Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi

✦Key Features

• It is a non-lapsable reserve fund in the Public Account of India.
• The fund is constituted from the proceeds of the Health and Education Cess levied under Section 136B of the Finance Act, 2018.
• Funds can be utilized for schemes such as Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY & Health and Wellness Centres), National Health Mission, and Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).
• Ensures predictable and sustainable financing for critical health initiatives.
• Managed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

✓Eligibility Criteria

• As an institutional fund, direct individual eligibility criteria do not apply.
• It is a mechanism for funding government health initiatives and schemes.
• The fund supports health infrastructure, services, and human resources across India.

★Benefits

• Ensures a stable and dedicated financial resource for health sector development.
• Enhances the financial sustainability and predictability of major health programs.
• Facilitates expansion and improvement of health infrastructure and services.
• Reduces the impact of annual budgetary fluctuations on health sector funding.

▶Application Process

• Not applicable as it is an institutional fund and does not involve individual application.
• The fund allocates resources to approved health schemes and projects based on policy decisions.
• Expenditures from the fund are managed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

₹ Budget Allocation

Funded primarily through the proceeds of Health and Education Cess levied under Section 136B of the Finance Act, 2018. It is a non-lapsable reserve fund, ensuring continuous availability of funds.

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% derived from the proceeds of the Health and Education Cess (4%) levied on Income Tax and Corporation Tax.

Historical Context

Approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2021 to manage the Health and Education Cess proceeds effectively under a single non-lapsable fund in the Public Account.