Progress of Ayushman Bharat Schemes (as of 28 Feb 2026) The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released a comprehensive update on two flagship health initiatives – AB-PMJAY and the ABDM . The data reflect rapid scaling of both coverage and digital infrastructure. Key Developments (Feb 2026) Total Ayushman cards created: 43.52 crore , including 1.14 crore senior‑citizen Vay Vandana cards. Hospitals empanelled under AB-PMJAY: 36,229 (public: 19,483 ; private: 16,746 ). Cashless procedures covered under the latest HBP : 1,961 across 27 specialties. Hospital admissions authorised: 11.69 crore admissions amounting to Rs 1.73 lakh crore in expenditure. ABDM digital footprint: 86.64 crore ABHA accounts created; 90.70 crore health records linked; 2.56 lakh facilities using ABDM‑enabled software. Important Facts The scheme now covers 12 crore families (bottom 40 % of the population) and, as of March 2024, an additional 37 lakh families of ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. Moreover, the senior‑citizen extension adds 6 crore beneficiaries (4.5 crore families) aged 70 years and above, irrespective of economic status. UPSC Relevance Understanding the scale and design of AB‑PMJAY and ABDM is crucial for several UPSC topics: Social Justice & Health Security (GS1) : The scheme exemplifies targeted public‑spending for universal health coverage and the inclusion of vulnerable groups such as senior citizens. Digital Governance (GS3) : ABDM showcases the government's push for interoperable digital infrastructure, data privacy, and citizen‑centric services. Fiscal Implications (GS3) : The authorised expenditure of Rs 1.73 lakh crore highlights the budgetary burden and the need for sustainable financing. Policy Implementation (GS2) : The empanelment of both public and private hospitals illustrates the public‑private partnership model in health service delivery. Way Forward While the numbers indicate impressive outreach, the following steps are essential for consolidating gains: Strengthen quality assurance mechanisms across the empanelled hospitals to ensure uniform standards of care. Accelerate integration of peripheral health centres into ABDM to achieve a truly universal digital health record system. Enhance monitoring of claim fraud and misuse, leveraging the digital IDs and linked records. Promote awareness among senior citizens about the Vay Vandana cards to maximise utilisation. These measures will help India move closer to the goal of “Health for All” while maintaining fiscal prudence and technological robustness.