I know that Delhi was not part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the past. I’m wondering if anything has changed recently. As of October 2025, can a Delhi resident get benefits under this national scheme?
No, as of October 2025, Delhi residents still cannot get free treatment under the national Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) scheme. The Government of Delhi has not implemented the central scheme and continues to provide healthcare benefits to its citizens through its own separate health programs.
Delhi Continues with Its Own State Health Scheme
My friend, who is a journalist covering health policy in the capital, recently confirmed the current status for me. He stated that the Delhi government has maintained its position and has not joined the central PM-JAY scheme. Instead, it continues to run its own health initiatives, primarily offering free services at government hospitals and the Delhi Arogya Kosh for specific treatments.
What This Means for Delhi Residents
I was explaining the practical implication of this to my neighbor in Delhi. It means that the concept of having an “Ayushman Card” with a ₹5 lakh cashless limit, which is common in neighboring states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, is not applicable to him. His entitlement to free healthcare in the city comes directly from his status as a Delhi resident, which he proves using documents like his Voter ID card.
The Issue of Portability for Delhi Residents
My neighbor then asked a very important question: if he travels to another state, say Punjab, could he get treatment there under the Ayushman Bharat scheme? I had to clarify that this is not possible. Because Delhi is not a part of the national PM-JAY network, its residents are not registered in the central beneficiary database. Therefore, they cannot avail the scheme’s portability benefits in any other participating state.
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