PIB Analysis · Daily Current Affairs
Contents
08 June 2026 · Legacy IAS Academy
Contents
01
Ease of Doing Business: Strengthening India's Business Framework
GS Paper 3
GS Paper 2
02
India's Health Transformation: Towards Universal Health Coverage
GS Paper 2
GS Paper 1
Article 01 of 02
Article 01
Ease of Doing Business: Strengthening India's Business Framework
Syllabus Relevance: GS Paper 3 — Indian Economy, Growth & Development, Government Policies & Interventions; GS Paper 2 — Governance, Transparency, E-Governance Initiatives.
GS 3 — Economy & Governance
GS 2 — Governance & E-Gov
Transforming India's Business Environment
- India has undertaken sustained reforms over the past years to improve its business regulatory environment — shifting from a compliance-heavy system to a facilitation-driven ecosystem.
- Reforms have aimed at enhancing speed, transparency, and trust-based governance, resulting in growing investor confidence and improved Ease of Doing Business (EoDB).
- World Bank Doing Business Report 2020: India's rank improved from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2019 — an advancement of 79 positions in five years.
- IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025: India improved from 43 (2021) to 41 (2025), reflecting stronger business environment, improved governance and better digital and regulatory reforms.
- World Bank GovTech Maturity Index: India placed in Group A in 2020, 2022 and 2025 — representing countries with advanced and innovative practices across Core Government Systems, Public Service Delivery, Digital Citizen Engagement, and GovTech Enablers.
- UN E-Government Survey: India secured overall high score; achieved very high score in the Online Services Index and high scores in Telecommunication Infrastructure and Human Capital indices.
Advancing Business Entry Reforms
- Over the last 12 years, the Government introduced major reforms to simplify business entry and formalisation, reducing procedural barriers and enabling faster, technology-driven, paperless systems.
- Startup India (launched January 2016): Aims to support entrepreneurs and build a robust startup ecosystem. In 2016, only 502 startups were recognised creating 308 direct jobs. By March 2026, over 2.23 lakh startups recognised, generating 23.3 lakh direct jobs. ~48% of these startups have at least one woman director or partner.
- SPICe+ Form (2020): Integrated web form offering 11 services from 3 Central Government ministries/departments and services from 3 State Governments and NCT of Delhi. Consolidated 10 essential procedures including Incorporation, DIN Allotment, PAN, TAN, ESIC, EPFO, Profession Tax Registration, Bank Account Opening, GSTIN, and Shops & Establishment registration.
- MCA21 Version 3 (launched FY 2021-22): AI-driven initiative integrating e-Scrutiny, e-adjudication, e-consultation, Compliance Management System and MCA Lab. From 2021–2025, approximately 3.84 crore filings made; 3.33 crore approved through Straight Through Process.
- Udyam Registration Portal (July 2020): Free, paperless, self-declaration-based system for MSMEs. Registrations grew from 10.02 thousand (October 2020) to over 858 thousand (5 June 2026). Integrated with CBDT and GSTN databases for documentation-free registration.
Simplifying Property Registration
- DILRMP (Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme, 2016): Modernises land records management; shifted land administration from "in-line" to "online".
- Cadastral maps digitised for 97.37% of the country. Citizens in 19 states can download digitally signed, legally valid land records from home; banks in 406 districts can verify mortgages online.
- NAKSHA (National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations): Aerial flying accomplished in 116 urban local bodies (87% of targets) covering ~5,915 sq. km (December 2025).
- ULPIN (Unique Land Parcel Identification Number): 14-digit alphanumeric code — the "Aadhaar for Land". Assigned to over 36 crore land parcels across 29 States and UTs (November 2025). Eliminates duplicity and prevents benami transactions.
- NGDRS (National Generic Document Registration System — One Nation, One Registration): Streamlines property transactions; implemented in 17 States/UTs. 88.6% of Sub-Registrar Offices integrated with revenue offices, enabling automatic mutation after registration.
