Sri Vijaya Puram, July 23: The monthly incentive for Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the National Health Mission (NHM) has been increased from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 with retrospective effect from April 1, 2026, following approval by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The revised incentive will benefit all 432 ASHA workers serving across the islands under the National Health Mission. The approval was conveyed by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda through a D.O. letter dated July 15, 2026, in response to a representation submitted by Andaman and Nicobar Islands MP Bishnu Pada Ray on March 13, 2026.
According to the MP, the issue was raised before the State Health Mission Governing Body, which subsequently recommended enhancement of the monthly NHM incentive to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Acting on the recommendation, the Ministry approved the increase from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per month with effect from April 1, 2026.
With the revision, each ASHA worker in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will receive ₹5,000 per month as the NHM incentive from the Government of India. This will be in addition to the existing ₹500 per month currently being provided by the Union Territory Administration as its share.
The MP also stated that the Union Territory Administration is examining a proposal to increase its contribution from the present ₹500 per month to ₹3,500 per month. The proposal is currently under consideration.
Reacting to the decision, Bishnu Pada Ray welcomed the Ministry’s approval and expressed gratitude to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for considering the long-pending demand of ASHA workers.
He said the enhancement would provide greater recognition to the role played by ASHA workers in delivering healthcare services across the islands and would help improve their morale.
ASHA workers serve as frontline community health workers under the National Health Mission, providing a vital link between public health services and communities, particularly in rural and remote areas. The revised incentive is expected to take effect from April 1, 2026, as approved by the Ministry.
