West Bengal officially implemented the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) on June 10, 2026, becoming the 36th State or Union Territory to adopt the scheme. This move completes a 100 percent nationwide rollout of the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance program across every state and union territory in India. Alongside this implementation, the central government allocated 3,505 crore rupees to West Bengal under the National Health Mission (NHM) for the financial year 2026 to 2027.
West Bengal Becomes 36th State to Adopt Central Health Scheme
The inclusion of West Bengal marks a historic turning point in India’s journey toward universal health coverage. For several years, West Bengal remained one of the few states that had not implemented the central health scheme, primarily due to its existing state-run program. By officially signing the memorandum of understanding with the central government, the state has now integrated its health infrastructure with the national framework.
With West Bengal’s participation, every single state and union territory in India is now part of the Ayushman Bharat ecosystem. This 100 percent coverage ensures that the benefits of the scheme are no longer restricted by state boundaries, providing a uniform safety net for the most vulnerable sections of the population across the entire country.
Strategic Shift from Swasthya Sathi to AB PM-JAY
Before joining the national scheme, West Bengal operated its own health program called Swasthya Sathi, which was launched in 2016. While Swasthya Sathi provided universal coverage to all residents of the state, it lacked national portability. The transition to AB PM-JAY addresses this limitation by allowing beneficiaries from West Bengal to access cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital across India.
One of the most significant changes in this transition is the funding structure. While Swasthya Sathi was entirely funded by the state government, AB PM-JAY operates as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and the State. This collaborative funding model is expected to reduce the financial burden on the state treasury while expanding the scope of medical services available to citizens.
Key Features of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana provides a health cover of 5 lakh rupees per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. The scheme was originally launched in September 2018 from Ranchi, Jharkhand, with the goal of providing health insurance to the bottom 40 percent of India’s population. It is a completely cashless and paperless system at the point of service, meaning beneficiaries do not have to pay anything out of pocket at empanelled hospitals.
Administration and Eligibility
At the national level, the scheme is managed by the National Health Authority (NHA), which functions as an attached office of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. At the state level, it is implemented through the State Health Agency (SHA). Eligibility was initially determined based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data, but it has since been expanded.
In a major expansion in late 2024, the government extended the benefits of AB PM-JAY to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income or socio-economic status. This universal coverage for the elderly ensures that every senior citizen in India has access to quality healthcare without worrying about financial constraints.
Strengthening Health Infrastructure Under NHM
The implementation of Ayushman Bharat in West Bengal is accompanied by significant financial support from the central government. For the financial year 2026 to 2027, an allocation of 3,505 crore rupees has been made to the state under the National Health Mission (NHM). This funding is aimed at strengthening the primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare systems in the state, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place to handle the influx of beneficiaries.
The NHM, which includes the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), focuses on improving maternal and child health, controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases, and enhancing overall health system capacity. By aligning with the national framework, West Bengal can leverage these funds to upgrade district hospitals, health centres, and medical colleges, thereby improving the quality of care for all its citizens.
Significance of the 100 Percent Nationwide Rollout
The achievement of a 100 percent nationwide rollout is a landmark moment for India’s public health policy. It signifies that the vision of One Nation, One Health Card is now a reality across all 36 States and Union Territories. This integration allows for the seamless transfer of health data and enables beneficiaries to seek treatment anywhere in the country, which is particularly beneficial for migrant workers and families living in border areas.
Furthermore, a unified national health scheme encourages the adoption of standardized clinical protocols and quality assurance mechanisms in hospitals across India. As more private and public hospitals join the empanelled network to serve the vast beneficiary base, the competition and scale are expected to drive down costs and improve service delivery standards. The successful implementation in West Bengal finally closes the geographical gap in the national health safety net, ensuring that no citizen is left behind.
Key Takeaways
- West Bengal officially implemented the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY on June 10, 2026, becoming the 36th State or Union Territory to join the scheme.
- The inclusion of West Bengal marks the completion of a 100 percent nationwide rollout of the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance program.
- The central government has allocated 3,505 crore rupees to West Bengal under the National Health Mission (NHM) for the financial year 2026 to 2027.
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY provides an annual health cover of 5 lakh rupees per family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
- The National Health Authority (NHA), an attached office of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is the nodal agency responsible for implementing the scheme at the national level.
- Since late 2024, the scheme has been expanded to cover all senior citizens aged 70 and above regardless of their socio-economic status.