Streamlining Permit Procedures
- Labour Codes (November 2025): The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSH), 2020 replaced 13 Central Labour laws with a single comprehensive legislation. Introduced electronic single registration, single return, single all-India licences valid for five years, and deemed approvals.
- 1 registration replaced 6 separate registrations. Uniform threshold of 10 employees for electronic registration. Factory licence threshold increased from 10 to 20 (with power) and 20 to 40 (without power). Construction/expansion of factory — 30-day timeline with deemed permission.
- Inspector-cum-Facilitators replaced traditional inspectors; randomised web-based inspection system reduces "inspector raj".
- Consent to Operate (CTO) Amendment: CTO, once granted, remains valid until cancelled — removes repeated renewals. States may prescribe one-time CTO fee for 5 to 25 years. Micro and Small Enterprises in notified industrial estates: Consent to Establish deemed granted upon self-certified application.
- Pollution-based industry categorisation (Red/Orange/Green) with inspections every 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years respectively. Processing time for Red Category industries reduced from 120 to 90 days.
- NSWS (National Single Window System): Single window digital platform; integrates approvals across 32 Central Departments and 34 State Governments. Provides access to over 686 central and 7,498 state approvals. Since 2021, granted over 8,29,750 approvals (20 November 2025).
- PARIVESH 2.0 (launched August 2018): Streamlines Environment, Forest, Wildlife, and Coastal Regulation Zone clearances. Average time for environmental clearance reduced to 64 days in 2025-26, against stipulated timeline of 105 days.
Deepening Market Connectivity
- India ranked 38th in the World Bank Logistics Performance Index 2023, improving from 54th in 2014.
- GeM (Government e-Marketplace, 2016): Cumulative GMV of ₹18.4 lakh crore, including ₹5 lakh crore in FY 2025-26. 68% of total orders executed by MSEs (47.1% of GMV). 2.04 lakh+ women-led MSEs registered, servicing 42 lakh+ orders worth ₹79,231 crore (December 2025). Over 35,705 start-ups facilitated. Available in 12 official languages.
- ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce, April 2022): Sellers and service providers spread across 616+ cities with 7.64 lakh+ sellers. Democratises digital commerce by fostering open protocols.
- PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (October 2021): Integrates 58 Central Ministries and all States/UTs on a unified digital platform with 3,199 data layers. Unified Geospatial Interface provides 230 curated datasets. As of February 2026, Network Planning Group evaluated 352 projects worth ₹16.10 lakh crore; 201 sanctioned, 167 under implementation.
- National Logistics Portal (Marine, 2023): Single-window platform for exporters, importers, and maritime logistics service providers. Mobile application garnered 21,000+ users across diverse geographic regions (March 2023–August 2024).
- LDB 2.0 (Logistics Data Bank): Real-time multimodal cargo tracking across road, rail, and sea. In 2025-26, tracked 100% of EXIM containers; handled ~95 million export-import containers.
Facilitating Easier Credit Access
- CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro & Small Enterprises): ₹9.34 lakh crore cumulative guarantees; 1.15 crore cumulative guarantees approved (31 March 2025).
- ECLGS (Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme): Over ₹3.68 lakh crore sanctioned; ₹2.43 lakh crore for MSMEs.
- PMMY (Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, 2015): Collateral-free loans up to ₹20 lakh. As on 27 March 2026: loans worth ₹40.07 lakh crore disbursed; over 57 crore accounts since inception. 12 crore+ accounts belong to new entrepreneurs.
- CAM (Credit Assessment Model, 2025): Leverages digital footprints for automated MSME loan appraisal. Over 3.96 lakh MSME loan applications amounting to ₹52,300+ crore sanctioned (1 April–21 December 2025).
- TReDS (Trade Receivables Discounting System): Electronic platform for financing/discounting trade receivables of MSMEs. Union Budget 2026-27 proposed mandating TReDS for Central PSE transaction settlements; introduced credit guarantee mechanism for invoice discounting; linking with GeM for quicker financing.
