SRINAGAR: The Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme for persons with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and multiple disabilities covered 71,537 beneficiaries across India in 2025-26, the Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha.
Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar said the scheme is being implemented nationwide and covered 87,746 beneficiaries in 2023-24 and 52,677 in 2024-25.
The figures were provided in a written statement laid before the Rajya Sabha in response to Starred Question No. 41 asked by Parmar Jashvantsinh Salamsinh on July 22.
The government said Rs 20.32 crore was allocated, released and utilised under the scheme during 2025-26. In 2024-25, Rs 13.22 crore was allocated, released and utilised, while the corresponding amount in 2023-24 was Rs 13.86 crore.
The data shows that beneficiary coverage declined by nearly 40 per cent in 2024-25 compared with the previous year, before rising by around 36 per cent in 2025-26.
The Centre, however, said there was currently no proposal under consideration to expand the scheme’s coverage, include additional categories of disabilities or introduce cashless treatment facilities.
On efforts to improve awareness and enrolment, the government said the National Trust is conducting awareness programmes through its registered organisations in gram panchayats and rural areas.
State Nodal Agency Centres and scheme holders of various National Trust programmes are also involved in creating awareness about Niramaya, it said.
The Department’s National Institutes and Composite Regional Centres are facilitating enrolment and improving accessibility for eligible beneficiaries, according to the government.
Parents and guardians of persons with disabilities can also enrol beneficiaries directly through the National Trust’s website, the Centre said.
The Niramaya scheme provides health insurance coverage to eligible persons with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and multiple disabilities and is implemented across the country.
