West Bengal Becomes 36th State/UT to Implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — Nationwide Rollout Complete

Detailed Summary

West Bengal became the 36th and final State/Union Territory to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) on June 8, 2026, completing the nationwide rollout of India's flagship health assurance programme. The National Health Authority (NHA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Bengal Department of Health and Family Welfare at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Union Health Minister JP Nadda and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The scheme provides health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. The Centre also released ₹527 crore to West Bengal under the National Health Mission (NHM) at the same event.

Historical Background

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 23, 2018, from Ranchi, Jharkhand. It is the world's largest government-funded health assurance scheme. Initially, West Bengal had been a notable holdout, as the previous TMC-led state government under CM Mamata Banerjee had refused to implement the scheme, preferring its own state health scheme called "Swasthya Sathi." With the change in the West Bengal state government following the 2026 elections, the new state government under CM Suvendu Adhikari agreed to implement AB PM-JAY, making the national rollout complete.

Why Important for TNPSC

AB PM-JAY is one of the most frequently asked topics in TNPSC current affairs. Key facts — launch date, launch place, coverage amount, administering authority, and target beneficiaries — are regularly tested. The completion of national rollout in all 36 states/UTs is a milestone that could feature in 2026–27 exam questions. Tamil Nadu has been implementing AB PM-JAY and has its own complementary scheme, Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS).

Constitutional and Economic Relevance

Health is a State subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution (Entry 6 of the State List). However, the Central government promotes national health schemes through the Concurrent List provisions and Article 47 (Directive Principle — raising the level of nutrition and public health). AB PM-JAY is a flagship scheme under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The cost-sharing ratio is 60:40 (Centre:State) for general states and 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States. The scheme targets the bottom 40% of India's population based on Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data.

Tamil Nadu Relevance

Tamil Nadu implements AB PM-JAY alongside its own Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS), which was launched in 2012. Tamil Nadu's CMCHIS provides coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family per year and is considered one of the most comprehensive state health insurance schemes in India. The National Health Authority is the apex body administering AB PM-JAY at the national level, while in Tamil Nadu, the implementation is managed through the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project.

Key Highlights

• West Bengal became the 36th State/UT to join AB PM-JAY on June 8, 2026, completing national rollout.
• MoU signed at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, between NHA and West Bengal Health Department.
• Union Health Minister JP Nadda and West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari were present.
• The scheme covers up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.
• Centre released ₹527 crore to West Bengal under NHM at the same event.
• AB PM-JAY is the world's largest government-funded health assurance programme.

Important Facts Table

Memorization Points

• AB PM-JAY launched: September 23, 2018, Ranchi, Jharkhand, by PM Modi.
• World's largest government-funded health assurance scheme.
• Coverage: ₹5 lakh per family per year.
• Administered by: National Health Authority (NHA), under MoHFW.
• Cost-sharing: 60:40 (Centre:State) for general states.
• 36th and last state: West Bengal (June 8, 2026).
• Tamil Nadu equivalent: CMCHIS (Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, 2012).

MCQs

1. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY was launched on which date?

• A) September 23, 2018
• B) October 2, 2019
• C) January 26, 2018
• D) August 15, 2018

Answer: A — AB PM-JAY was launched on September 23, 2018, by PM Modi from Ranchi, Jharkhand. It is the world's largest government-funded health assurance programme.

2. Which is the administering authority for Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?

• A) NITI Aayog
• B) National Health Authority (NHA)
• C) Ministry of Finance
• D) Planning Commission

Answer: B — The National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is the apex body administering AB PM-JAY.

3. Which state became the 36th and last State/UT to implement AB PM-JAY in June 2026?

• A) Odisha
• B) West Bengal
• C) Delhi
• D) Kerala

Answer: B — West Bengal signed the MoU to implement AB PM-JAY on June 8, 2026, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, becoming the last of India's 36 states/UTs to join the scheme.