Improving Ease of Tax Compliance
- GST (introduced 2017): Replaced fragmented indirect tax regime (excise duty, service tax, VAT, CST, etc.). GST reforms (September 2025) simplified to a two-rate structure. Registered taxpayers increased from ~60 lakh in 2017 to over 1.64 crore in April 2026. GSTN platform handled processing of over ₹107.64 lakh crore payments (as of April 2026).
- Faceless Assessment (E-Assessment Scheme, 2019): Eliminated physical interface between taxpayer and tax officers; curbs undesirable practices in tax administration.
- New Income Tax e-Filing Portal (June 2021): Single dashboard; immediate ITR processing for quicker refunds; pre-filled data; multiple digital payment options including UPI, net banking, credit cards, RTGS/NEFT.
- E-Way Bill: Number of E-Way Bills generated increased from 15.74 crore (July 2018–March 2019) to 188.27 crore (FY 2025-26). Replaced multiple state-level permits; facilitated removal of static border check posts.
Enhancing Cross-Border Trade Efficiency
- Districts as Export Hubs (DEH): SEPCs set up across all 36 States/UTs. Draft District Export Action Plans prepared for 590 districts; 249 formally notified.
- Export Promotion Mission (EPM, November 2025): Flagship initiative with two sub-schemes: Niryat Protsahan (financial enablers) and Niryat Disha (non-financial, market-access enablers).
- ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway): Bills of Entry filings increased from ~4 lakh (April 2019) to 5.89 lakh (March 2026).
- eCoO 2.0 (Enhanced Certificate of Origin System): Aadhaar-based e-signing; multi-user access; processed over 7,000 eCoOs daily; connects 125 issuing agencies (January 2025).
- Trade Connect e-Platform: Over 20 lakh registered users; more than 35 lakh certificates of origin issued (5 June 2026). Connects global buyers with Indian exporters via Indian missions abroad.
- Union Budget 2026-27 measures: Customs Integrated System (CIS); exemption from MAT for non-residents; extended duty deferral period.
Expanding Digital Public Infrastructure
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface, 2016): Connects 713 banks; used by ~540.27 million individuals and 100 million merchants. Annual transactions grew from 2 crore (FY 2016-17) to 24,162 crore (FY 2025-26) — a ~12,000-fold surge. Transaction value rose from ₹0.07 lakh crore to ~₹314 lakh crore — a 4,000-fold increase. IMF acknowledged UPI as world's largest real-time payment system by transaction volume.
- cKYC (Central KYC Registry): Centralised repository enabling uniform KYC norms and inter-usability across financial sectors; simplifies customer onboarding.
- EntityLocker (January 2025): Digital locker for entities; secure cloud-based platform for storing, sharing, and verifying digital documents. Entities onboarded grew from 38 thousand (February 2025) to over 40 thousand (December 2025).
Building a Trust-Based Governance Framework
- Jan Vishwas Act, 2023: Decriminalised 183 provisions across 42 Acts.
- Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 (effective 7 April 2026): Decriminalisation of 717 provisions; amendment of 784 provisions of 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries; rationalises more than 1,000 offences.
- Decriminalisation of Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Air Act 1981, Indian Forest Act 1927, and criminal provisions of Water Act 1974.
- Task Force on Compliance Reduction and Deregulation (January 2025): Identified five priority sectors — land use, construction, labour, utilities, permissions. Three rounds of visits across States/UTs since March 2025.
- As part of Reducing Compliance Burden: more than 47,000 compliances reduced — 16,108 simplified, 22,287 digitised, 4,458 decriminalised, 4,270 removed (November 2025).
- RBI consolidated over 9,000 circulars and guidelines into 238 function-specific Master Directions; 9,446 circulars being repealed, consolidated, or deemed obsolete.
- BRAP (Business Reforms Action Plan, since 2015): 7 editions completed; 8th edition formally rolled out November 2025. Covers access to information, single window, environmental registration, electricity, land, construction permit, inspection reform, labour regulation, tax filing, commercial dispute resolution, and more.
