Not eligible for PMJAY? Don't worry. Explore your options with powerful State Health Schemes.
You've heard about the incredible benefits of the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY scheme, which provides a ₹5 lakh health cover. You followed our guide on how to check your name in the Ayushman list, only to find the message: "No Record Found." This can be disheartening and confusing. Many families, despite being in need, find themselves in this situation.
But this is not the end of the road. It's crucial to understand that the central PMJAY is just one part of India's public health insurance system. Many state governments have stepped in to fill the gaps, launching their own powerful health schemes. This guide will walk you through your alternative options and provide a clear action plan if you are not eligible for the central Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The primary reason for ineligibility is the database used for the central PMJAY scheme. The beneficiary list is based on the **Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) conducted in 2011**. This data is now over a decade old. Many families who were not considered "poor" then may be in need now, and vice versa. There is currently no central process to add new names to this list. Recognizing this gap, states have launched their own solutions.
This is the most important solution for families not covered under PMJAY. State governments have launched schemes that often have much broader eligibility criteria. Here are some of the best examples:
Rajasthan's Chiranjeevi Yojana is a universal scheme. If you are not eligible for the free plan, you can join by paying a nominal premium of ₹850 per year and get a massive **₹25 lakh health cover**.
West Bengal runs its own universal scheme, Swasthya Sathi. **Every resident** of the state (who isn't covered by other govt. plans) is eligible for a ₹5 lakh cover, completely free of cost.
Maharashtra's Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) has also been made **universal**. Every resident of the state is now eligible for the health cover.
States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh have expanded their PMJAY schemes to include **all ration card holders** or other categories like **Sambal Card holders**. Even if you are not on the SECC list, your ration card makes you eligible.
Don't be discouraged. Follow this clear action plan:
In many cases, they are even better. States like Rajasthan offer a much higher cover (₹25 lakh). Others like West Bengal and Maharashtra have made their schemes universal, covering everyone. The benefits are almost always comparable or superior.
This depends on the state. State schemes that are fully integrated with PMJAY (like those in Gujarat or UP) often offer national portability. Purely state-funded schemes (like West Bengal's Swasthya Sathi) may have a more limited network of empanelled hospitals outside the state.