West Bengal to Join Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

West Bengal is set to join the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) through a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Health Authority in New Delhi on 8 June 2026. The State will become the 36th State or Union Territory to implement the scheme, and the rollout is scheduled to begin in July 2026.

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is a Centrally sponsored health insurance scheme launched by the Government of India in 2018. It provides cashless and paperless treatment for eligible families at empanelled public and private hospitals across India.

Coverage and Benefits

Under AB PM-JAY, eligible families receive health insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. The scheme covers hospital treatment, surgery, medicines, diagnostics, and pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses within the approved package rates.

Implementation in West Bengal

An estimated 6 crore families in West Bengal are expected to gain access to AB PM-JAY benefits after the State joins the scheme. Beneficiaries under the State health scheme Swasthya Sathi will be merged gradually into the Ayushman Bharat framework.

Funding and Administrative Support

The Central government has allocated ₹3,505 crore through the National Health Mission in 2026 for West Bengal’s integration. The allocation covers hospital empanelment, technology infrastructure, and card issuance for beneficiaries.

Important Facts for Exams

• AB PM-JAY is implemented by the National Health Authority under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The scheme provides health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.
• West Bengal will become the 36th State or Union Territory to implement AB PM-JAY.
• Swasthya Sathi is West Bengal’s state health scheme for eligible families.