For Prelims: Tertiary Healthcare, OPD (Outpatient Department), PMSSY (Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana), Full form of PMSSY, Nodal Ministry, Total new AIIMS approved, Fully functional new AIIMS, Cumulative OPD consultations
For Mains: PMSSY, regional imbalance in healthcare, tertiary care access, medical education expansion, health infrastructure
Source:
PIB
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- 22 new AIIMS approved under PMSSY, 18 fully functional.
- Cumulative OPD consultations at new AIIMS crossed 6 crore by October 2026.
- OPD at new AIIMS rose from 50.03 lakh (2021-22) to 144.96 lakh (2025-26).
- PMSSY stands for Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.
- The nodal ministry for PMSSY is the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Why in the news?
The 22 new AIIMS approved under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) have collectively recorded over 6 crore OPD consultations from 2021-22 to October 2026. Of these, 18 are fully functional, addressing regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare and expanding medical education and research.
Summary
- 22 new AIIMS approved under PMSSY; 18 fully functional institutions providing OPD, IPD, emergency, trauma, diagnostics, medical education and research services.
- OPD consultations rose from 50.03 lakh (2021-22) to 144.96 lakh (2025-26), a nearly threefold increase in five years.
- The initiative aims to address regional disparities in affordable and reliable tertiary healthcare and strengthen India's medical education and research ecosystem.
Background
The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) was launched to correct regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare. Under it, 22 new AIIMS were approved in phases. The initiative aims to provide affordable, reliable specialised care and strengthen the medical education and research ecosystem in underserved areas.
Key Analysis and Impact
The nearly threefold rise in OPD consultations from 50.03 lakh (2021-22) to 144.96 lakh (2025-26) shows that these new AIIMS are effectively bridging the gap in tertiary healthcare access. With 18 of 22 institutions fully functional, they now provide comprehensive services including OPD, IPD, emergency, trauma care and diagnostics. This expansion also supports medical education, with increased UG, PG and nursing seats, and promotes advanced clinical research.
Way Forward
The remaining 4 new AIIMS need to be made fully functional to realise the complete vision of PMSSY. Continued investment in infrastructure, faculty recruitment and patient outreach will be essential to sustain and further increase utilisation. These institutions will also play a key role in India's goal of achieving universal health coverage and reducing out-of-pocket expenditure on specialised care.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Tertiary Healthcare
- The highest level of healthcare, involving specialised consultative care, usually provided in hospitals with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities, often for inpatients and on referral from primary and secondary care.
- OPD (Outpatient Department)
- The section of a hospital where patients receive medical advice, diagnosis and treatment without being admitted for an overnight stay.
- PMSSY (Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana)
- A central sector scheme launched in 2003 to correct regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare by establishing new AIIMS and upgrading existing government medical colleges.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: 6 crore cumulative OPD consultations at new AIIMS (2021-22 to Oct 2026); 22 approved, 18 functional
- Nodal Body: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (for PMSSY and AIIMS)
- Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may swap 'Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana' with 'Ayushman Bharat' or call it a centrally sponsored scheme; PMSSY is a central sector scheme. Also, 22 is the total approved new AIIMS, not the number functional (18).
Write these in mains answers
- PMSSY, regional imbalance in healthcare, tertiary care access, medical education expansion, health infrastructure
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The government set up 22 new AIIMS under a scheme called PMSSY to make specialised hospital care available in regions that lacked it. 18 of these are now fully running. In the last 5 years, over 6 crore patients have visited their outpatient departments, showing people are using these hospitals more and more each year.
- 22 new AIIMS approved under PMSSY, 18 fully functional.
- Cumulative OPD consultations at new AIIMS crossed 6 crore by October 2026.
- OPD at new AIIMS rose from 50.03 lakh (2021-22) to 144.96 lakh (2025-26).
- PMSSY stands for Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.
- The nodal ministry for PMSSY is the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Governance: Health policy and schemes
- Society: Health infrastructure
Related concepts: Tertiary Healthcare, OPD (Outpatient Department), PMSSY (Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana)
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which ministry is the nodal ministry for the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)?
Explanation: PMSSY is a central sector scheme under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It aims to correct regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare by establishing new AIIMS and upgrading medical colleges.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the new AIIMS under PMSSY:
- 1.A total of 22 new AIIMS have been approved under PMSSY.
- 2.All 22 new AIIMS are fully functional as of October 2026.
- 3.The cumulative OPD consultations at these AIIMS crossed 6 crore between 2021-22 and October 2026.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: 22 new AIIMS have been approved under PMSSY. Statement 2 is incorrect: only 18 of the 22 are fully functional. Statement 3 is correct: OPD consultations crossed 6 crore cumulatively from 2021-22 to October 2026. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
What was the number of OPD consultations recorded at the new AIIMS in the year 2025-26?
Explanation: OPD consultations increased from 50.03 lakh in 2021-22 to 144.96 lakh in 2025-26. 100.52 lakh was the figure for 2023-24 and 129.98 lakh for 2024-25.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)?
Explanation: PMSSY was launched to address disparities in access to affordable and reliable tertiary healthcare by establishing new AIIMS and upgrading existing medical colleges. Health insurance is covered under Ayushman Bharat, generic medicines under Jan Aushadhi, and digitisation under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many new AIIMS have been approved under PMSSY?
22 new AIIMS have been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), of which 18 are fully functional.
2. What is the cumulative OPD consultation figure at the new AIIMS?
The new AIIMS have collectively recorded over 6 crore OPD consultations from 2021-22 to 31st October 2026.
3. What is the full form of PMSSY?
PMSSY stands for Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.
4. Which ministry is responsible for PMSSY and the new AIIMS?
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is the nodal ministry for PMSSY and the new AIIMS.
All sources
- Original10 November 2026 · Read story
