Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (Generic Medicines)
Current Affairs & Government Schemes › Health and Nutrition Schemes · Topic 4.10
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a Central Sector campaign of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices through dedicated Jan Aushadhi Kendras. It began in November 2008 as the Jan Aushadhi Campaign and was relaunched as PMBJP in 2016. The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementing agency. Medicines are priced at 50 to 80 per cent below branded market rates. About 20,149 Kendras were operational on 30 June 2026, as reported, against a target of 25,000 by March 2027.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Current Affairs & Government Schemes · Health and Nutrition Schemes
At a Glance
- Ministry Chemicals and Fertilizers
- Department Pharmaceuticals
- Agency BPPI
- Relaunched 2016
- Target 25,000 Kendras by March 2027
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs and Government Schemes: Health and Nutrition Schemes
Where Does It Fit?
This is the tenth topic of the macro on health and nutrition. It lowers the cost of medicines and complements the insurance cover for hospital care that is covered earlier in the macro. Previous topic: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Next topic: National TB Elimination Programme.
How Does the Jan Aushadhi Scheme Work?
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, abbreviated PMBJP, also called the Jan Aushadhi scheme |
| Ministry and department | Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and not the Health Ministry |
| Implementing agency | Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), set up under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, which procures and supplies medicines |
| Type | A Central Sector scheme that supports Kendra owners with start-up incentives and a trade margin |
| Origin | Jan Aushadhi Campaign launched in November 2008, renamed Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana in 2015 and then PMBJP in November 2016 |
| Product basket | Over 2,000 medicines and several hundred surgical and consumable items, as reported, covering major therapeutic groups |
| Price benefit | Generic medicines priced at 50 to 80 per cent lower than branded equivalents, as stated by the Ministry |
Who Can Open a Kendra and What Else Is on Offer?
- Who can open: individual entrepreneurs, pharmacists, doctors, NGOs, charitable societies, trusts, self-help groups and state agencies can apply for a Jan Aushadhi Kendra, with a registered pharmacist
- Special categories: women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, divyang applicants and those in the north-eastern, hilly and island regions get extra incentives
- Quality assurance: every batch of medicine is tested at laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories before it is sent for sale
- Jan Aushadhi Suvidha: an oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkin sold at Re 1 per pad at the Kendras
- Jan Aushadhi Sugam: a mobile application to locate Kendras, search generic medicines and compare prices
- Jan Aushadhi Diwas: observed on 7 March every year, with Jan Aushadhi Saptah, to raise awareness among people and doctors
- Supply chain: BPPI runs a central warehouse and regional depots to supply Kendras
- Digital reach: the Kendras are also integrated with online orders and with the Ayushman Arogya Mandir network in several states, as in Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)
What Else Should You Remember?
- Rationale: out-of-pocket spending on medicines is a major part of household health costs in India and pushes many families into poverty
- Generic medicine: a generic medicine has the same active ingredient, dose and effect as the branded version but is sold under its salt name and costs less
- Growth in Kendras: the count rose from about 80 in 2014 to over 17,000 by late 2025 and about 20,149 by 30 June 2026, as reported by the Government
- Target shift: the Government earlier aimed at 25,000 Kendras by March 2026 and has now set March 2027 as the date, as reported
- Savings claim: the Ministry states that citizens save thousands of crores a year, but this figure is a Government estimate based on market price comparison
- Doctors and prescription: the National Medical Commission has asked doctors to prescribe generic names, and compliance has been uneven
- Trade margin: Kendra owners receive a margin on the maximum retail price, plus monthly incentives based on sales, as per current scheme rules
- Challenges: stock-outs, unprofitable Kendras in poor locations, limited range of medicines and public doubts about quality of generics
- Pharmaceutical context: India is called the pharmacy of the developing world and is the largest supplier of generics by volume, which helps the scheme source medicines
- Regulatory links: the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority caps the price of scheduled medicines under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, which works alongside the Jan Aushadhi network
- Link to PM-JAY: PM-JAY covers hospital stays, while the Jan Aushadhi network lowers costs of outpatient medicines, as in Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
- Link to NHM: public hospitals give free drugs under the Health Mission, which makes generics at Kendras a complement, as in National Health Mission (NHM)
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Ministry: Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
- Agency: BPPI
- Dates: Jan Aushadhi Diwas on 7 March, campaign started in 2008, PMBJP name in 2016
- Price: 50 to 80 per cent cheaper
- Traps: PMBJP is not run by the Health Ministry, and Jan Aushadhi Suvidha is a sanitary pad at Re 1
As an analytical point, generics can cut medicine costs sharply, but trust in quality and a viable business model for Kendra owners decide success. Doctor prescribing practices and supply reliability matter as much as the number of outlets.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Facts Ministry, agency, numbers
- Policy Access to medicines
- Mains Quality and viability
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the national programme against tuberculosis. Next topic: National TB Elimination Programme.
