AB PM-JAY enables Rs. 87 crore in cashless mental health treatments with 77,634 hospital admissions
Under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the National Health Benefit Package has expanded to cover 1,961 procedures across 27 medical specialties, including 22 for mental disorders. As of March 21, 2025, 77,634 hospital admissions worth Rs. 87 crore have been authorized, providing beneficiaries with cashless treatment for conditions such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disabilities.
The Government continues to improve mental healthcare access and affordability through key initiatives like AB PM-JAY and the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP).
The Government is implementing the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), a component of NMHP, in 767 districts. The programme provides outpatient services, counselling, continuing care for severe mental disorders, and a 10-bed in-patient facility at the district level. Mental health services have been extended to over 1.75 lakh Sub Health Centres and Primary Health Centres, now upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
In tertiary care, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase postgraduate intake in mental health specialities and provide advanced treatment facilities. Additionally, 19 medical institutions have received support to strengthen 47 PG departments in mental health.
The country has 47 government-run mental hospitals, including three Central Mental Health Institutions: NIMHANS, Bengaluru, LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Assam, and the Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. These institutions also offer online training to healthcare professionals through Digital Academies, with 42,488 professionals trained since 2018.
The “National Tele Mental Health Programme” launched in October 2022 has expanded tele mental health services across 36 States/UTs, with 53 Tele MANAS Cells handling over 19.67 lakh calls on the helpline. To enhance support, the Government launched the Tele MANAS Mobile Application on World Mental Health Day in October 2024, offering assistance for issues ranging from mental well-being to disorders.
Furthermore, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) issued a Master Circular on Health Insurance Business in May 2024, mandating insurers to offer products that cover mental health conditions in compliance with the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