- D-BRAP (District Business Reform Action Plan): Deepens reforms at grassroots; implemented across District Collectorates, Development Authorities, and Urban Local Bodies.
Resolving Insolvency Concerns
- Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016: Consolidated existing laws into a unified insolvency resolution framework; introduced creditor-driven, time-bound mechanism for resolving financial distress.
- IBC Amendment Act, 2026: Clearer definitions; prescribed 14-day timeline for adjudicating authorities to accept/reject applications; restricted withdrawal of cases after a specified stage; strengthened creditor participation and improved access to information.
Key Statistics at a Glance
2.23 lakh+Startups recognised (March 2026)
₹18.4L CrGeM cumulative GMV
24,162 CrUPI transactions FY 2025-26
₹314L CrUPI transaction value FY 2025-26
47,000+Compliances reduced
8,29,750+Approvals granted via NSWS (Nov 2025)
Mains Practice Question
"India's Ease of Doing Business reforms have evolved from mere rank-chasing to structural transformation of the regulatory ecosystem." Critically analyse this statement with reference to initiatives undertaken across the business lifecycle.
GS Paper 3 · Indian Economy · 15 Marks
Prelims Practice MCQ
With reference to the SPICe+ Form, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It offers 11 services from 3 Central Government ministries and departments.
2. It includes allotment of GSTIN as one of its integrated services.
3. It was introduced in 2016 as part of the Startup India initiative.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only.
Statement 1 is correct — SPICe+ offers 11 services from 3 Central Government ministries/departments. Statement 2 is correct — GSTIN allotment is one of the 10 consolidated procedures. Statement 3 is incorrect — SPICe+ was introduced in 2020 (not 2016). It replaced the earlier SPICe form and was a separate initiative from Startup India (which was launched in January 2016).
Statement 1 is correct — SPICe+ offers 11 services from 3 Central Government ministries/departments. Statement 2 is correct — GSTIN allotment is one of the 10 consolidated procedures. Statement 3 is incorrect — SPICe+ was introduced in 2020 (not 2016). It replaced the earlier SPICe form and was a separate initiative from Startup India (which was launched in January 2016).
Article 02 of 02
Article 02
India's Health Transformation: Towards Universal Health Coverage
Syllabus Relevance: GS Paper 2 — Health, Government Schemes and Policies, Social Sector Issues; GS Paper 1 — Social Issues, Population and associated issues.
GS 2 — Health & Social Sector
GS 1 — Social Issues
Overview: Towards Universal Health Coverage
- India has massively transformed its public health infrastructure over the past 12 years — now more accessible, affordable, and quality-driven.
- NSO 2025 Survey (1.39 lakh+ households): More Indians than ever seeking medical care; outpatient care at government facilities incurring zero cost; about half of hospitalised patients paying below ₹1,100; poorest households benefitting from low/no out-of-pocket costs.
- Key drivers: increased government spending, systematic healthcare upgrades, National Health Mission, digital health infrastructure, AI integrations, and doubled capacity to train doctors and nurses.
- At the centre: Ayushman Bharat — the world's most ambitious universal health coverage programme, launched in 2018.
Ayushman Bharat — Four Pillars
- Pillar 1: AB-PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana, 2018) — World's largest publicly funded health assurance scheme. Provides free public health insurance up to ₹5 lakh per family per year to ~12 crore socio-economically deprived families (~40% of population). Covers consultations, hospitalisations, and specialised treatment including cancer and heart diseases.
- Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana (October 2024): Extended coverage to all senior citizens above 70 years. 1.20 crore senior citizens enrolled; availed 13.84 lakh+ treatments worth ₹3,000 crore (June 5, 2026).
- Key figures: 44.14 crore Ayushman Cards created; 12.03 crore hospitalisations covered; treatment worth ₹1,80,435 crore provided; 36,218 hospitals empanelled (19,659 public + 16,559 private). ~40,000 claims processed daily across 1,900+ treatment packages.
