Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) Odisha: A Guide

The Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) is the flagship health assurance scheme of the Government of Odisha. In July 2024, the scheme was renamed from its former title, the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), which may still be used by people searching for information. The scheme aims to provide financial protection against high medical expenses for families across the state.

A major development occurred in January 2025 when the Odisha government integrated GJAY with the central government's Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This move expanded the scheme's reach while retaining its unique state-level benefits.

GJAY provides an annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family. A notable feature is the enhanced coverage for women, who can avail benefits up to ₹10 lakh per year after the initial family limit of ₹5 lakh is exhausted. This guide provides detailed information on the scheme's coverage, eligibility, enrollment process, and how it functions at hospitals.

GJAY Odisha: At a Glance

Information is based on data available as of early 2025. Beneficiaries should confirm details with official sources.

• Scheme Name — Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY)
• Formerly Known As — Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY)
• Annual Coverage Per Family — ₹5 lakh
• Annual Coverage for Women Members — Up to ₹10 lakh (after family limit is exhausted)
• Scheme Renamed — July 2024
• Integrated with PM-JAY — January 2025
• Implementing Authority — Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha
• Helpline (General Queries) — 104
• Helpline (Smart Card Issues) — 155369
• Helpline (Feedback) — 14545

Rates shown are as per the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha (2025) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

What Does the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) Cover?

The Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana provides comprehensive health coverage through two main components: free healthcare at all government facilities and cashless treatment at empanelled private hospitals for eligible families.

For all patients, regardless of their income status or place of residence, the scheme offers completely free health services at state-run facilities. This includes all government healthcare institutions from sub-centers and primary health centres to district headquarters hospitals and government medical colleges.

For eligible card-holding families, the scheme provides cashless treatment at a network of empanelled private hospitals. The annual coverage is ₹5 lakh per family. A significant provision of GJAY is the additional coverage for female members of the family. After the family's base sum of ₹5 lakh is used up, women members can avail an extra ₹5 lakh, taking their total potential coverage to ₹10 lakh in a year.

• **Covered Procedures:** The scheme covers a wide range of medical and surgical interventions, including cardiac surgeries, cancer treatments, kidney-related procedures, orthopedic surgeries, and general surgeries.
• **Included Expenses:** Coverage includes costs related to medical consultations, diagnostic tests, hospital admission, treatment, and follow-up care.
• **Pre-existing Conditions:** All pre-existing diseases are covered from the first day of the policy, with no waiting period.

Who is Eligible for GJAY?

Eligibility for the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana varies depending on the type of benefit. While certain services are universal, the cashless treatment component at private hospitals is targeted.

For cashless services at empanelled private hospitals, eligibility is extended to families in Odisha who hold a National Food Security Act (NFSA) or a State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) ration card. All families who previously held a BSKY smart card are automatically considered eligible under the renamed GJAY scheme. The scheme is intended for permanent residents of Odisha.

The eligibility criteria for Odisha's state scheme are broader than those for the national Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. While PM-JAY primarily uses the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data to identify beneficiaries, GJAY includes a larger segment of the population by covering all NFSA and SFSS cardholders, which includes many Above Poverty Line (APL) families in addition to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.

How to Enrol and Get the GJAY Smart Card

There is no direct, manual enrollment or application process for the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana. The identification of beneficiaries is an automatic process managed by the state government.

Families who are covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) or the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) are automatically enrolled in the scheme. Their data is sourced directly from the state's food security databases.

The government issues a dedicated smart health card, now known as the GJAY card (previously the BSKY card), to all eligible families. If a family has not yet received their card, they can visit their nearest "Mo Seva Kendra" (Common Service Centers in Odisha) to have one issued. For this, they need to present their valid NFSA or SFSS card for verification. An Aadhaar card is also a key document used for beneficiary verification at the time of hospitalisation.

GJAY's Integration with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

In a significant policy shift, the Government of Odisha signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Health Authority in January 2025 to implement the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. This means the state's Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana now operates in convergence with the central scheme.

This integration brings a major advantage for the residents of Odisha: portability of benefits. Beneficiaries of GJAY can now access cashless treatment at any of the more than 29,000 hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY across India. This greatly expands the network of available healthcare providers, especially for those who may need specialized treatment outside Odisha.

Despite the convergence, Odisha has retained the key features of its state scheme. GJAY continues to have broader eligibility criteria (NFSA/SFSS cardholders) than the national PM-JAY standard. Furthermore, the state's unique provision of higher annual coverage for women, up to ₹10 lakh, remains in effect. The integration also allows the state to leverage central government funding for the scheme's implementation.

Using GJAY at Government and Empanelled Private Hospitals

The process of availing benefits under GJAY is designed to be straightforward for the beneficiary. At all government hospitals in Odisha, services are provided free of cost to everyone, and no card is typically required to access these universal benefits.

For cashless treatment at empanelled private hospitals (both within and outside Odisha), the process is managed through the GJAY smart card. The beneficiary must present their smart card and Aadhaar card at the hospital's help desk. A hospital representative, known as a 'Swasthya Mitra', will assist the patient.

The hospital verifies the beneficiary's identity and eligibility using their card and biometrics. Once confirmed, the hospital seeks a pre-authorization from the scheme's authority for the required treatment package. The entire treatment is provided on a cashless basis, meaning the patient does not have to pay any money to the hospital for covered procedures. After the patient is discharged, the hospital submits the claim directly to the government for reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new name for the BSKY scheme in Odisha?

The Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) was officially renamed to Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) in July 2024.

What is the total health coverage amount under GJAY?

The scheme provides an annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family. However, women members of an eligible family can avail an additional amount, taking their total coverage limit up to ₹10 lakh per year after the initial family limit is exhausted.

Do I need to apply for a Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana card?

No, there is no manual application process. Enrollment is automatic for all families holding a National Food Security Act (NFSA) or State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) ration card. If you are eligible but have not received a card, you can collect it from a 'Mo Seva Kendra'.

Are pre-existing illnesses covered under the GJAY scheme?

Yes, the scheme covers pre-existing diseases and conditions from day one of enrollment. There is no waiting period for coverage of pre-existing illnesses.

Can I use my Odisha GJAY card for treatment in another state?

Yes. Following the scheme's integration with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in January 2025, beneficiaries can avail cashless treatment at a large network of over 29,000 empanelled hospitals across India.

What are the helpline numbers for the GJAY scheme?

For general information or to file a complaint, you can call the 24x7 toll-free number 104. For issues related to the smart health card, the helpline number is 155369. To provide feedback, you can call 14545.

Is there an official website for the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana?

The official portal for GJAY is noted as gjay.odisha.gov.in, which is intended for services like beneficiary search and hospital lists. However, the research notes indicate this new portal may still be under development. The previous portal was bsky.odisha.gov.in.

Related

• Government hospital OPD guides in Odisha
• How to find an Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) hospital near you
• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY eligibility check
• Government health schemes in India: a guide

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.