Bihar's Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana (MJAY): The State Add-On to Ayushman Bharat
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikhil Singh
Last reviewed: 18 Jul 2026
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY gives eligible families a Rs 5 lakh per year cashless health cover, but who qualifies is fixed to the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 deprivation list, which was frozen more than a decade ago. Many poor households in Bihar that hold a valid ration card under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) never made it onto that list and so have no PM-JAY card at all.
Bihar's own Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana (MJAY) exists to close exactly that gap. It is a state-government-funded scheme, separate from and running alongside PM-JAY, launched on 22 September 2024 at Gyan Bhawan, Patna, and run by the Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti (BISWASS) - the same agency that implements PM-JAY in the state. This guide covers what MJAY adds, who it is for, and how to actually get covered.
Bihar Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana (MJAY) at a Glance
Benefit design mirrors PM-JAY; funding and eligibility are separate.
- Annual family cover — Rs 5,00,000 per family per year, cashless
- Initial target beneficiaries — About 58 lakh NFSA ration-card families not covered under PM-JAY
- Launch date — 22 September 2024, Gyan Bhawan, Patna
- Implementing agency — Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti (BISWASS) / State Health Society, Bihar
- State toll-free helpline — 104
- National PM-JAY helpline — 14555
Rates shown are as per the Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti (BISWASS), State Nodal Agency for Ayushman Bharat, Government of Bihar (2024) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.
What MJAY Adds Beyond PM-JAY
PM-JAY eligibility runs off the SECC 2011 database. A household that was not captured in that survey is excluded from PM-JAY regardless of how poor it is today. Bihar's MJAY fills precisely this gap: any family holding a valid NFSA ration card, whether or not it appears on the PM-JAY SECC list, can be brought under Bihar's own state-funded cover.
The benefit itself is designed to mirror PM-JAY closely - the same Rs 5,00,000 per family per year, family-floater, cashless treatment at the same empanelled hospital network. State officials have said the two are not meant to stack: a family already holding a PM-JAY card is not additionally enrolled in MJAY, so MJAY is specifically the safety net for households PM-JAY's list misses, not an add-on for those already covered.
Who Is Eligible
Eligibility for MJAY is anchored to ration-card status rather than the SECC deprivation criteria used for PM-JAY. Officials cited an initial target of roughly 58 lakh such families when the scheme was launched.
- Household must hold a valid ration card issued under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Bihar
- Family should not already be enrolled as a PM-JAY beneficiary
- No separate income-certificate requirement beyond ration-card status has been reported
How to Enrol and Get the Card
Enrolment follows the same on-ground process used for Ayushman cards in Bihar. A household can visit its nearest Common Service Centre (Vasudha Kendra) or Jan Seva Kendra, or the Ayushman Mitra help desk at an empanelled hospital, with its ration card and Aadhaar card. After biometric e-KYC verification and approval through the Beneficiary Identification System (BIS), the card is generated at the same visit.
For help with enrolment or to check status, the state's toll-free helpline is 104; the national Ayushman Bharat helpline 14555 can also assist for scheme-wide queries.
How It Works Alongside PM-JAY at Hospitals
At the hospital counter, MJAY and PM-JAY cardholders are treated through the same cashless process and the same empanelled network of government and private hospitals across Bihar. The patient is not billed for the covered secondary or tertiary treatment package; the hospital claims the package rate from the scheme instead. Beyond hospital care, Bihar's Health Department also runs narrower, condition-specific state assistance programmes outside PM-JAY, so it is worth asking the Ayushman Mitra desk what state support applies to a specific diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bihar's Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana the same scheme as Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?
No. PM-JAY is the central scheme, with eligibility fixed to the SECC 2011 list. MJAY is a separate, Bihar-government-funded scheme that covers NFSA ration-card families the PM-JAY list leaves out.
How much health cover does MJAY provide?
MJAY mirrors PM-JAY's benefit design: Rs 5,00,000 per family per year, on a cashless, family-floater basis for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation at empanelled hospitals.
Who is eligible for Bihar's MJAY?
Any family in Bihar holding a valid ration card under the National Food Security Act that is not already a PM-JAY beneficiary family. Officials have cited an initial target base of about 58 lakh such families.
Can a family get both PM-JAY and MJAY cover at the same time?
Reports indicate the two are not meant to be stacked. MJAY is intended for families excluded from PM-JAY; a household already holding a PM-JAY card is not separately enrolled under MJAY.
How do I apply for or get an MJAY card in Bihar?
Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (Vasudha Kendra), Jan Seva Kendra, or an empanelled hospital's Ayushman Mitra help desk with your ration card and Aadhaar card for e-KYC verification. Call the state helpline 104 or the national helpline 14555 for assistance.
Which agency administers MJAY in Bihar?
The Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti (BISWASS), also known as the State Health Society, Bihar - the same state nodal agency that implements Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in the state.
When was MJAY launched?
MJAY was launched on 22 September 2024 at Gyan Bhawan, Patna, coinciding with Ayushman Bharat's anniversary observance in the state.
Related
- OPD Appointment at Patna Medical College & Hospital (PMCH), Patna
- OPD Appointment at ANMMCH, Gaya
- How to find an Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) hospital near you
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY eligibility check
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
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No. PM-JAY is the central scheme, with eligibility fixed to the SECC 2011 list. MJAY is a separate, Bihar-government-funded scheme that covers NFSA ration-card families the PM-JAY list leaves out.
MJAY mirrors PM-JAY's benefit design: Rs 5,00,000 per family per year, on a cashless, family-floater basis for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation at empanelled hospitals.
Any family in Bihar holding a valid ration card under the National Food Security Act that is not already a PM-JAY beneficiary family. Officials have cited an initial target base of about 58 lakh such families.
Reports indicate the two are not meant to be stacked. MJAY is intended for families excluded from PM-JAY; a household already holding a PM-JAY card is not separately enrolled under MJAY.
Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (Vasudha Kendra), Jan Seva Kendra, or an empanelled hospital's Ayushman Mitra help desk with your ration card and Aadhaar card for e-KYC verification. Call the state helpline 104 or the national helpline 14555 for assistance.
The Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti (BISWASS), also known as the State Health Society, Bihar - the same state nodal agency that implements Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in the state.
MJAY was launched on 22 September 2024 at Gyan Bhawan, Patna, coinciding with Ayushman Bharat's anniversary observance in the state.
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Written by Dr. Nikhil Singh
Last reviewed: 18 July 2026
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The content provided on Zospital is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.
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