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Difference Between Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMJAY vs PMMVY)

Team AckoJan 23, 2025

India is the second-most populous country in the world and man-power is its main strength. The government runs various schemes that provide financial aid or services in sectors like healthcare, food, sanitation, etc. Two of such benefits schemes are Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. They both serve separate purposes. Let’s take a look at the difference between Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.

Contents

Ayushman Bharat Yojana - The Government's Health Insurance Plan
Ayushman Bharat Yojana Benefits and Features
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana – A Maternity Benefit Scheme
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Benefits
Difference Between Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PMJAY) and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
- Conclusion:
- Frequently Asked Questions:
A Guide to Financial Stability with Term Insurance

Ayushman Bharat Yojana - The Government's Health Insurance Plan

Ayushman Bharat Yojana is a large health insurance scheme started by the Indian government. Over 50 crore low income individuals in India who had no medical insurance are eligible under this scheme.It provides a health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family annually to economically underprivileged families

The scheme was launched nationally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 23, 2018. It formally came into effect on September 25, 2018. It is also known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

Ayushman Bharat Yojana Benefits and Features

Some of the main benefits and features covered under this scheme are:

It provides financial health protection and covers hospital expenses for economically disadvantaged individuals and families in both rural and urban areas.
The enrolled beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat Yojana do not need to pay any insurance premiums or costs.
The scheme covers expenses incurred for secondary care hospitalisation and also some expensive tertiary care procedures and treatments.
Ayushman Bharat Yojana policy covers pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses as well.
Cashless treatment is available across the country at various empanelled hospitals from both the public and private sectors.
Enrolled hospitals designate an Ayushman Mitra, who helps the beneficiaries understand and access the benefits under the scheme.
Dedicated help desks and facilitation centers have also been established across hospitals to assist with eligibility confirmation, scheme enrollment and documentation needed.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana – A Maternity Benefit Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is a maternity benefit program sponsored by the Government of India. It provides cash assistance of up to Rs. 5000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers.

The scheme was introduced because unfortunately many malnourished women give birth to underweight babies, leading to high infant mortality rates in India. Also, inadequate care during pregnancy, and women resuming work soon after delivery without fully recovering causes problems in future pregnancies and breastfeeding.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Benefits

Some of the main objectives and advantages of this program for pregnant and lactating mothers are:

It aims to provide adequate rest and recovery time after delivery as well as more leave of absence options for expecting mothers during pregnancy. This helps in reducing cases of illness and death during the childbearing phase.
It also seeks to minimise malnutrition-related infant deaths by providing good nutrition and care to mothers.
Women who are pregnant and breastfeeding are financially supported under the scheme via wage compensation during the maternity phase and for baby care expenses.
The focus is on promoting safe deliveries for women, along with proper guidance and nourishment.
A cash incentive of Rs 5000 is provided in three instalments to the eligible women - Rs 1000 on early registration of pregnancy, Rs 2000 after 6 months of pregnancy and Rs 2000 after registering the birth.
The first instalment is given when the pregnancy is registered at a medical centre or Anganwadi.

Difference Between Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PMJAY) and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

Here is a table that shows the differences between Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana:

S. No	Parameter	PM-JAY	PMMVY
1	Launch Date	23 September 2018	2017
2	Full-Form	Pradhan Mantri Jana Aarogya Yojana or Ayushman Bharat Yojana	Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
3	Meaning	The meaning of this scheme loosely translates to ;Long Live India Scheme;. It indirectly gives a message that the healthcare scheme will help a person live longer.	Matru Vandana means worshipping the mother. The scheme provides maternity benefits to first-time mothers.
4	Owner	National Health Authority	Ministry of Women & Child Development under National Food Security Act, 2013
5	Purpose	To provide health insurance benefits to low-income families	To help with dietary and nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating women
6	Monetary benefit	A total sum insured of Rs. 5 Lakh per family	An incentive of Rs. 5000
7	Renewability	Lifetime (visits to Swastha Vibhag or an empanelled hospital is required to keep the card active)	Not applicable
8	Health card name	Ayushman Bharat Health Card or PM-JAY Card	MCP (Mother and Child Protection) Card
9	Registration is done by	Self with the help of Aadhaar card	Seva Mitra
10	Eligibility	Families that are classified as financially deprived under Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011 data and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana are eligible	A first-time pregnant woman over the age of 19 years is eligible
11	Health insurance	Available	Not available
12	Maternity benefits	Covered	Not covered
13	Claim	Cashless claim during treatment	Disbursement of incentive after filling applications at corresponding stages of pregnancy and childbirth.
14	Number of beneficiaries	All family members	One
15	Conditions covered	COVID-19 Prostate cancer Coronary artery bypass graft Double valve replacement Pulmonary valve replacement Anterior spine fixation Skull base surgery Laryngopharyngectomy with gastric pull-up Carotid angioplasty with stent Tissue expander for disfigurement following burns, etc.	Pregnancy Childbirth

