Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)
iasparliament
June 09, 2026
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Government policies and interventions
Why in News?
West Bengal becomes 36th State/UT to Implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
It is the world's largest government-funded health assurance scheme, providing up to Rs. 5 lakhs per eligible familyannually.
Launched in -2018.
Nodal Ministry -Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Core Features
Financial Cover - Rs. 5 Lakhs per family per year with no cap on family size, age, or gender.
Coverage Scope - Includes pre- and post-hospitalization expenses, medicines, diagnostics, and pre-existing diseases from Day 1.
Comprehensive Care - Covers medical consultations, medicines, diagnostics, pre- and post-hospitalization expenses (including oncology and cardiology), ICU charges, surgery, and food/lodging.
Cashless Treatment -Beneficiaries can access care completely free of charge at any public or empaneled private hospital across the country.
Top-Up Coverage - Senior citizens (Above 70) within families already covered by AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year.
Eligibility - Entitlement-based scheme targeting approximately bottom 40% of the vulnerable population based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
No Restrictions-There is no cap on family size, age, or gender, preventing any structural exclusion of women or elder dependents.
Implementation -Implemented nationally by the National Health Authority (NHA) and locally by State Health Agencies (SHAs).
Funding Pattern (Centrally Sponsored)
60:40 for general States and Union Territories with legislatures.
90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States.
100% Central funding for Union Territories without legislatures.
