Mukhyamantri Health Card Scheme, launched on June 17, 2025, aims to provide free healthcare to BPL families in Bihar, offering up to ₹5 lakh annual coverage. The initiative targets over 3.75 crore beneficiaries, ensuring cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals. The scheme integrates with Ayushman Bharat, enhancing healthcare access for the poor.
Bihar’s New Healthcare Initiative for BPL Families
On June 17, 2025, the Bihar government rolled out the Mukhyamantri Health Card Scheme, a landmark initiative designed to provide free and accessible healthcare to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families across the state. The scheme, launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, aims to bridge the gap in healthcare access for economically disadvantaged households by offering cashless medical treatment with an annual coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family.
The Mukhyamantri Health Card Scheme integrates seamlessly with the central government’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), leveraging its infrastructure to ensure efficient delivery of benefits. According to state health minister Mangal Pandey, the scheme targets over 3.75 crore BPL beneficiaries in Bihar, with 1,173 hospitals already empanelled to provide treatment under the program. In the financial year 2024-25, the state government spent ₹1,000 crore on healthcare for the poor, and this new initiative is expected to further bolster these efforts.
Eligible families will receive a Mukhyamantri Health Card, which can be used for cashless hospitalisation, covering a wide range of medical procedures, including critical surgeries and treatments for chronic illnesses. The scheme prioritizes transparency in beneficiary selection, with a special campaign scheduled from May 26-28, 2025, to issue health cards at the panchayat level. This grassroots approach aims to ensure that even remote and marginalized communities can access the benefits.
Officials have emphasized that the scheme addresses longstanding challenges in healthcare affordability, particularly for BPL families who often face financial distress due to medical expenses. The integration with Ayushman Bharat allows beneficiaries to seek treatment at both public and private hospitals, with the government covering costs directly through a digital payment system. The state is also working to address data discrepancies, such as those seen in other regions like Haryana, where errors in family ID records led to the cancellation of over 34,000 BPL ration cards.
The launch event, held in Patna, saw participation from health department officials and local leaders, who hailed the scheme as a game-changer for Bihar’s healthcare landscape. The government has allocated significant funds for the program, with plans to expand the network of empanelled hospitals to ensure wider coverage. Beneficiaries can apply for the health card online through the official Ayushman Bharat portal or at designated Common Service Centres (CSCs) across the state.
To ensure the scheme’s success, the Bihar government has introduced measures to prevent misuse, drawing lessons from Maharashtra’s Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, where 2,289 ineligible beneficiaries were recently removed. Aadhaar-based verification and regular audits will be conducted to maintain the integrity of the beneficiary list.
Disclaimer: This article is based on news reports and official statements from the Bihar government and health department sources as of July 5, 2025. Information is subject to change as new developments emerge.