West Bengal joins Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY as 36th State/UT in nationwide rollout
Synopsis
West Bengal's signing of the PM-JAY MoU on 8 June 2026 closes the last gap in a nationwide rollout eight years in the making. With 12 crore treatments worth ₹1.82 lakh crore delivered and out-of-pocket health spending down from 64.6% to 43.4%, the numbers signal real reach — but full coverage across all eligible households in India's most populous states remains the harder task ahead.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal became the 36th State/UT to implement AB PM-JAY on 8 June 2026 , completing the nationwide rollout.
The NHA signed an MoU with the West Bengal government at a ceremony presided over by Union Health Minister JP Nadda .
PM-JAY has facilitated more than 12 crore treatments worth over ₹1.82 lakh crore since its launch in September 2018 .
Out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure has dropped from 64.6% to 43.4% , according to government data.
Nearly 90% of eligible cancer patients under PM-JAY began treatment within 30 days , per findings cited from The Lancet .
West Bengal's HPV vaccination drive has inoculated over 33,000 girls out of a target of 7.65 lakh since its launch on 30 May 2026 .
West Bengal on Monday, 8 June 2026 became the 36th State and Union Territory to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), completing the nationwide rollout of the Centre's flagship health assurance programme. The National Health Authority (NHA), operating under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, formalised the state's entry through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the West Bengal Department of Health and Family Welfare.
MoU Signing and Key Officials
The signing ceremony was presided over by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda, in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel, and Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, along with senior officials from both the Centre and the state government. Nadda described the occasion as 'a historic milestone in India's journey towards universal health coverage' and congratulated the West Bengal government for joining the scheme.
Scale and Impact of PM-JAY
Launched in September 2018 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AB PM-JAY is the world's largest government-funded health assurance programme. Beneficiaries have collectively availed more than 12 crore treatments worth over ₹1.82 lakh crore, providing financial protection to poor and vulnerable families across India. Notably, out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure has declined from 64.6% before 2018 to 43.4% currently, according to the government.
Healthcare Access and Clinical Outcomes
Nadda highlighted that the scheme's cashless, paperless, and fully digital architecture has enabled timely access to quality care. Citing findings published in The Lancet, he noted that nearly 90% of eligible cancer patients covered under PM-JAY were able to begin treatment within 30 days of diagnosis — a figure that underscores the programme's role in reducing critical delays in care.
West Bengal's HPV Vaccination Drive
The Union Health Minister also lauded West Bengal's HPV vaccination programme, launched on 30 May 2026, targeting adolescent girls aged 14 years. The initiative aims to prevent cervical cancer, with more than 33,000 girls already vaccinated out of a targeted 7.65 lakh beneficiaries. Chief Minister Adhikari thanked the Centre for its continued support in strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.
What Comes Next
With West Bengal's inclusion, AB PM-JAY now covers all 36 States and Union Territories, marking the completion of a rollout that began nearly eight years ago. The focus shifts to deepening penetration — enrolling eligible households, onboarding more hospitals, and driving awareness in districts where uptake remains low. The convergence of PM-JAY with state health schemes will be a key implementation challenge going forward.
Point of View
Under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, signals a shift in Centre-state health relations. The headline numbers are impressive — ₹1.82 lakh crore in treatments, out-of-pocket spending down by over 20 percentage points — but aggregate figures can mask uneven district-level penetration. The real test of 'universal' coverage is whether the scheme reaches the last-mile beneficiary in rural Bengal, not just whether the MoU has been signed in New Delhi.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and why is West Bengal's inclusion significant?
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is the world's largest government-funded health assurance programme, launched in September 2018. West Bengal's inclusion on 8 June 2026 makes it the 36th and final State/UT to join, completing the scheme's nationwide rollout.
How many people have benefited from PM-JAY so far?
Beneficiaries across India have availed more than 12 crore treatments worth over ₹1.82 lakh crore under PM-JAY since its launch. Out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure has declined from 64.6% before 2018 to 43.4% currently, according to government figures.
Who signed the MoU for West Bengal's PM-JAY implementation?
The MoU was signed between the National Health Authority (NHA) and the West Bengal Department of Health and Family Welfare. The ceremony was presided over by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava also present.
What does The Lancet data cited at the event show about PM-JAY?
According to findings published in The Lancet and cited by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, nearly 90% of eligible cancer patients covered under PM-JAY were able to begin treatment within 30 days of diagnosis, indicating improved and timely access to critical healthcare.
What is West Bengal's HPV vaccination programme mentioned at the event?
West Bengal launched an HPV vaccination programme on 30 May 2026, targeting adolescent girls aged 14 years to prevent cervical cancer. As of the MoU signing, more than 33,000 girls had been vaccinated out of a targeted 7.65 lakh beneficiaries.
