The Ayushman Sahakar Scheme is a flagship initiative of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) under the Ministry of Cooperation, aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure through the cooperative model. The scheme aligns with the objectives of the National Health Policy 2017 and promotes affordable, holistic, and community-driven healthcare services across the country.
The information regarding the scheme was shared by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
About National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
The NCDC is a statutory apex organization established under an Act of Parliament in 1963. It functions to promote and finance cooperative societies engaged in production, processing, marketing, storage, and services across various sectors. Operating under the Ministry of Cooperation, NCDC extends financial assistance to cooperatives at Primary, District, Apex, and Multi-State levels.
Under its mandate to support the healthcare sector, NCDC notified the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme to facilitate financial assistance to eligible cooperative societies operating in hospital, healthcare, and health education sectors.
Objectives of Ayushman Sahakar Scheme
The scheme has been designed with multiple objectives:
To promote affordable and holistic healthcare services through cooperative hospitals and health institutions
To support AYUSH-based healthcare facilities
To assist cooperatives in meeting the goals of the National Health Policy
To encourage participation in the National Digital Health Mission
To enable cooperatives to offer comprehensive healthcare services, including insurance and health education
By strengthening cooperative participation, the scheme promotes community ownership, accountability, and inclusive healthcare delivery.
Activities Covered Under the Scheme
The scheme supports a wide range of infrastructure and service-related activities, including:
- Creation, modernization, expansion, renovation, and repair of healthcare infrastructure
- Establishment of Hospitals, Medical and AYUSH Colleges, Dental, Nursing, Pharmacy, Paramedical and
- Physiotherapy institutions
- Development of Yoga Wellness Centres, Ayurveda, Allopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy centres
- Facilities for elderly care, palliative care, mental healthcare, and disability services
- Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Centres
- Mobile Clinics and Telemedicine services
- Diagnostic centres, laboratories, blood banks, ophthalmic and dental care centres
- AYUSH pharmaceutical manufacturing units and drug testing laboratories
- Maternal and child healthcare services
- Digital health infrastructure and ICT platforms
- Health insurance initiatives accredited by IRDA
The scheme also provides support for margin money and working capital for day-to-day operations.
Any Cooperative Society registered under State Cooperative Societies Act or Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, with appropriate provisions in its bye-laws to undertake hospital, healthcare, or health education services, is eligible for assistance.
Financial assistance may be provided either through State Governments/UT Administrations or directly to societies meeting NCDC’s direct funding criteria.
Project Cost and Loan Terms
Project cost is determined as per actual requirements.
Loan tenure can extend up to 8 years, including a moratorium of 1–2 years on principal repayment, depending on project viability.
As an incentive, cooperatives with majority women members are eligible for a 1% concessional interest rate on term loans, provided timely repayments are made.
To secure the loan, cooperatives may offer:
- Mortgage of assets up to 1.5 times the loan value
- State or Central Government guarantee
- Pledge of FDRs up to 1.2 times the loan value
- Guarantees from Central PSUs, statutory bodies, CSR foundations
- Bank guarantees
- Hypothecation of government securities
Subsidy Convergence
NCDC loans can be dovetailed with subsidy, grant, Viability Gap Funding (VGF), or other financial mechanisms from the Government of India, State Governments, or other funding agencies.
Funding Pattern
Infrastructure projects may receive:
Up to 90% loan support through State Governments
Up to 70% loan support under direct funding
Share capital contribution by State Governments where applicable
Margin money and working capital assistance are provided based on project assessment and requirement.
Promoting Cooperative Healthcare Ecosystem
The Ayushman Sahakar Scheme plays a significant role in strengthening India’s healthcare infrastructure through the cooperative model. By enabling access to affordable finance, encouraging digital health integration, and supporting AYUSH and modern healthcare services, the scheme contributes to building an inclusive and community-driven healthcare system.
