West Bengal becomes the 36th State/UT to implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAYNationwide rollout of PM-JAY now completeOver 12 crore treatments worth Rs 1.82 lakh crore provided under the schemeHealthcare expenditure burden reduced significantly since 201890% of eligible cancer patients started treatment within 30 daysWest Bengal’s HPV vaccination programme targets 7.65 lakh girls
Key Highlights Box
- West Bengal becomes the 36th State/UT to implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
- Nationwide rollout of PM-JAY now complete
- Over 12 crore treatments worth Rs 1.82 lakh crore provided under the scheme
- Healthcare expenditure burden reduced significantly since 2018
- 90% of eligible cancer patients started treatment within 30 days
- West Bengal’s HPV vaccination programme targets 7.65 lakh girls
Kolkata, June 09: West Bengal has officially become the 36th State and Union Territory to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), marking the completion of the nationwide rollout of India’s flagship health insurance programme. The move is expected to extend cashless healthcare benefits to millions of eligible beneficiaries in the state while strengthening the country’s efforts toward universal health coverage.
West Bengal on Monday became the 36th State and Union Territory to implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY after signing an MoU with the National Health Authority. The development completes the nationwide rollout of India’s flagship health assurance programme, which has provided over 12 crore treatments worth more than Rs 1.82 lakh crore since its launch in 2018.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for implementing the scheme in West Bengal was signed between the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the West Bengal Department of Health and Family Welfare. The ceremony was attended by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, and senior officials from both governments.
Speaking on the occasion, Nadda described the development as a historic milestone in India’s journey towards universal health coverage. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, launched in September 2018, has emerged as the world’s largest government-funded health assurance programme.
Highlighting the achievements of the scheme, the Health Minister said beneficiaries have availed more than 12 crore treatments worth over Rs 1.82 lakh crore, offering substantial financial protection to poor and vulnerable families across the country. He also noted that out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure has declined from 64.6 per cent before 2018 to 43.4 per cent currently, reflecting the impact of healthcare reforms and improved access to affordable treatment.
According to Nadda, the scheme’s cashless, paperless and fully digital architecture has enabled beneficiaries to receive timely and quality healthcare services. Referring to findings published in The Lancet, he said that nearly 90 per cent of eligible cancer patients covered under PM-JAY were able to start treatment within 30 days, demonstrating the programme’s effectiveness in improving healthcare access.
The Union Minister also praised the West Bengal government’s HPV vaccination programme, launched on May 30, 2026, for adolescent girls aged 14 years. He said the initiative would play a crucial role in preventing cervical cancer and revealed that over 33,000 girls have already been vaccinated against a target of 7.65 lakh beneficiaries.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari thanked the Central government for its continued support in strengthening healthcare infrastructure and services in the state. With West Bengal joining the programme, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY has now achieved complete nationwide implementation, further reinforcing India’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible healthcare to all citizens.
West Bengal’s inclusion in Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY marks a significant achievement in India’s healthcare journey. The nationwide rollout of the scheme is expected to improve access to quality medical treatment, reduce financial burdens on families, and accelerate the country’s progress toward universal health coverage. The move also highlights the growing collaboration between the Centre and states in strengthening public healthcare delivery.
FAQ Section
Q1. What is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is India’s flagship government-funded health assurance programme that provides cashless healthcare coverage to eligible beneficiaries.
Q2. Which state recently joined PM-JAY?
West Bengal became the 36th State and Union Territory to implement the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme.
Q3. How many treatments have been provided under PM-JAY?
More than 12 crore treatments worth over Rs 1.82 lakh crore have been availed under the scheme.
Q4. When was Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY launched?
The scheme was launched in September 2018 by the Government of India.
Q5. What is the significance of West Bengal joining PM-JAY?
It completes the nationwide rollout of the programme, ensuring coverage across all States and Union Territories.
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