Health Schemes
A child gets sick, or falls behind, or is born with something no one expected. A family doesn't know where to turn. What most don't know is that help already exists: free screening, free treatment, government insurance, legal protections for children with health conditions. Here is what exists, what it actually covers, and how to reach it.
Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY)
Hospitalisation cover for eligible families and all citizens aged 70 years or above under the senior-citizen expansion
A Government of India health assurance scheme providing cashless secondary and tertiary hospital care at empanelled public and private hospitals.
Eligible families identified under the applicable PM-JAY beneficiary database and state convergence rules. Citizens aged 70 years and above may be covered under the seniorcitizen component, subject to current enrolment rules.
Check eligibility on the official beneficiary portal/app, through an Ayushman Mitra, Common Service Centre or empanelled hospital.
Complete e-KYC and obtain an Ayushman card.
Cashless hospital treatment up to the notified annual family limit (commonly Rs 5 lakh), for covered packages, including specified pre- and post-hospitalisation services.
National Health Authority (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare). PM-JAY helpline: 14555. Hospital helpline: 14413.
Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)
A voluntary digital health identity for citizens.
A unique digital health account that helps people link and share health records with consent across participating health facilities.
Any resident who voluntarily chooses to create an ABHA.
Create an ABHA using the official portal/app or at a participating health facility using mobile number and accepted identity verification.
A unique ABHA number and easier consent-based access to digital prescriptions, reports and health records where services are integrated.
National Health Authority. ABDM support is available through the official portal help section; PM-JAY/NHA general helpline: 14555.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
Maternity cash benefit for eligible pregnant and lactating women.
A centrally sponsored maternity benefit scheme providing direct cash support linked to specified maternal and child health conditions.
Eligible pregnant and lactating women under PMMVY rules. Current provisions include benefit for the first child and an additional benefit for the second child when the second child is a girl, subject to conditions and exclusions.
Register through the Anganwadi worker/ASHA or the official PMMVY system. Provide Aadhaar, bank/post-office account, pregnancy registration and required maternal-child health records.
DBT cash benefit as per current instalment rules (official guidance currently describes Rs 5,000 for the first child and Rs 6,000 for an eligible second girl child).
Ministry of Women & Child Development. Contact Anganwadi centre, Child Development Project Officer, District Programme Officer or Women Helpline 181 for guidance/referral.
Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0
Nutrition, growth monitoring and early childhood services.
An integrated nutrition support programme delivered mainly through Anganwadi Services, focusing on children, pregnant women, lactating mothers and eligible adolescent girls.
Children below 6 years, pregnant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls in notified categories/areas.
Register at the local Anganwadi centre and participate in growth monitoring, nutrition counselling, health check-ups and referral.
Supplementary nutrition as applicable, growth monitoring, nutrition.and health education, early childhood care and education, health check-up and referral linkages.
Ministry of Women & Child Development / State ICDS Department. Contact the Anganwadi Worker, CDPO or district programme office; Women Helpline 181 where.
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)
MAdolescent-friendly health services for ages 10-19.
A national adolescent health programme addressing nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, injuries and violence, substance misuse and noncommunicable diseases.
Adolescents aged 10-19 years, including girls and boys, married and unmarried, in and out of school.
Use Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics, school/community sessions, peer educator services or seek referral through ASHA/ANM. Health & Wellness ambasador or messagnger
Counselling, clinical services, health education, screening, referral and programme commodities/services as locally available. Nearest Ujala Clinic
National Health Mission, Adolescent Health Division. Contact nearest AFHC, ASHA/ANM or state health helpline 104. For mental health support call Tele-MANAS 14416.
Anaemia Mukt Bharat
Life-cycle approach to prevent and treat anaemia.
A national strategy using iron-folic acid supplementation, deworming, testing and treatment, behaviour change and fortified foods.
Children, adolescents, women of reproductive age, pregnant women and lactating mothers in specified age groups.
Take age-appropriate IFA and deworming as advised; attend haemoglobin testing and nutrition counselling at school, Anganwadi or health facility.
Preventive supplementation, screening, treatment and referral through public programmes.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / National Health Mission. Contact ASHA/ANM, Anganwadi/school health team or state helpline 104.
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
Cash assistance to promote institutional delivery.
A safe-motherhood intervention under the National Health Mission encouraging pregnant women to deliver in health institutions.
Eligibility depends on state category, age, parity, poverty status and notified JSY rules. ASHA workers help identify eligible pregnant women.
Register pregnancy early with an ASHA/ANM or government health facility, complete antenatal care and deliver at an eligible institution. Provide bank and identity details for payment.
Cash assistance to eligible mothers and incentives/support for ASHA workers; amounts vary by rural/urban area and state category.
National Health Mission, Maternal Health Division. Contact local ASHA/ANM, block medical office, district health society or state helpline 104.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)
Fixed-day quality antenatal check-up, usually on the 9th of every month.
A programme offering assured antenatal assessment by trained providers, with special attention to high-risk pregnancy
Pregnant women, particularly in the second and third trimesters, attending designated public facilities.
Visit a designated PMSMA facility on the notified day with the MCP card and reports. Ask the ASHA/ANM about the nearest site.
Day______Facility Name
Clinical examination, essential investigations, counselling, risk classification, treatment and referral where needed
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / National Health Mission. Local ASHA/ANM, facility help desk or state health helpline 104.
Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) and Mission Indradhanush
Free vaccination for pregnant women and children under the national schedule.
The national programme providing vaccines against specified vaccine-preventable diseases; Mission Indradhanush focuses on children and pregnant women who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
Pregnant women, infants and children in age groups specified in the National Immunisation Schedule.
