India’s Healthcare Revolution: Government Targets 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 2027
The Indian government, in a bold effort to entrench quality healthcare for all, has set out to establish a massive target of 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (establishments) by March 31, 2027, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). In initiating this ambitious scheme, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi hopes to increase access to cheap, high-quality generic medicines to millions, especially the poor and marginalized, as India’s health care landscape continues to improve. The officials of the PMBJP have proudly celebrated this pursuit, with 16,912 already designated Jan Aushadhi Kendras as of June 2025. The design and ambition of this plan shows commitment to provide equity in healthcare and to provide some potential economic relief for the communities, with aspirations of influencing healthier, more equitable health care across India.
The Indian government, in a bold effort to entrench quality healthcare for all, has set out to establish a massive target of 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (establishments) by March 31, 2027, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). In initiating this ambitious scheme, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi hopes to increase access to cheap, high-quality generic medicines to millions, especially the poor and marginalized, as India’s health care landscape continues to improve. The officials of the PMBJP have proudly celebrated this pursuit, with 16,912 already designated Jan Aushadhi Kendras as of June 2025. The design and ambition of this plan shows commitment to provide equity in healthcare and to provide some potential economic relief for the communities, with aspirations of influencing healthier, more equitable health care across India.
The expansion to 25,000 Kendras, with an interim goal of 20,000 by March 2026, reflects the government’s focus on reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, which push 3-7% of Indian households below the poverty line annually. Southern states like Kerala (1,525 Kendras), Karnataka (1,417), and Tamil Nadu (1,357) lead the charge, accounting for over 20% of existing outlets, while efforts are underway to reach tribal, rural, and underserved areas. The scheme’s franchise-like model encourages participation from entrepreneurs, NGOs, and trusts, ensuring a minimum 1-km distance between Kendras for equitable distribution.
In addition to affordability, the PMBJP signifies a cultural change, casting doubt on the perception of generics as lesser forms of medication. They are integrated into public awareness campaigns, like the annual Jan Aushadhi Diwas on March 7, with an emphasis that “they work”, and the Union Health Minister JP Nadda made a point of repeating the slogan, “Achi Bhi, Sasti Bhi,” or, High Quality and Affordable Too. The PMBJP also goes beyond the marketplace in India, with the idea of establishing a Kendra outside of India, with the first on-going Kendra inaugurated in Mauritius, thus portraying India’s ability to lead in the area of affordable health provision. It is important to the government to also enhance the supply chain through advanced IT systems and regional warehousing located at Gurugram, Bengaluru, Chennai, Surat, and Guwahati, as the recent past showed challenges in getting adequate supplies due issues like drug shortages.
With India’s advancement towards universal health coverage with Ayushman Bharat, the Jan Aushadhi Kendras serve as a strong focal point of the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 – “Seva, Sushasan & Gareeb Kalyan”. This market expansion and greater access for all is really about much more than just coverage – it’s putting access to life-saving medicines in the hands of every Indian citizen while also affording them dignity, and building a healthier nation. This can be all part of the unique opportunity of Jan Aushadhi and we want you to pay attention and explore what these kendras can do to change lives, one affordable prescription at a time.