Key People and Terms
- PMBJP Generic medicine scheme
- BPPI Implementing agency
- Generic Salt-name medicine
- JAK Jan Aushadhi Kendra
- NABL Lab accreditation body
- MRP Maximum retail price
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Relaunched: 2016 as PMBJP.
- Agency: BPPI.
- Day: 7 March, Jan Aushadhi Diwas.
- Target: 25,000 Kendras by March 2027.
- Pad: Re 1, Suvidha.
Do Not Confuse With
- PMBJP and PM-JAY Cheap generic medicines versus hospital insurance
- PMBJP and Free Drugs Initiative Paid low-cost outlets versus free drugs in public facilities
- Jan Aushadhi Kendra and Amrit pharmacy Different retail schemes for low-cost medicines, so read the question
Memory Hook
Same salt, lower price, one Kendra at a time.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about access to medicines and trust in generics. These points give a frame.
- Gains Lower cost, wider reach
- Gaps Quality perception, stock
- Way Prescribe generics and fix supply
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss how the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana can reduce out-of-pocket health spending in India and the obstacles it faces.”
How to Answer
- Intro Link medicine costs and out-of-pocket spending.
- Role Generics, Kendras, price cut.
- Obstacles Quality trust, stock, viability.
- Way Generic prescribing, supply chain, awareness.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana?
PMBJP is a Central Sector campaign of the Department of Pharmaceuticals that provides quality generic medicines at low prices through Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Begun in November 2008 and relaunched as PMBJP in 2016, it sells medicines at about 50 to 80 per cent below branded prices.
Which ministry runs PMBJP?
PMBJP is run by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, not the Health Ministry. The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India, a body set up under the Department, procures medicines, tests them in accredited laboratories and supplies the Kendras.
Who can open a Jan Aushadhi Kendra?
Individuals, pharmacists, doctors, NGOs, trusts, self-help groups and state agencies can apply, provided a registered pharmacist runs the outlet. Women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, divyang applicants and those in north-eastern and hilly areas receive additional incentives under the scheme's guidelines.
How many Jan Aushadhi Kendras are there?
Government replies reported about 20,149 operational Kendras on 30 June 2026, up from about 17,600 in November 2025. The Government has set a target of 25,000 Kendras by March 2027, moved from the earlier date of March 2026, so the count keeps changing.
What is Jan Aushadhi Diwas?
Jan Aushadhi Diwas is observed every year on 7 March to raise public awareness about generic medicines and the Jan Aushadhi scheme. It is held with a week of events, called Jan Aushadhi Saptah, with health camps and awareness programmes run by Kendras, BPPI and local administrations.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 PMBJP is run by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
It falls under Chemicals and Fertilizers.
2 The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India is the implementing agency of PMBJP.
It procures and supplies medicines.
3 PMBJP is a scheme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
It is under Chemicals and Fertilizers.
4 Jan Aushadhi Diwas is observed on 7 March.
It marks the scheme each year.
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