India public health and digital welfare expansion

India continues to expand its digital welfare and public health infrastructure. Building on the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to citizens aged 70 and above, regional welfare measures have also progressed. In Delhi, the state government has doubled the monthly incentive for 6,690 ASHA workers from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000. Furthermore, the Delhi Jal Board has launched a cashless medical facility for approximately 50,000 pensioners and their families to facilitate easier access to healthcare.

On the economic and financial fronts, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has proposed expanding the Index of Services Production (ISP). The proposal seeks to include education, human health and residential care, and public administration and defence. This expansion would add sectors representing nearly 21 per cent of services Gross Value Added (GVA), potentially increasing total index coverage from 60 per cent to approximately 78.4 per cent.

To deepen financial inclusion, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) has urged both public and private sector banks to enhance digital outreach and prioritize end-to-end digital loan processing. During a review, DFS Secretary Sanjay Lohiya emphasized the necessity for increased private bank participation in government schemes and improved public awareness regarding insurance claim eligibility.