Healthcare
India — Healthcare: Private Insurance
India's national public health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, is run by the National Health Authority. Household eligibility is drawn from the deprivation and occupational criteria of the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census, and any Indian citizen aged 70 or above is eligible irrespective of income. The scheme is not designed around expatriates, so people living in India on a foreign passport should plan for private health insurance and check each insurer's terms. The government does not publish private insurance premiums or hospital deposit amounts; ask insurers and hospitals for written quotes.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceNational Health Authority (Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY)Last reviewed: 2026-10-23
Key facts
- PM-JAY eligibility is based on the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census criteria, and Indian citizens aged 70 or above are eligible irrespective of income.
- Citizens who benefit from another government health scheme must choose between that scheme and PM-JAY.
- The government does not publish private insurance premiums or hospital admission deposits; ask for written quotes.
Common mistakes
- Assuming public schemes like PM-JAY will cover a foreign resident — they are built around Indian households; check eligibility with the National Health Authority.