When India became independent in 1947, our healthcare system was facing enormous challenges — high infant mortality, frequent epidemics, and limited access to doctors or hospitals.
Fast forward to today, and the story is very different. We’ve made huge strides in public health, access to care, and disease control.
If I had to pick just three standout achievements, they would be: the dramatic increase in life expectancy, the launch of Ayushman Bharat, and the eradication of some of history’s deadliest infectious diseases.

1. Life Expectancy — From 40 Years to Over 70 Years

Back in 1947, the average Indian lived just 40 years.
Why so low? Poor sanitation, rampant infectious diseases, and a lack of healthcare infrastructure meant many lives were cut short, especially children’s. Today, we’re living, on average, over 70 years (World Bank, 2023). This didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of:

• Large-scale vaccination drives (like the Universal Immunisation Programme)
• Better maternal and child care services
• Improved nutrition and sanitation (thank you, Swachh Bharat)
• Public health campaigns that reached the remotest villages

It’s one of the most powerful indicators of how far we’ve come as a nation.

2. Ayushman Bharat — Healthcare Security for Half a Billion People

Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the world’s largest government-funded health insurance program.
Think about it — over 500 million Indians are eligible for up to ₹5 lakh per family per year in cashless hospital care, across a nationwide network of empanelled hospitals. It’s not just about insurance payouts. Ayushman Bharat also links with Health and Wellness Centres to deliver preventive care right at the community level. For millions of families, it’s the difference between getting timely treatment and falling into medical debt.

3. Eradication of Deadly Diseases

If you lived in India in the 1960s or 70s, smallpox, polio, and guinea worm disease were real threats.
Through massive public health efforts, we achieved what once seemed impossible:

• Smallpox: Gone by 1977 — ahead of the global eradication
• Polio: Officially wiped out by 2014
• Guinea Worm Disease: Eradicated in 2000

These victories weren’t just medical; they were logistical, social, and deeply human triumphs.

Conclusion
India’s healthcare journey since independence has been nothing short of remarkable. We’ve added decades to our lives, created the largest safety net for hospital care in the world, and beaten diseases that once devastated communities.

As we move toward 2047 — 100 years of independence — our next big challenges will be preventing lifestyle diseases, ensuring equitable access, and embracing digital health at scale. But if the last 78 years are any indication, we have every reason to believe we’ll get there.