Register at a government health facility or vaccination session, carry the MCP/immunisation card and complete doses on schedule.
Free vaccines listed in the national schedule, vaccination records, counselling and follow-up for missed doses.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / National Health Mission. Contact ASHA/ANM, nearest public facility or state health helpline 104.
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)
Child health screening for the 4 Ds.
A child-health screening and early-intervention programme covering Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies and Developmental delays including disabilities.
Children from birth to 18 years through public facilities, Anganwadi centres and government/government-aided schools as covered by programme guidelines.
Ensure newborn screening, attend Anganwadi/school screening, and follow referral advice to a District Early Intervention Centre or higher facility.
Free screening, referral, early intervention and management support for notified conditions within the public system.
National Health Mission, Child Health Division. Contact ASHA/ANM, school health team, District Early Intervention Centre or state helpline 104. Contact No. of MHT.
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)
Free TB testing, treatment and patient support.
India's public programme for TB prevention, diagnosis, notification, treatment, adherence support and contact management.
Anyone with possible TB symptoms, persons exposed to TB, and diagnosed TB patients.
Visit a public health facility or authorised provider for testing. Diagnosed cases are registered in Ni-kshay and should complete the prescribed treatment.
Free diagnostics and anti-TB medicines, adherence support, contact screening/preventive treatment where eligible, and nutrition support under applicable DBT rules.
Central TB Division, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Ni-kshay Sampark helpline: 1800-11-6666.
National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP)
Free diagnosis and multidrug therapy for leprosy.
A national programme for early detection, complete treatment, disability prevention, contact examination and stigma reduction.
Anyone with suspicious skin patches, sensory loss, nerve symptoms or diagnosed leprosy.
Visit a government health facility for examination; take multidrug therapy exactly as prescribed and attend follow-up.
Free multidrug therapy, counselling, disability prevention and referral for complications/reconstructive care where indicated.
Directorate General of Health Services / State Health Department. Contact nearest PHC/CHC/district hospital or state helpline 104.
Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) Programme
Free iron and folic acid supplements, deworming, and anaemia prevention support for adolescents.
India's national programme to prevent and reduce iron deficiency anaemia among adolescents through weekly iron and folic acid supplementation, biannual deworming, and nutrition and health education.
School-going adolescents (10-19 years) in government and government-aided schools, and out-of-school adolescents (10-19 years) through
Receive and consume the weekly Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablet as directed through your school or Anganwadi Centre, participate in scheduled deworming activities, and attend nutrition and health education sessions.
Free weekly Iron and Folic Acid tablets, periodic deworming tablets as per programme schedule, nutrition education, and support to prevent and manage iron deficiency anaemia.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, in coordination with State Health Departments. For information, contact your nearest Health & Wellness Centre, Primary Health Centre (PHC), or Anganwadi Centre.
National Deworming Programme (NDD)
Free deworming tablets to protect children and adolescents from intestinal worm infections.
India's national programme to reduce the prevalence of soil-transmitted intestinal worm infections among children and adolescents through periodic mass deworming and health education.
Children aged 1-19 years, including preschool children through Anganwadi Centres and school-going children and adolescents in government, government-aided, and private schools.
Receive and consume the deworming tablet (Albendazole) on National Deworming Day or Mop-up Day through your school, Anganwadi Centre, or designated health facility, as per programme guidelines.
Free Albendazole tablets, protection against intestinal worm infections, improved nutritional status, and support for healthy growth, development, and school attendance.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, in collaboration with State Health Departments. For information, contact your nearest Health & Wellness Centre, Primary Health Centre (PHC), Anganwadi Centre, or school health authorities.
ADIP Scheme - Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Aids and Appliances
Assistive devices for eligible persons with disabilities.
A central scheme providing durable, scientifically manufactured assistive devices to improve independent functioning and reduce disability impact.
Indian citizens with benchmark/eligible disability who meet income and other current ADIP conditions.
Apply through an authorised camp, implementing agency, ALIMCO channel or relevant portal with disability certificate/UDID, income proof and identification.
Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, prostheses, orthoses and other notified aids, free or subsidised according to eligibility.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. National disability helpline: 14456; UDID helpdesk through official portal.
National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI)
Eye screening, cataract services and prevention of avoidable blindness.
A national programme supporting eye screening, cataract surgery, school eye health, corneal blindness services and management of visual impairment.
People with visual problems, cataract or other eligible eye conditions; schoolchildren may be screened under linked activities.
Visit a public eye clinic, district hospital, medical college or approved camp for assessment and referral.
Screening, spectacles for eligible children, cataract surgery and other services as provided under state programme arrangements
Directorate General of Health Services / State Blindness Control Society. Contact district hospital eye department or state health helpline 104.
National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD)
Early identification and management of hearing loss.
A programme for awareness, screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of hearing impairment.
Children and adults with suspected hearing loss, ear disease, speech delay or risk factors.
Register at a government health facility or vaccination session, carry the MCP/immunisation card and complete doses on schedule.
Screening, diagnosis, medical/surgical care and linkage to hearing rehabilitation or assistive devices where eligible.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / State Health Department. Contact district hospital ENT/audiology service or health helpline 104.
National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC)
Relief from pain and serious illness-related suffering.
A programme supporting palliative-care services for people with cancer and other serious chronic or life-limiting illnesses.
Patients with serious illness who need pain relief, symptom.control, psychosocial support or end-of-life care.
Ask the treating hospital, district hospital or medical college for referral to a palliativecare clinic or home-care service.
Pain and symptom management, counselling, caregiver support and coordinated referral, depending on local service availability.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / State Health Department. Contact district hospital/medical college or state health helpline 104.