Also, read; Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA Card)

Conclusion:

National schemes are an excellent way of providing healthcare and other services to the lower strata of society. This enables them to avail proper medical treatments and access to nutrition to an extent. Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are gaining recognition from all over the world where these schemes are deemed as “ambitious” by the World Health Organization.

Frequently Asked Questions:

National schemes like PM-JAY and PMMVY are implemented in almost every state in the country. However, the expansion to cover the entire geographical area is under process. Both schemes are a little complex to understand and people may have lots of questions regarding the plans and their benefits or eligibility. Here are answers to a few of those questions:

Is there a difference between Ayushman Bharat Yojana and PM-JAY?

No, these are names of the same scheme. There have been modifications in the Pradhan Mantri Jana Arogya Yojana and the end result was Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

What are the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana?

Health insurance benefits are provided under Ayushman Bharat Yojana to low income families. There is no restriction on the number, age or gender of the family members. Pre-existing diseases are covered. And free COVID-19 tests are provided.

What documents are required for PMMVY?

The following list of document are usually required for the PMMVY:

Duly filled Application Form
Copy of MCP card
Identity Proof
Bank details
An undertaking signed by the applicant and her husband

What is the eligibility of PM-JAY?

Families that belong to low-income groups are covered under PM-JAY.

What is the use of PM-JAY?

An eligible person can use the PM-JAY scheme benefits during a medical emergency. He/she can avail cashless and paper-free treatment at an empanelled hospital. The sum insured for one family is Rs. 5 lakh/year.

Who is ineligible to get the benefits of PM-JAY?

Any person that does not fit the eligibility criteria cannot avail the benefits of this scheme. This means a person with a steady income, not financially deprived and who does not belong below the poverty line is not eligible.

What is Ayushman Bharat Yojana?

Ayushman Bharat Yojana is the world’s biggest national healthcare program that covers low-income groups against medical treatments and related expenses.

Which diseases are covered by Ayushman Bharat?

This is a short list of diseases covered under PM-JAY scheme:

Prostate cancer
Double valve replacement
Coronary artery bypass graft
COVID-19
Pulmonary valve replacement
Skull base surgery
Anterior spine fixation
Laryngopharyngectomy with gastric pull-up
Tissue expander for disfigurement following burns
Carotid angioplasty with stent

How to apply for Pradhan Mantri matritva Vandana Yojana?

One can visit the local anganwadi center or any approved health care facility and apply for the scheme with the required documents.

What is Pradhan Mantri matru Vandana Yojana?

PMMVY is a national scheme that provides monetary benefit to a first-time mother. The intention is to take care of basic dietary and nutritional needs that a woman has during pregnancy and childbirth.

How am I eligible for the Ayushman Bharat Yojana?

Eligibility for Ayushman Bharat Yojana is determined based on the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. Families listed under the SECC database for the rural and urban poor and those covered under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) are eligible.

Can I enroll in PM-JAY online?

There is no need for enrollment, as beneficiaries are identified through the SECC database and RSBY. However, you can verify your eligibility through the PM-JAY portal or by calling the helpline.

How can I get the Ayushman Bharat card?

Eligible beneficiaries can get their Ayushman Bharat card (also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana card) by visiting the nearest empanelled hospital or Common Service Center (CSC) with their Aadhaar card and the mobile number linked to their SECC database.

What are the charges for joining PM-JAY?

There are no charges for joining PM-JAY. The government completely funds it.

How many family members can be covered under PM-JAY?

PM-JAY covers all members of an eligible family, with no cap on the family size or age of the members.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change. Refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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