In a landmark development for India’s healthcare landscape, West Bengal has officially become the 36th State/Union Territory to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Health Authority (NHA) and the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal.

The MoU was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and representatives of the National Health Authority. The agreement marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of universal health coverage and equitable access to healthcare services.

With the rollout of AB PM-JAY in West Bengal, eligible beneficiaries in the state will gain access to cashless hospitalization coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care treatments at empanelled public and private hospitals across the country.

Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is recognized as the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme. The programme currently covers approximately 55 crore beneficiaries and has facilitated more than 10 crore hospital admissions, generating treatment benefits worth over ₹1 lakh crore nationwide.

Healthcare experts believe West Bengal’s inclusion will significantly strengthen financial protection against catastrophic healthcare expenditure while improving access to specialized medical services. Beneficiaries will also be able to avail themselves of the scheme’s national portability feature, enabling treatment at empanelled hospitals anywhere in India.

Officials noted that the integration of West Bengal into the PM-JAY framework will support healthcare infrastructure development, enhance service utilization, and improve patient access to quality healthcare. The move is expected to benefit millions of eligible residents, particularly economically vulnerable households facing high out of-pocket medical expenses.

The implementation aligns with the government’s broader vision of strengthening healthcare accessibility through initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), Health and Wellness Centres, and expanded insurance coverage.

Public health analysts have welcomed the development, stating that nationwide participation in PM-JAY will further accelerate India’s progress toward universal health coverage and reduce healthcare inequalities.

With West Bengal joining the programme, AB PM-JAY now covers all 36 States and Union Territories, marking a major achievement in the country’s effort to provide affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare to every eligible citizen.