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As on 30 June 2026, 20,149 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) are operational nationwide (up from 80 in 2014), offering 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals/devices at 50-80% cheaper than branded prices, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
PMBJP sales reached ₹2,252.19 crore MRP value in FY2025-26 (up from ₹7.29 crore in 2014), and citizens have saved an estimated ₹45,000 crore over the last 12 years compared to branded-medicine prices.
Assam has 202 JAKs as on 30.06.2026, led by Cachar district (40 Kendras); on average, 15 lakh people visit Jan Aushadhi Kendras daily nationwide.
The scheme is implemented by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), which continuously monitors JAK performance; no separate formal health/socio-economic impact assessment has been conducted.
Affordable quality generic medicines and devices; popularise generics; generate entrepreneurship via JAKs
Key: 20,149 Kendras (30.06.2026); medicines 50-80% cheaper than branded; ~15 lakh daily footfall nationwide; monitored by PMBI via centralised IT system, sales review and field inspections
Implementing agency of PMBJP; monitors JAK operation and performance
NPPA/DPCO caps prices across the whole market, while PMBJP is a parallel, direct-retail channel selling generics through Kendras — complementary affordability levers, not the same mechanism
A generic medicine has the same active ingredient, dosage and therapeutic effect as its branded counterpart, sold without the brand's marketing/packaging premium and while meeting the same quality/bioequivalence standards, making it substantially cheaper
Simple Analogy: Like a store-label product next to a branded one on a supermarket shelf — same ingredients, lower price because there is no brand premium
GS Paper 2 > Governance > Health & Welfare Schemes
General Awareness > Government Schemes
Recurring — a flagship scheme regularly updated in Parliament replies
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India — the implementing agency of PMBJP