Target
of Health Insurance Coverage for All by 2033: Nirmala Sitharaman
¨ Nirmala Sitharaman stated
that the goal is to provide health insurance coverage to everyone by 2033.
¨
Health insurance has been
identified as a priority area by the government, with a target set to achieve
universal coverage for all citizens by 2033.
¨
This objective was stated
by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during Question Hour in the Rajya
Sabha while responding to queries related to insurance coverage.
¨
A major rural outreach
initiative has been undertaken under which 25,000 gram panchayats will be
covered to expand health insurance access across the country.
¨
It was further emphasized
that multiple policy measures are being implemented to enhance insurance
penetration, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
¨
The Insurance Regulatory
and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has notified rules in 2024 under
which the gram panchayat is treated as the basic unit for measuring insurance
coverage and rural obligations.
¨
India’s insurance
penetration remains low compared to global standards, with per capita insurance
premium at 97 dollars against the global average of 943 dollars.
¨ The health insurance
sector has shown rapid expansion, recording ₹1,17,505 crore in 2024–25 and
covering around 58 crore lives under various schemes.
¨ Expansion of coverage is being supported by both public and private insurers, along with government-backed insurance companies.
¨ Social security schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana provide life insurance cover of ₹2 lakh at an annual premium of ₹436, with 26.79 crore cumulative enrolments recorded so far.
