Ministry: Health & Family Welfare | Date: 17 March 2026 | Source: PIB Delhi (Release IDs: 2241085, 2241083, 2241079, 2241081, 2241080)
Introduction
Five PIB releases on 17 March 2026 from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare cover India’s health security ecosystem — AB-PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana), ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission), HPV vaccination, food adulteration, vector-borne disease control, and health infrastructure norms. These are essential for UPSC Mains GS-II and UPSC Prelims 2026.
Part 1: AB-PMJAY — Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
| Scheme Name | AB-PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana) |
| Launch | September 2018 |
| Coverage | ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation |
| Beneficiaries | Over 55 crore people (bottom 40% of population) |
| Hospital Network | 29,000+ empanelled hospitals (public & private) |
| Ministry | Health & Family Welfare |
| Implementing Body | National Health Authority (NHA) |
Recent Progress (2026)
- Over 7.5 crore hospitalisations covered under AB-PMJAY since launch
- Scheme extended to all citizens above 70 years of age regardless of income (2024 expansion)
- Grievance redressal portal strengthened under NHA
- Fraud prevention measures via AI-based claim scrutiny
Part 2: ABDM — Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
| Mission Name | Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) |
| Launch | September 2021 |
| Key ID | ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) — 14-digit Health ID |
| ABHA Accounts | Over 67 crore created |
| Purpose | Digital health records, interoperability, paperless healthcare |
| Ministry | Health & Family Welfare |
Key Features of ABDM
- ABHA ID: Unique digital health identity for every citizen
- Health Records: Longitudinal health records linked to ABHA ID
- Health Facility Registry: All hospitals/clinics registered digitally
- Healthcare Professionals Registry: All doctors registered digitally
- Interoperability: Patient health data shareable across hospitals seamlessly
Part 3: National HPV Vaccination Programme
The government has launched the National HPV Vaccination Programme to prevent cervical cancer in girls. Key details:
- Target group: Girls aged 9–14 years
- Free vaccination under Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus) causes over 99% of cervical cancer cases
- India is among the top countries for cervical cancer burden globally
- Vaccine: CERVAVAC (indigenously developed by Serum Institute of India)
Part 4: Food Adulteration & Vector-Borne Disease Control
- FSSAI has ramped up enforcement against adulteration in milk, spices, edible oils, and honey
- Government has notified stricter penalties for food adulteration under the FSS Act
- For vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, kala-azar): National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) drives prevention campaigns
- Integrated Vector Management approach deployed in high-burden states including Jharkhand
Part 5: PHCs and CHCs — IPHS Norms
The government has reported on the operationalisation of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) as per Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms — a critical measure of rural health infrastructure quality tracked under NHM (National Health Mission).
Quick Revision Box
- AB-PMJAY: ₹5 lakh/family/year | 55 crore beneficiaries | 29,000+ hospitals
- ABDM launch: September 2021 | ABHA accounts: 67 crore+
- HPV Vaccine: CERVAVAC | Girls aged 9–14 years | Free under UIP
- Helpline: 14555 (Ayushman Bharat)
- NHM covers PHC/CHC health infrastructure monitoring
Source: PIB Delhi, 17 March 2026 | Release IDs: 2241085, 2241083, 2241079, 2241081, 2241080
Also Read: Related UPSC Notes on Governance & Welfare
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