Fixed monthly incentive for ASHA workers hiked to ₹3,500: Health Ministry

New Delhi: The Central government has increased the fixed monthly incentive for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) from ₹2,000 to ₹3,500, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav informed the Lok Sabha in response to a question by Kollam MP N K Premachandran.

The decision was approved during the 9th meeting of the Mission Steering Group (MSG) held on March 4, 2025. ASHAs will continue to receive performance-based incentives for a range of health-related activities under national programmes.

In addition to the hike, ASHAs are also eligible for Team-Based Incentives (TBIs) of up to ₹1,000 per month under the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative. The one-time recognition amount awarded after completing 10 years of service has also been increased from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000.

ASHAs are entitled to several non-monetary benefits, including uniforms, ID cards, cycles, mobile phones, drug kits, and restrooms. They are also covered under multiple central social security schemes:

• PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana: ₹2 lakh (in case of death)
• PM Suraksha Bima Yojana: ₹2 lakh (accidental death or permanent disability)
• PM Shram Yogi Maan Dhan: ₹3,000 monthly pension after the age of 60

Additionally, ASHAs and their families are covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which offers annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh.

While the Centre provides financial and technical support, state governments are free to offer additional incentives. Kerala, for example, pays ASHA workers ₹7,000 per month from state funds, among the highest in the country. The Ministry clarified that administrative and service-related matters, including further wage hikes, fall primarily under the jurisdiction of state governments.

In Kerala, ASHA workers have been staging protests demanding higher honorarium, timely payments, and recognition as full-time government employees.