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India's Generic Medicine Milestone: 17,610 Jan Aushadhi Kendras Open Nationwide

The government has successfully opened over 17,600 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across India as part of its affordable medicine scheme. These centres provide generic drugs at significantly lower prices, helping to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for millions. The scheme has seen tremendous growth, with sales crossing Rs 6,290 crore in the last five years alone. With a target of 25,000 centres by 2027, the initiative continues to expand access to essential medicines nationwide.

Key Points: 17,610 Jan Aushadhi Kendras Opened in India Till November 30

  • Uttar Pradesh leads with 3,731 centres, followed by Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu
  • The scheme has generated sales worth Rs 6,290.23 crore MRP in the last five financial years
  • Funding for the scheme surged from Rs 65 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 284.50 crore in 2024-25
  • Kendras offer incentives to owners, including 10% of monthly purchases up to Rs 10,000
2 min read

17,610 Jan Aushadhi Kendras opened across India till November 30: Govt

Union Minister Anupriya Patel reveals over 17,600 PMBJP kendras are now operational, with sales exceeding Rs 6,290 crore in five years.

"Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme, a total of 17,610 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened across the country as on 30.11.2025 - Anupriya Patel"

New Delhi, Dec 13

A total of 17,610 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened across India till November 30, the government told the Parliament.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, shared the state-wise number of JAKs opened across the country and the district-wise number of JAKs, as well as details of the funds allocated and utilised under the scheme during the last five years.

"Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme, a total of 17,610 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened across the country as on 30.11.2025," Patel said.

"Across the country, total sales of Rs 6,290.23 crore MRP value have been made under the scheme during the last five financial years," she added.

Uttar Pradesh (3,731) accounted for the highest number of JAKs, followed by Kerala (1,685), Karnataka (1,543), and Tamil Nadu (1,483).

The flagship scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), was launched in 2014 with just 80 centres.

The JAKs provide essential medicines more accessible to people and reduce the out-of-pocket expenditure. These government pharmacies provide generic medicines, which are available at lower prices but are equivalent to expensive branded drugs in quality and effectiveness.

From Rs 65 crore funds sanctioned and utilised in 2020-21, Patel noted that in 2024-25 the amount sanctioned for JAKs rose to Rs 284.50 crore. Of these, Rs 182.73 crore was utilised.

Under the PMBJP scheme, an incentive to JAK owners is given at a rate of 10 per cent of monthly purchases, subject to a ceiling of Rs 10,000 per month.

In addition, JAK owners are also provided an incentive of up to Rs 10,000 per month for maintaining the requisite stock of 200 high-demand products.

With a view to further expanding the coverage of the scheme, the Government has set a target to open 25,000 JAKs by March 2027.

JAKs are opened by inviting applications from individual entrepreneurs, non-governmental organisations, societies, trusts, firms, private companies, etc.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great to see the numbers, but the distribution seems uneven. UP has over 3700 while some northeastern states have very few. Hope the expansion to 25,000 focuses on underserved areas. The quality has been consistent in my experience.
R
Rohit P
From 80 to 17,610 centres is no small feat. The monthly incentives for owners are a smart move to ensure sustainability and stock availability. A genuine pro-poor policy.
A
Ananya R
As a medical student, I appreciate the focus on generic medicines. It breaks the myth that cheaper means lower quality. More awareness campaigns are needed so people trust these medicines fully.
D
David E
Impressive growth and utilization of funds. The sales figure of over ₹6,290 crore shows significant public adoption. A model other developing countries could learn from.
K
Kavya N
The incentive structure is good, but in my town, the kendra often runs out of stock for common antibiotics. Hope the new target includes better supply chain management. The concept is brilliant for middle-class families like mine.

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