PM Modi Pledges Expedited Ayushman Bharat Launch in West Bengal Post-Election Triumph

Most states and UTs have adopted the scheme, integrating it with their healthcare delivery systems. And, recent expansions of the scheme in Odisha and Delhi have demonstrated its adaptability within varied state healthcare frameworks.

PM Modi has announced that Ayushman Bharat will be approved for West Bengal in the first cabinet meeting, positioning the expansion of the national health insurance scheme as a key early priority for the new government.

The promise comes on the heels of a sweeping electoral victory in West Bengal, where PM Modi addressed party workers in New Delhi, reaffirming the central government’s intent to bring West Bengal under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat.

“In the first cabinet meet, Ayushman Bharat will get a green nod,” he said.

Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is one of India’s largest health assurance initiatives, offering cashless treatment cover of up to INR 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.

The scheme has gained traction across the country, particularly in the context of rising out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, which continue to place a financial strain on households. It also includes automatic eligibility for citizens aged over 70, expanding its reach among vulnerable populations.

The scheme operates as a centrally sponsored programme, with funding shared between the Centre and participating states.

Its implementation typically involves coordination with empanelled public and private hospitals, digital verification systems, and health benefit packages designed to standardise care delivery.

Over time, Ayushman Bharat has also contributed to strengthening digital health infrastructure, including beneficiary identification and claims processing.

Recent expansions of the scheme in regions such as Odisha and Delhi have demonstrated its adaptability within varied state healthcare frameworks.

Currently, most states and Union Territories have adopted the scheme, integrating it with their healthcare delivery systems.

However, West Bengal has remained an exception, having previously opted out and continued with its own state-sponsored health insurance programmes.

In a surprising turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has scored a significant victory in West Bengal's latest elections, securing 206 out of a total 293 seats.

This decisive win represents a remarkable shift in the state's political landscape, marking a downturn for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), which plummeted from 215 seats in 2021 to just 81.

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