West Bengal becomes 36th State/UT to join AB PM-JAY
Next story · 8 JunReport on datasets for State Finance Commissions released
West Bengal became the 36th State/UT to implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY on 8 June 2026, when the National Health Authority signed an MoU with the State. About 1.43 crore families, nearly 6 crore people, will get cashless hospital cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family a year. The Centre expects to contribute nearly ₹1,000 crore annually.
- Release
- 8 Jun 2026, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Event
- NHA–West Bengal MoU; 36th State/UT on PM-JAY
- Families covered
- about 1.43 crore (nearly 6 crore people)
- Break-up
- 1.24 crore eligible families; 15.95 lakh senior-citizen (70+) families; about 3.03 lakh ASHA/Anganwadi families
- Cover
- up to ₹5 lakh per family a year, cashless
- Central share
- nearly ₹1,000 crore a year (expected)
West Bengal joining AB PM-JAY: what happened?
Health is a State subject, so a State must sign on before a Central health scheme runs there. West Bengal had stayed out of PM-JAY. With its MoU, the scheme now runs in 36 States and UTs.
- NHA and the West Bengal Health Department signed the MoU in the presence of the Union Health Minister and the Chief Minister.
- Portability means migrant workers from Bengal can use cashless care at empanelled hospitals in other States.
- Beneficiaries get access to more than 36,000 empanelled hospitals across the country.
- The State also launched an HPV vaccination drive for 14-year-old girls on 30 May 2026; over 33,000 vaccinated so far.
What is AB PM-JAY?
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, launched in September 2018, gives cashless, paperless hospital cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family a year.
- It now covers more than 62 crore people, including senior citizens aged 70 and above and gig and platform workers.
- Over 44 crore Ayushman Cards have been made and over 12 crore hospital admissions authorised; women are nearly half of those treated.
Why does a State have to sign on?
- Seventh Schedule, List II (State List), Entry 6: “Public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries.” Health care delivery is a State subject, so the Centre runs PM-JAY through MoUs with States and their State Health Agencies.
What do the numbers show?
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| People covered nationally | more than 62 crore |
| Ayushman Cards created | more than 44 crore |
| Treatments availed | over 12 crore, worth more than ₹1.82 lakh crore |
| Out-of-pocket spending share | 64.6% before 2018 to 43.4% now |
| West Bengal families covered | about 1.43 crore |
| NHM resource envelope for Bengal | ₹3,505.59 crore; first tranche ₹527.58 crore |
Why does West Bengal joining AB PM-JAY matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Social | Cashless care for about 6 crore more people. |
| Federal | Shows how a Central scheme on a State subject works only with State consent. |
| Migrants | Portability helps Bengal workers living in other States. |
| Health finance | Out-of-pocket share cited as falling from 64.6% to 43.4%. |
What are the challenges in West Bengal joining AB PM-JAY?
- Enrolment and card creation for 1.43 crore families take time.
- Empanelled hospital spread inside the State decides real access.
- Two officials gave slightly different ASHA/Anganwadi family counts (3.03 lakh and 3.06 lakh), so final numbers will come from the State Health Agency.
What should be done next on West Bengal joining AB PM-JAY?
- Speed up Ayushman Card creation in Bengal.
- Empanel enough public and private hospitals in rural districts.
- Track claims and portability use by migrants.
What can Prelims ask on West Bengal joining AB PM-JAY?
- West Bengal: 36th State/UT to implement AB PM-JAY (8 Jun 2026).
- PM-JAY launched September 2018; ₹5 lakh per family a year.
- Covers 70+ senior citizens irrespective of income; also gig and platform workers.
- Out-of-pocket expenditure share: 64.6% to 43.4% (as cited).
- Health: State List, Entry 6.
How to write about West Bengal joining AB PM-JAY in Mains
Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): West Bengal’s entry into AB PM-JAY completes its national spread. Discuss the role of Centre–State cooperation in health insurance schemes.
- Intro: 36th State/UT; 1.43 crore families.
- Scheme design: ₹5 lakh cover, portability.
- Federal angle: List II Entry 6, MoU route.
- Gains: out-of-pocket fall.
- Challenges: enrolment, hospital spread.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-06-08): NHA signed an MoU with West Bengal to implement AB PM-JAY, covering about 1.43 crore families.
- The national scheme now covers almost every State.
Quotable data pointNHA signed an MoU with West Bengal to implement AB PM-JAY, covering about 1.43 crore families.
PIB: Health: West Bengal joins PM-JAY, 8 Jun 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: PM-JAY cover.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
In June 2026, which State became the 36th State/UT to implement AB PM-JAY?
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB (Health), 8 Jun 2026.
"Public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries" is an entry in
Answer (b) & explanation
Constitution of India, Seventh Schedule, List II, Entry 6.
Questions students ask about this
Which State became the 36th to implement AB PM-JAY?
West Bengal, through an MoU with the National Health Authority on 8 June 2026.
How many families in West Bengal are covered?
About 1.43 crore families, nearly 6 crore people.
What is the PM-JAY cover?
Cashless hospital cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family a year.
Why do States sign MoUs for PM-JAY?
Because public health and hospitals are in the State List (Entry 6), so the scheme runs with State consent.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Health: West Bengal joins PM-JAY, 8 Jun 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending