What is the main objective of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)?

NORCERT 8 Mains-2025

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: NORCERT 8 Mains-2025

Explanation

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is a flagship health insurance scheme by the Government of India.
Its primary goal is to provide financial protection to poor and vulnerable families against high medical expenses from hospitalization.
The scheme offers a health coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.
Beneficiaries are identified based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011, targeting over 50 crore individuals.

Option B: This is the objective of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), not PMJAY.
Option C: This is the main goal of the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), which provides cash assistance to encourage deliveries in health facilities.
Option D: This is the objective of the Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy, which focuses on reducing anemia across various age groups through supplementation and other measures.

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart summarizing the key features of PMJAY, including coverage amount, beneficiary criteria, and the scope of services.
Visual 2: Flowchart: A diagram illustrating the process for a beneficiary to avail cashless treatment under PMJAY, from identification to hospital discharge.
Visual 3: Table: A comparative table of major Indian health schemes (PMJAY, JSY, PMSMA, AMB), highlighting their primary objectives, target groups, and benefits.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Objectives of National Health Programmes in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses, particularly Community Health Officers (CHOs) and Arogya Mitras, are instrumental in identifying eligible families, creating awareness about PMJAY, and facilitating their access to care.
At the hospital level, nurses assist in the verification process using the Beneficiary Identification System (BIS), ensuring a smooth and cashless experience for the patient.
Understanding these schemes allows nurses to guide patients to the appropriate resources, reducing their financial burden and improving health outcomes.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question about a major government health policy.
First, identify the key term in the question: 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)'.
Recall the primary purpose of this specific scheme. PMJAY is widely known as a health insurance or protection scheme.
Evaluate the given options. Option A directly states 'provide health insurance coverage', which aligns with the core function of PMJAY.
Briefly consider the other options to confirm they relate to different health objectives (maternal health, delivery promotion, anemia), which are covered by other specific schemes like PMSMA, JSY, and AMB.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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