Abstract  Background  India continues to face persistent challenges in ensuring affordable and equitable healthcare, particularly in rural areas, where out-of-pocket expenditures remain high. The Indian Government’s Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is a flagship initiative toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), aiming to provide financial protection through cashless secondary and tertiary care. However, awareness, enrolment, and utilisation…