SchemesTuesday, 9 June 2026·The Hindu - National
West Bengal becomes 36th State/UT under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
West Bengal signed an MoU with NHA on June 8, 2026, becoming the 36th State/UT to implement AB PM-JAY.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On June 8, 2026, West Bengal became the 36th State/Union Territory to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) after signing an MoU with the National Health Authority under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Key specifics
- AB PM-JAY was launched in September 2018 and is described as the world’s largest government-funded health assurance programme.
- More than 12 crore treatments worth over ₹1.82 lakh crore have been availed under the scheme.
- Out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure fell from 64.6% before 2018 to 43.4% today.
- West Bengal said about 1.24 crore eligible families will get coverage under AB PM-JAY.
- The scheme’s portability allows migrant workers to access cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals across India.
Exam lens
Question type: Scheme and health governance match-the-following. Key facts: NHA, MoHFW, 36th State/UT, September 2018 launch, 12 crore treatments, ₹1.82 lakh crore. TNPSC may ask which State recently joined AB PM-JAY and what the scheme’s portability feature means.