What is Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?
Ayushman Sahakar Scheme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India. It was launched by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) in 2020. The scheme aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure through cooperatives.
The scheme supports cooperative societies to establish or upgrade hospitals and clinics. It also helps to set up diagnostic centers and medical colleges. Wellness centers and other health-related facilities are also part of this initiative. This is especially true in rural and under serve areas. It is a master plan to have inclusive growth of Rural healthcare system.
Straightforward goal: Use the cooperative model to expand affordable healthcare and create jobs.
Objectives of Ayushman Sahakar Scheme
- Expand healthcare facilities in rural and semi-urban India
- Strengthen cooperative institutions in the health sector
- Support Ayushman Bharat and Universal Health Coverage
- Generate employment for healthcare professionals
- Promote inclusive, community-owned healthcare models
Nodal Agency
- National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
- Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India
Rural-Healthcare-System-krishicenter
Key Features of the Scheme
1. Financial Assistance
- Loans up to ₹10 crore or more (based on project viability)
- Funding for new projects and expansion/modernization
- Long-term and affordable repayment structure
2. Eligible Activities
The scheme covers a wide range of healthcare projects:
- Hospitals (general/specialty)
- Medical & nursing colleges
- Diagnostic centers and labs
- Primary health centers & wellness centers
- Pharmacies and medical stores
- Telemedicine and mobile health units
- Health-related education & training institutions
3. Coverage Area
- Pan-India (priority to rural, tribal, and backward regions)
Eligibility Criteria
Institutions that are eligible to avail the scheme are as:
- Cooperative Societies registered under:
- State Cooperative Societies Act
- Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act
- Cooperative institutions engaged or proposing to engage in:
- Healthcare services
- Medical education
- Health infrastructure development
Ineligible Entities
- Private companies
- Individuals
- NGOs not registered as cooperatives
Financial Pattern
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Type | Loan-based assistance |
| Maximum Assistance | Project-based (often ₹10 crore+) |
| Margin Money | As per NCDC norms |
| Repayment Period | Long-term, flexible |
| Interest Rate | As notified by NCDC |
How Ayushman Sahakar Supports Ayushman Bharat
- Empanels cooperative hospitals under PM-JAY
- Improves access to cashless treatment
- Reduces burden on government hospitals
- Strengthens last-mile healthcare delivery
Benefits of Ayushman Sahakar Scheme
For Cooperative Societies
- Easy access to institutional finance
- Capacity building and professional support
- Long-term sustainability of health projects
For Rural Communities
- Affordable and nearby healthcare
- Better diagnostic and treatment facilities
- Employment opportunities at local level
For the Nation
- Stronger cooperative ecosystem
- Improved health indicators
- Inclusive growth in healthcare sector
Ayushman-Rural-Healthcare-krishicenter
Application Process (Step-by-Step)
- Project Identification
- Identify healthcare need and project type
- Project Report (DPR)
- Prepare a Detailed Project Report including:
- Technical details
- Financial viability
- Social impact
- Prepare a Detailed Project Report including:
- Submission to NCDC
- Apply through the concerned State Government / directly to NCDC
- Appraisal & Approval
- Technical and financial evaluation by NCDC
- Sanction & Disbursement
- Funds released in phases based on progress
Required Documents
To register with Ayushman Sahakar Scheme these are the required documents
- Registration certificate of cooperative society
- Bye-laws of the society
- DPR (Detailed Project Report)
- Financial statements (last 3 years, if existing)
- Land ownership/lease documents
- Statutory approvals (health, pollution, local bodies)
For your knowledge, below is the sample DPR report to review:
Below is a clear, no-nonsense comparison of Ayushman Sahakar Scheme with other major health-related government schemes in India. This is written in an article + table format, suitable for blogs, DPR annexures, or proposal justification.
Comparison of Ayushman Sahakar Scheme with Other Health Schemes
Why this comparison matters
Many people confuse healthcare financing schemes with health insurance or service delivery schemes. In reality, each scheme has a different role. Ayushman Sahakar stands out because it focuses on building health infrastructure through cooperatives, not just paying hospital bills.
