Following a historic victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Centre’s flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), will be implemented in the state.
Addressing party workers during his victory speech at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, the Prime Minister said the scheme would be approved in the very first cabinet meeting of the new state government.
‘New Era For Bengal’: PM Modi
Calling the election outcome the beginning of a “new journey” for West Bengal, Modi said the BJP government would focus on development, trust, and opportunity.
“A journey for the future of Bengal is beginning today—where development, trust, and new hopes will move forward together,” he said.
He added that the rollout of Ayushman Bharat would ensure better healthcare access for residents, while also promising improved safety for women, more employment opportunities for youth, and reduced migration.
What Ayushman Bharat Offers
Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is one of the world’s largest government-funded healthcare schemes. It provides cashless health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
The scheme also includes automatic coverage for all citizens aged above 70 years, making it a critical support system for elderly healthcare.
Why Bengal Didn’t Have The Scheme Earlier
Until now, West Bengal—under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee and the All India Trinamool Congress—had opted out of Ayushman Bharat, citing the presence of its own state-run healthcare programmes.
Similarly, Delhi had earlier declined the scheme during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party government, though it was later implemented.
The Centre had repeatedly criticised opposition-ruled states for not adopting the scheme, arguing that it limited access to affordable healthcare for citizens.
BJP’s Big Win In Bengal
The BJP’s sweeping performance—leading in over 200 seats—marks a major political shift in West Bengal, ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in the state.
With the new government set to take charge, the implementation of Ayushman Bharat is expected to be among its first major policy decisions.