Integration of Caste Census Databases

On February 14, 2022, the National Health Authority (NHA) has started an exercise to integrate beneficiary database under several schemes for upgrading its own database in a bid to implement scheme in a better manner.

Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)

• AB-PMJAY provides health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year. Insurance is provided for secondary and tertiary care-related hospitalizations.
• Under the scheme, 10.74 crore beneficiary families have been identified, from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 on the basis of 6 deprivation and 11 occupational criteria respectively in rural and urban areas.
• Majority of beneficiaries from SECC, 2011 are also eligible for benefits under National Food Security Portal (NFSA).

Integration of different database with NFSA

• The NHA is working on integrating SECC 2011 beneficiary database with NFSA. It will enable beneficiaries to seek information on their entitlement under AB PM-JAY using ration card number.
• It is also working on a proposal to use Ration Shops or Fair Price Shops for providing information related to scheme as well as entitlement under the scheme to eligible beneficiaries.
• Integration will provide an additional avenue to beneficiaries along with existing UTI-ITSL, Common Service Centre, etc. for card creation.
• It will also make the beneficiary identification process very convenient.