1. Ayushman Sahakar Scheme vs Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY
| Aspect | Ayushman Sahakar Scheme | Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Infrastructure & project financing | Health insurance scheme |
| Implementing Agency | NCDC (Ministry of Cooperation) | NHM / State Health Agencies |
| Target | Cooperative societies | Poor & vulnerable families |
| Financial Support | Loan for hospitals & facilities | Cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh |
| Beneficiary | Cooperatives (indirectly public) | Individuals/families |
| Focus | Creation/expansion of hospitals | Treatment & hospitalization |
| Grant/Loan | Loan | Insurance coverage |
PM-JAY pays for treatment.
Ayushman Sahakar creates the hospital where treatment happens.
2. Ayushman Sahakar Scheme vs National Health Mission (NHM)
| Aspect | Ayushman Sahakar | National Health Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Loan-based support | Centrally Sponsored Scheme |
| Implementing Body | NCDC | MoHFW + State Govts |
| Eligible Entity | Cooperative societies | Government health system |
| Funding Nature | Repayable loan | Grant-based |
| Infrastructure Creation | Yes (via cooperatives) | Yes (government-owned) |
| Private/Co-op Role | Strong | Limited |
NHM strengthens government facilities.
Ayushman Sahakar strengthens cooperative-run facilities.
3. Ayushman Sahakar Scheme vs PM Ayushman Infrastructure Mission (PM-AIM)
| Aspect | Ayushman Sahakar | PM-AIM |
|---|---|---|
| Objective | Cooperative healthcare infrastructure | Public health infrastructure |
| Beneficiary | Cooperatives | State governments |
| Funding | Loan | Grant |
| Focus Areas | Hospitals, diagnostics, education | Labs, surveillance, critical care |
| Ownership | Cooperative-owned | Government-owned |
PM-AIM is for public health systems.
Ayushman Sahakar is for community-owned cooperative systems.
4. Ayushman Sahakar Scheme vs State Health Infrastructure Schemes
| Aspect | Ayushman Sahakar | State Health Schemes |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Pan-India | State-specific |
| Uniformity | Standard NCDC norms | Varies by state |
| Beneficiary | Cooperatives | Govt/PPP/private |
| Funding | Institutional loan | Grant / PPP / subsidy |
| Scalability | High | Medium |
Ayushman Sahakar offers consistency and scalability across states.
5. Ayushman Sahakar Scheme vs Private Bank Loans for Hospitals
| Aspect | Ayushman Sahakar | Bank Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Interest Structure | Cooperative-friendly | Commercial |
| Repayment Flexibility | Higher | Limited |
| Sector Focus | Healthcare cooperatives | Profit-driven |
| Handholding | Yes (NCDC) | No |
| Social Objective | High | Low |
Ayushman Sahakar is development-oriented, not purely profit-oriented.
Overall Positioning of Ayushman Sahakar Scheme
What it is:
- A health infrastructure financing scheme
- Specifically designed for cooperative societies
- Long-term, institution-building approach
What it is NOT:
- Not a health insurance scheme
- Not a direct subsidy or grant
- Not meant for individuals or private companies
One-Line Comparison Summary
To understand the objectives of various healthcare schemes in one line
- PM-JAY → Pays for treatment
- NHM → Strengthens government healthcare
- PM-AIM → Builds public health infrastructure
- Ayushman Sahakar → Builds cooperative healthcare institutions
Challenges & Limitations (Reality Check)
- Loan-based scheme (not a grant)
- Strong DPR and repayment capacity required
- Better suited for organized cooperatives, not small informal groups
Conclusion
Ayushman Sahakar Scheme is a serious opportunity, not a subsidy gimmick. Ayushman Sahakar fills a critical gap in India’s healthcare ecosystem. While most schemes focus on who gets treated, this scheme focuses on where treatment is delivered, using the cooperative model to ensure affordability, ownership, and sustainability.
For well-managed cooperative societies, it enables large-scale healthcare projects with institutional backing. It directly supports rural health infrastructure, aligns with Ayushman Bharat, and strengthens the cooperative movement in healthcare.
KrishiCenter 
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