- Ayushman App available on Android and iOS in 19 regional languages — allows beneficiaries to verify eligibility, download e-cards, monitor wallet balances, locate hospitals, and raise grievances.
Pillar 2: Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) — Primary Care
- AAMs provide comprehensive primary healthcare — preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care. Each AAM offers 12 free services including NCD screening, oral, eye, ENT care, mental health support, teleconsultations, emergency care, and free essential medicines/diagnostics.
- Cumulative footfall of over 540 crore.
- 1.86+ lakh AAMs now functional: 1.34 lakh Sub Health Centres, 24,483 Primary Health Centres, 5,474 Urban Primary Health Centres, 12,259 AYUSH centres, 9,758 Urban Health and Wellness Centres (June 5, 2026).
- AAMs also serve as centres for community health outreach by Community Health Workers and ASHAs.
Pillar 3: PM-ABHIM — Pandemic Preparedness
- Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), launched 25 October 2021. Total financial outlay: ₹64,180 crore (FY 2021-22 to 2025-26).
- Supporting 23,224 rural health and wellness centres (10 high-focus states); establishing 13,736 urban health and wellness centres; 3,389 block public health units (11 high-focus states); 744 integrated public health labs in all districts; 631 critical care hospital blocks in districts with population above 5 lakh.
- Pandemic defence: bio-security preparedness, outbreak response at 50 entry points, Critical Care Blocks with 150 beds across 12 central institutions.
Pillar 4: ABDM — Digital Health Ecosystem
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM, September 2021): Comprehensive citizen-centric digital infrastructure. Core: ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) — unique 14-digit health identity number linking complete health records with consent-based access across ABDM network.
- ABHA App: QR-based appointment registration; helps verify patient data.
- 20.49 crore registrations on the app; 27,328 facilities across 36 States/UTs connected (March 31, 2026).
National Health Mission — Maternal and Child Healthcare
- PMSMA (Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, 2016): Over 7.47 crore pregnant women examined; 22,349 facilities nationwide (June 5, 2026).
- Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Encourages institutional deliveries among BPL, SC, and ST women.
- JSSK (Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram): Free delivery, drugs, diagnostics, diet, and transport at public facilities; extended in 2014 to all antenatal/post-natal complications.
- Other schemes: Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan, Midwifery Initiative (trains Nurse Practitioner Midwives), Stillbirth Surveillance and Response (target: <10 stillbirths per 1,000 births by 2030), Home Based Newborn Care, RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram).
- Nutrition/Adolescent schemes: Anaemia Mukt Bharat, WIFS (Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation), Mothers' Absolute Affection, Adolescent Friendly Health Centres, Menstrual Hygiene Scheme.
Immunisation — Mission Indradhanush & U-WIN
- Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP): Targets 2.67 crore newborns and 2.9 crore pregnant women annually; free vaccines against 12 diseases.
- Mission Indradhanush (2014): Catch-up programme for unvaccinated/partially vaccinated children. 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women vaccinated.
- 95%+ of children aged 12-23 months received vaccinations at public health facilities in 2023-24 (NHFS 2023-24). Zero-dose children: fell from 0.11% (2023) to 0.06% (2024).
- WHO certified elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in May 2015.
- U-WIN (Universal Immunisation Web-enabled Network, 2024): 11.87 crore children and 3.96 crore pregnant women registered (March 2026).
- Free HPV vaccine campaign (February 2026) for ~1.15 crore girls aged 14 years.
Eliminating Communicable Diseases
- Tuberculosis (NTEP): TB cases and fatalities declining faster than global rate. 3.78 lakh+ Nik-shay Mitras supporting 20 lakh+ patients; 45 lakh+ food baskets provided (December 2025).
- PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (September 2022): 20 crore+ individuals screened; 28 lakh+ patients diagnosed since December 7, 2024. 'Cough Against TB' AI tool detected additional 12-16% TB cases; 1.62 lakh+ screened (March 2023–November 2025).
