Chandigarh, January 23, 2026: In a landmark move in the healthcare sector, the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has launched the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Yojana, ensuring cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family per year for all residents of the state.
With this initiative, Punjab has become the only state in the country to provide equal healthcare facilities to both rich and poor without any income limit, setting a new national benchmark in universal health coverage.
What is Mukhyamantri Swasthya Yojana?
Mukhyamantri Swasthya Yojana is a universal health insurance scheme aimed at providing free and cashless treatment through a network of empanelled government and private hospitals across Punjab. Under the scheme, treatment costs will be settled directly between hospitals and the implementing agencies, ensuring that beneficiaries do not have to pay anything out of pocket.
Eligibility
The scheme is applicable to all permanent residents of Punjab. There is no income cap or category-based restriction. Families possessing a valid Punjab voter ID are eligible to register. Children below 18 years of age will be covered through their parents’ or guardians’ voter ID. Government employees, pensioners, and individuals working on contract, outsourcing or consultancy basis in Punjab government departments, boards, corporations and societies are also covered.
Coverage and Beneficiaries
Around 65 lakh families will be issued health cards under the scheme, covering nearly 30 million people in the state. Each eligible family will be entitled to cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh annually, doubling the earlier coverage limit of ₹5 lakh.
Issuance of Health Cards
Health cards can be obtained through facilitation centres, Common Service Centres (CSCs) or via online registration using Aadhaar card and Punjab voter ID. To ensure maximum enrolment, trained members of youth clubs will go door-to-door to assist citizens in getting their health cards made.
Treatments and Services Covered
The scheme includes over 2,300 treatment packages, covering secondary and tertiary care across multiple specialties such as orthopaedics, general medicine, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, urology and oncology. Services include dialysis, cancer care, cardiac surgeries, kidney transplant, brain and spine surgeries, knee and hip replacement, cataract surgery, maternity and newborn care, accident and emergency services, ICU care, and pre- and post-hospitalisation services. Diagnostic services related to these treatments are also covered.
Network of Empanelled Hospitals
More than 820 hospitals have been empanelled under the scheme, including government hospitals, private hospitals, PPP hospitals and medical colleges. This extensive network ensures access to quality healthcare at district and sub-district levels across Punjab.
Where Treatment is Available
Beneficiaries can avail cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital in Punjab. Empanelled hospitals in Chandigarh are also included, allowing patients to seek treatment outside the state if required.
How Cashless Treatment Works
Beneficiaries only need to present their Mukhyamantri Swasthya Yojana Health Card at the hospital. No payment will be taken from the patient. After treatment, the hospital will submit claims, which will be settled by the government within a stipulated timeframe.
Objective of the Scheme
The Mukhyamantri Swasthya Yojana reflects the Punjab Government’s commitment to ensuring that no citizen is denied medical treatment due to financial constraints, and to building a healthcare system that is universal, inclusive and accessible to all.
