Expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

A total of 15,057 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened across India under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) as of February 28, 2025. This information was shared by Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. The scheme ensures the availability of affordable and quality generic medicines across the country.

Overview of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

The PMBJP scheme was launched to provide high-quality, affordable generic medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs). These pharmacies offer medicines at a much lower price compared to branded alternatives, making healthcare accessible to all, especially the economically weaker sections.

Current Status of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in India

As per the latest data, 15,057 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been established across various states and union territories (UTs). The state-wise and UT-wise distribution of JAKs shows Uttar Pradesh leading with 2,658 kendras, followed by Kerala (1,528), Karnataka (1,425), and Tamil Nadu (1,363).

Ensuring Smooth Supply and Distribution of Medicines

The government has implemented a well-structured supply chain management system to ensure the uninterrupted availability of medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras. This system includes:

One central warehouse in Gurugram.
Four regional warehouses in Bengaluru, Guwahati, Chennai, and Surat.
36 distributors across India to strengthen supply networks.
End-to-end IT-enabled supply chain system to manage stock efficiently.
Regular monitoring of 400 fast-moving medicines to ensure availability.
A minimum stocking mandate for 200 essential medicines, including the top 100 best-selling drugs from JAKs and 100 fast-selling medicines in the market.
Incentive schemes for JAK owners to maintain stock levels.

Measures to Maintain Medicine Quality at JAKs

To ensure the quality and safety of medicines, the government follows strict protocols:

Procurement only from WHO-GMP-certified manufacturers.
Each batch undergoes rigorous quality testing at NABL-accredited laboratories before being dispatched to JAKs.
Regular quality audits by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI).
Strict regulatory frameworks to prevent the sale of substandard medicines.

Entrepreneurship Model of Jan Aushadhi Kendras

JAKs operate on an entrepreneurship model, where individual entrepreneurs decide the actual stocking of products based on local demand. This model ensures that essential medicines are available where needed the most.

State and UT-Wise Distribution of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (As of February 28, 2025)

S. No.	State/UT	No. of JAKs Opened
1	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	9
2	Andhra Pradesh	275
3	Arunachal Pradesh	34
4	Assam	170
5	Bihar	812
6	Chandigarh	11
7	Chhattisgarh	278
8	Delhi	492
9	Goa	15
10	Gujarat	760
11	Haryana	408
12	Himachal Pradesh	71
13	Jammu & Kashmir	318
14	Jharkhand	148
15	Karnataka	1,425
16	Kerala	1,528
17	Ladakh	2
18	Lakshadweep	1
19	Madhya Pradesh	545
20	Maharashtra	708
21	Manipur	54
22	Meghalaya	25
23	Mizoram	15
24	Nagaland	22
25	Odisha	682
26	Puducherry	33
27	Punjab	489
28	Rajasthan	486
29	Sikkim	11
30	Tamil Nadu	1,363
31	Telangana	199
32	Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu	39
33	Tripura	28
34	Uttar Pradesh	2,658
35	Uttarakhand	313
36	West Bengal	630

Summary of the News

Aspect	Details
Scheme Name	Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
Total Jan Aushadhi Kendras Opened	15,057 (as of February 28, 2025)
Announced by	Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel
Main Objective	Providing affordable, quality generic medicines to the public
Supply Chain System	Central warehouse (Gurugram), 4 regional warehouses, 36 distributors
Quality Control Measures	WHO-GMP-certified suppliers, NABL-accredited lab testing, quality audits
Incentives for JAKs	Stocking mandate for 200 medicines, financial benefits for maintaining inventory
State with Most JAKs	Uttar Pradesh (2,658)
Other Leading States	Kerala (1,528), Karnataka (1,425), Tamil Nadu (1,363)
Entrepreneurship Model	JAK owners manage stocking based on local demand

This expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras marks a significant step towards affordable healthcare, ensuring that low-cost medicines reach the remotest corners of India.

Sumit Arora

As a team lead and current affairs writer at Adda247, I am responsible for researching and producing engaging, informative content designed to assist candidates in preparing for national and state-level competitive government exams. I specialize in crafting insightful articles that keep aspirants updated on the latest trends and developments in current affairs. With a strong emphasis on educational excellence, my goal is to equip readers with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in their exams. Through well-researched and thoughtfully written content, I strive to guide and support candidates on their journey to success.