- Malaria: National Framework for Malaria Elimination launched 2016; National Strategic Plan 2023-2027 with "test, treat, and track" approach. Significant decline in cases and deaths since 2017.
- HIV-AIDS: Mother-to-child transmission rate declined by ~74.5% between 2010 and 2024 (vs global ~56.5%).
- Kala-Azar: 633 endemic blocks in 54 districts achieving <1 case per 10,000 population.
- Japanese Encephalitis: Case Fatality Rate reduced from 17.6% (2014) to 7.1% (2024).
- Dengue: CFR reduced to 0.13% in 2024.
- Lymphatic Filariasis: 143 of 348 endemic districts (41%) stopped MDA and cleared TAS (up from 15% in 2014). MDA coverage improved from 75% (2014) to 85% (2025).
- Leprosy: Districts achieving elimination (<1/10,000) up from 542 (2014-15) to 638 (2024-25). New case detection rate: 9.73 per 100,000 (2014-15) to 7.0 per 100,000 (2024-25).
COVID-19 and Pandemic Response
- India began airport screenings before the first domestic case was reported; vaccine task force formed April 2020; among first globally to introduce Rapid Antigen Tests.
- National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (January 16, 2021): Over 220 crore doses (including two indigenous vaccines) administered free; certificates via COWIN digital platform.
- Infrastructure scaled during pandemic: Testing labs 14 → 3,400; ICU beds 2,168 → 1.45 lakh; Oxygen-supported beds 50,583 → 5.15 lakh; PPE kits: 0 → 5 lakh kits/day; 1,563+ PSA oxygen plants sanctioned; ~900 Oxygen Express trains transported 36,840+ tonnes of liquid medical oxygen.
- Vaccine Maitri: ~300 million doses supplied to nearly 100 countries; free vaccines to 48 countries.
Prevention and Treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
- NCDs (heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke) account for 60% of all deaths in India. NHM's NP-NCD programme strengthens infrastructure for early detection and treatment.
- Screenings at AAMs: 60 crore+ screenings for oral, breast, and cervical cancers. 35.3 crore screened for oral cancer (2.3 lakh detected; ~2 lakh in treatment); 16.5 crore+ for breast cancer; 8.73 crore for cervical cancer (1.1 lakh diagnosed; ~97,000 in treatment). 41.5 crore screened for hypertension (7.1 crore diagnosed; 5.7 crore notified). 41.3 crore screened for diabetes (4.7 crore found diabetic; 3.4 crore in treatment). (All figures since 2017.)
- Cancer Care: 19 State Cancer Institutes + 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centres established. Cancer treatment facilities approved in all 22 new AIIMS. 600+ cancer registry sites and 100+ stroke registry sites.
- PMNDP (Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, 2016): 31.74 lakh patients received dialysis; 4 crore+ haemodialysis sessions across 1,816 centres; estimated patient savings of ₹10,102.25 crore (June 5, 2026).
- MadhuNetrAI: Automated diabetic retinopathy screening in 38 facilities across 11 states; 14,000+ retinal images screened, 7,100 patients benefited (December 2025).
NCD Prevention — Lifestyle Initiatives
- Eat Right India (July 2018): 182 Clean Street Food Hubs certified; 546 Fruits and Vegetables Markets certified; 411 railway stations certified; 21,000+ kg used cooking oil collected in 2024-25 (as of June 5, 2026).
- Fit India Movement (2019): Fit India Sundays on Cycle campaign engaged over 30 lakh citizens across 2.8 lakh+ locations.
- Tobacco Control: 17.3% reduction in overall tobacco use over past decade. School-going children tobacco use: 14.6% (2009) → 8.5% (2019). National Tobacco QuitLine (1800-112-356) — 6.5 lakh+ people assisted (June 2016–April 2026); 34.5% callers quit. 2,000+ Tobacco Cessation Centres. Tobacco Free Youth Campaign (2023, 3rd edition): 3.09 lakh+ educational institutions and 39,000 villages achieved tobacco-free status; ₹2.1 crore+ in fines. India received Bloomberg Philanthropies Award 2025 for tobacco control.
