prevent anyone from receiving necessary medical treatment.
Why This Scheme Is Important
AB PM-JAY addresses a critical need for accessible and affordable healthcare in India. By offering a substantial annual health cover of ₹5,00,000 per family, it significantly reduces the financial burden of medical emergencies. It promotes a 'continuum of care' approach, integrating primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare, and aims to improve the overall health and well-being of the Indian population, especially the less privileged.
Objective
Benefits
Under this scheme, basic facilities and infrastructure will be provided to madrasas recognized by the Bihar State Madarsa Board and other government madarsas to enhance educational quality. The support includes:
- Construction of buildings, office rooms, multipurpose halls, hostels, and vocational training halls.
- Establishment of computer and science labs, additional classrooms, and libraries.
- Provision of essential amenities such as kitchens, mess halls, and toilets.
- Renovation of existing structures and installation of borewells, pumps, and tanks for clean drinking water.
- Upgrades to electricity systems and installation of solar power plants etc.
Sources and references
Who Can Apply for AB PM-JAY?
Eligibility for AB PM-JAY is primarily based on your family's socio-economic status, determined through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 database. Families are categorized based on deprivation and occupational criteria.
For Rural Areas:
Families are eligible if they fall under at least one of the following criteria, or are automatically included:
- Families living in a house with only one room, with kucha (mud/thatched) walls and roof.
- Households with no adult member between the ages of 16 to 59.
- Families with no adult male member between the ages of 16 to 59.
- Households that have at least one disabled member but no able-bodied adult member.
- Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) households.
- Households that are landless and earn most of their income from manual labour.
Automatically Included Rural Beneficiaries:
- Families without any shelter.
- Those who are destitute or living on alms.
- Families who are manual scavengers.
- Primitive tribal groups.
- Legally released bonded labour.
For Urban Areas:
Eligibility for urban beneficiaries is based on their occupation. The scheme covers families belonging to any of the following 11 occupational categories:
- Ragpicker
- Beggar
- Domestic worker
- Street vendor, Cobbler, Hawker, or other street service providers
- Construction worker, Plumber, Mason, Labourer, Painter, Welder, Security guard, Coolie, or other head-load workers
- Sweeper, Sanitation worker, or Mali (Gardener)
- Home-based worker, Artisan, Handicrafts worker, or Tailor
- Transport worker, Driver, Conductor, Helper to drivers/conductors, Cart puller, or Rickshaw puller
- Shop worker, Assistant, Peon in a small establishment, Helper, Delivery assistant, or Attendant/Waiter
- Electrician, Mechanic, Assembler, or Repair worker
- Washer-man or Chowkidar (Watchman)
How to Avail Benefits
AB PM-JAY is an entitlement-based scheme, meaning there's no formal application or enrollment process for eligible families. Your eligibility is determined based on the SECC 2011 database and specific government criteria.
If your family is identified as eligible:
- Check Your Eligibility: You can check if your family is eligible by visiting the official AB PM-JAY website or by contacting the helpline.
- Identification: When you need to avail medical services, visit a public hospital or a private hospital empaneled under PM-JAY.
- Verification: At the hospital, an 'Ayushman Mitra' (Scheme Facilitator) will help you with verification using your PM-JAY family ID or by cross-referencing your details with the database.
- Avail Treatment: Once verified, you can receive cashless treatment for the covered medical procedures. An e-card may be issued to you at the time of admission.
Official Website: For more information and to check your eligibility, you can visit the official National Health Authority website.
Helpline Number: You can also call the toll-free helpline at 14555 for assistance.
Documents Needed for Verification
While there's no application process, you'll need specific documents when you visit a hospital to avail treatment under AB PM-JAY for verification purposes. It's advisable to carry these documents with you:
- Proof of Identity: Aadhaar Card or PAN Card is generally required.
- Proof of Address: Any document confirming your current address.
- Contact Details: Your mobile number and email address.
- Caste Certificate: If your eligibility is based on SC/ST status.
- Income Certificate: If required to confirm your income level.
- Family Structure Proof: Documents that confirm your family's current status (e.g., joint or nuclear family).
Note: While an Aadhaar Card is highly recommended, it is not strictly mandatory to avail services under this scheme.
FAQ’s
Can I get treatment under PM-JAY even if I have a pre-existing illness?
Absolutely! The scheme covers all pre-existing illnesses and medical conditions right from the first day. You don't have to worry about waiting periods for conditions you already have.
How do I know if my family is eligible for the scheme?
Your family's eligibility is determined based on the SECC 2011 database, using specific deprivation and occupational criteria for rural and urban areas. You can check your eligibility status on the official AB PM-JAY website or by calling the helpline number 14555.
Is there a special card or enrollment process I need to follow?
No, there's no separate enrollment process or card required to join. If your family is identified as eligible based on the government's criteria, you are automatically entitled to the benefits. A PM-JAY family identification number will be assigned, and an e-card can be provided during hospitalisation.
What does 'cashless treatment' mean under this scheme?
Cashless treatment means you won't have to pay any money out-of-pocket for the medical treatments and procedures covered by the scheme. The payment will be made directly by the government to the empaneled hospital.
Can my newborn baby also get covered under this scheme?
Yes, newborn babies are covered and can receive treatment under the scheme. You can also add them to your beneficiary family by providing the necessary documentation.
Are there any charges for availing services under PM-JAY?
No, all eligible beneficiaries can avail the covered secondary and tertiary healthcare services for free at public and empaneled private hospitals. The entire process is designed to be cashless and paperless for you.
Where can I get treatment if I'm covered under PM-JAY?
You can get treatment at any public hospital or any private hospital that is empaneled with the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme. The list of these hospitals is available on the official website and can also be inquired about via the helpline.
What happens if my name is not on the SECC list but I believe I am eligible?
Currently, new families cannot be added to the scheme if they are not on the SECC list. However, for families already on the list, additional family members can be added. It is best to check the latest guidelines on the official website or contact the helpline.
Who is an 'Ayushman Mitra' and what do they do?
An Ayushman Mitra is a trained frontline health worker available at the hospital. They act as a point of contact for beneficiaries, helping with patient identification, verifying eligibility, and assisting with the paperwork for treatment and claims. They are there to support you throughout your hospital visit.
What is the time frame for claim submission after a patient is discharged?
The hospital (Empanelled Health Care Provider - EHCP) is required to submit the claim documents, including the discharge summary and other necessary clinical reports, within 24 hours of the patient's discharge. The approval process from submission to final payment involves several stages within stipulated timelines.
Are old RSBY cardholders included in PM-JAY?
Yes, any family that held an active Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) card as of February 28, 2018, is covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
What are the services covered under PM-JAY?
The scheme covers a wide range of medical services, including hospitalisation expenses, daycare surgeries, post-hospitalisation follow-up care, and pre- and post-hospitalisation benefits. It also covers services for newborn children. A comprehensive list of the 1,929 covered procedures is available on the official website.
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