West Bengal becomes 36th State/UT to implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
On 8 June 2026, West Bengal became the 36th State/UT to implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY after the National Health Authority signed an MoU with the State's Health Department, extending cover to about 1.43 crore families.
Summary
West Bengal became the 36th State/Union Territory to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) on 8 June 2026, completing nationwide adoption of the scheme. The National Health Authority (NHA) signed an MoU with the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari; NHA CEO Dr Sunil Kumar Barnwal and Principal Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam signed it. About 1.43 crore families in the State will get health assurance benefits. Launched in September 2018, PM-JAY 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 created.
Key facts
- Date
- 8 June 2026
- Milestone
- West Bengal = 36th State/UT; nationwide adoption completed
- MoU
- NHA and Dept of Health & FW, West Bengal
- Beneficiaries
- ~1.43 crore families in West Bengal
- Scheme launched
- September 2018
- Coverage
- >62 crore people; >44 crore Ayushman Cards; >12 crore admissions
- Out-of-pocket spending
- 64.6% before 2018 → 43.4% now
Practice MCQs 4 questions
On 8 June 2026, West Bengal became which State/UT to implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?
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Correct answer: C — 36th
West Bengal became the 36th State/UT to implement AB PM-JAY, completing nationwide adoption.
Which body signed the MoU with the Government of West Bengal for implementing AB PM-JAY?
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Correct answer: A — National Health Authority
The National Health Authority (NHA) under the Health Ministry signed the MoU with the State's Health & FW Department.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY was launched in:
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Correct answer: D — September 2018
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said PM-JAY was launched in September 2018.
Consider the following statements about AB PM-JAY as stated on 8 June 2026: 1. It covers more than 62 crore people, including senior citizens aged 70 and above and gig and platform workers. 2. Out-of-pocket health expenditure has declined from 64.6% before 2018 to 43.4%. 3. Over 12 crore Ayushman Cards have been created. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: over 44 crore Ayushman Cards have been created; 12 crore is the number of hospital admissions authorised.