Section Article

Ayushman Bharat: A Leap Towards Universal Health Coverage in India
Author(s): Aakash Kumar

Abstract
The health of a nation is not merely a reflection of its economic prosperity but also a measure of its social equity political will and developmental vision. In India a country marked by vast demographic diversity and stark socio-economic inequalities the aspiration for universal health coverage (UHC) has long been a formidable challenge. Despite constitutional commitments and successive policy efforts since independence millions of Indians continued to face significant barriers in accessing quality healthcare particularly among rural economically weaker and marginalized communities. The launch of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in 2018 represented a paradigm shift in India’s health policy framework—ushering in an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming the healthcare landscape by ensuring financial protection and healthcare access to over 500 million citizens.