Providing Affordable Medicines, Diagnostics & Emergency Transport
- PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (Jan Aushadhi Kendras): Generic medicines available at 50–80% cheaper than branded prices.
- AMRIT Pharmacies (2015): Discounts of 50–90% on life-saving medicines. 6.85 crore+ patients benefited; 255+ outlets; patients saved ~₹8,400 crore.
- Free Essential Diagnostics Initiative (2015): 9 tests at Sub-Centre level; 19 at PHCs; 39 at CHCs; 57 at District Hospital level. Covers Haematology, Serology, Biochemistry, Clinical Pathology, Microbiology, Radiology, and Cardiology.
- Emergency Transport (Dial 108 / Dial 102): Available across 35 States/UTs. 3,044 ALS ambulances, 15,283 BLS ambulances, 3,918 Patient Transport Vehicles, 19 boats, 81 bikes for hard-to-reach areas.
Reaching People: Digital & Last-Mile Health Services
- eSanjeevani (November 2019): National telemedicine platform. Over 47 crore calls recorded; 2.34 lakh+ healthcare providers onboarded. AI-powered CDSS introduced April 2023: 28.2 crore consultations benefited through November 2025.
- Tele-MANAS (October 2022): Mental health telemedicine. Available in 20 languages across all 36 States/UTs. Services include counselling, psychotherapy, psychiatric consultations, and referral/urgent care. Tele-MANAS mobile app launched October 2024 (accessible to visually impaired). 53 Tele-Manas Cells and 23 Mentoring Institutes connected.
- i-DRONE (ICMR, 2021): Drone delivery of medicines, vaccines, blood samples. 22,000 medicines delivered over 7,700 km; 65 healthcare centres used the service.
Medical Education, Workforce & AYUSH
- 157 new nursing colleges being established alongside new medical colleges — adding ~15,700 nursing graduates annually. B.Sc. Nursing seats up 53% to 1,27,290; M.Sc. Nursing seats up 39% to 14,986 (as of June 2025).
- Ministry of AYUSH (formed November 2014): 942 AYUSH institutions opened (as of 2025). AYUSH mainstreamed across 13,093 NHM co-located facilities (December 2025). AYUSH Visa introduced July 2023 for foreign nationals seeking treatment in India. AYUSH Grid will digitally connect all AYUSH hospitals and laboratories nationwide.
Key Statistics at a Glance
44.14 CrAyushman Cards created
1.86 lakh+AAMs functional
47 Cr+eSanjeevani calls recorded
220 Cr+COVID vaccine doses administered
60 Cr+NCD screenings at AAMs
₹64,180 CrPM-ABHIM total outlay
Mains Practice Question
"The Ayushman Bharat scheme represents a paradigm shift in India's approach to healthcare — from treatment-centric to prevention-centric and from urban-centric to universal." Examine the four pillars of Ayushman Bharat and assess its impact on India's progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
GS Paper 2 · Health, Social Sector · 15 Marks
Prelims Practice MCQ
With reference to Ayushman Bharat — PM-JAY, consider the following statements:
1. It provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.
2. The Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana extended coverage to all senior citizens above 60 years.
3. Both public and private hospitals are empanelled under the scheme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: B) 1 and 3 only.
Statement 1 is correct — AB-PMJAY provides ₹5 lakh per family per year coverage. Statement 2 is incorrect — Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana (October 2024) extended coverage to senior citizens above 70 years, not 60 years. Statement 3 is correct — as of June 2026, 36,218 hospitals are empanelled: 19,659 public and 16,559 private.
Statement 1 is correct — AB-PMJAY provides ₹5 lakh per family per year coverage. Statement 2 is incorrect — Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana (October 2024) extended coverage to senior citizens above 70 years, not 60 years. Statement 3 is correct — as of June 2026, 36,218 hospitals are empanelled: 19,659 public and 16,559 private.
