Health Ministry Assesses AB PM-JAY and ABDM Implementation, Sets Out Future Plans

Summary:
The National Health Authority (NHA) conducted a two-day review meeting in Kolkata on November 5–6, 2026, to assess the progress of AB PM-JAY and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Discussions focused on expanding beneficiary coverage, improving healthcare delivery, strengthening financial protection, streamlining claims processing, preventing fraud and accelerating digital health adoption. The meeting also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics and cybersecurity in transforming healthcare services. With participation from States and Union Territories, the review concluded with a roadmap emphasising stronger Centre-State coordination, secure digital infrastructure and technology-driven implementation to improve healthcare access, efficiency and outcomes across India. 

The National Health Authority (NHA), functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, organised a two-day National Review Meeting in Kolkata on November 5–6, 2026, to examine the implementation progress of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The discussions centred on identifying key priorities and developing strategies to reinforce the execution of these flagship healthcare initiatives in the next phase.

Senior representatives from various States and Union Territories attended the meeting to review programme performance, exchange experiences from implementation, and discuss steps to enhance coverage, operational efficiency and overall outcomes. Key areas of focus included reaching more beneficiaries, improving healthcare services, strengthening financial security and promoting the wider use of digital health technologies.

Technology-driven solutions, data analytics, automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) were identified as important tools for enhancing operational effectiveness, transparency, accountability and healthcare outcomes.

Dr Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Authority, acknowledged West Bengal’s progress after its integration into the national AB PM-JAY platform, noting that more than four crore Ayushman Cards had been issued within a relatively short period. He said, “Every rupee spent on healthcare must lead to better care for our people. Technology, data and artificial intelligence can strengthen implementation, improve efficiency and support more informed decision-making. As we move forward, our focus must increasingly shift from financing treatment towards achieving better health outcomes for beneficiaries.”

Manoj Kumar Aggarwal, Chief Secretary of West Bengal, stressed the need to develop primary healthcare services while maintaining financial security through AB PM-JAY. He remarked, “Healthcare should never push a family into poverty. AB PM-JAY is a game changer in ensuring healthcare security for every eligible family. At the same time, strengthening primary healthcare is essential to reducing the burden on hospitals and improving health outcomes. West Bengal is committed to making the implementation of the scheme robust, comprehensive and people-centric.”

Narayan Swaroop Nigam, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, West Bengal, stated that since the State became the 36th participant in AB PM-JAY on August 16, 2026, approximately 4.2 crore beneficiaries had been registered, while 220,000 individuals had accessed treatment through the scheme. He highlighted that AB PM-JAY and ABDM serve as interconnected components of healthcare transformation, bringing together financial security and digital empowerment.

The inaugural programme was attended by Ashish Madhao Rao, Additional CEO of NHA; Kiran Gopal Vaska and Varnali Deka, Joint Secretaries and Mission Directors of ABDM; Sharad Dwivedi, CEO of the State Health Agency, West Bengal; as well as senior NHA officials and delegates representing States and Union Territories.

Discussions stressed the importance of bringing all eligible individuals under AB PM-JAY while ensuring that beneficiaries are adequately informed about the scheme’s provisions and advantages. Participants also assessed ABDM’s implementation and explored measures to increase its acceptance among healthcare institutions. Coordinated execution was considered essential for providing uninterrupted healthcare access, improving beneficiary experiences and developing an integrated healthcare ecosystem centred on patients.

Other discussions focused on improving the claims settlement process and strengthening fraud-control measures under AB PM-JAY. A separate session examining the National Anti-Fraud Unit (NAFU) and auto-adjudication explored how automation could improve claims processing, particularly in terms of turnaround time, operational expenditure and the quality of claim assessments. Participants also highlighted the importance of periodic fraud assessments, stronger monitoring arrangements and improved institutional capabilities within State Anti-Fraud Units to maintain transparency and accountability.

The Model Digital Health Facility Framework was also reviewed, including its implementation in Tripura. Participants observed that the digital transformation of healthcare institutions requires more than introducing technological solutions. It also involves revising institutional procedures, restructuring workflows and providing continuous training to healthcare professionals so they can effectively operate ABDM-compatible systems and maintain reliable data for the successful implementation of AB PM-JAY.

Prof Phaneendra Yalavarthy of TANUH, IISc Bengaluru, introduced the Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI (BODH), a system designed to assess healthcare AI models against Indian datasets. States were advised to utilise the platform to evaluate the effectiveness of AI-based solutions before implementing them and incorporate BODH assessments into their procurement procedures for healthcare AI technologies.

The meeting also assessed progress towards making the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) operational. Discussions highlighted the importance of implementing ABDM-compatible Hospital Information Systems across hospitals empanelled under AB PM-JAY to enable effective connectivity. Stronger integration by hospitals and digital technology providers was identified as necessary for faster claim settlements and more accurate adjudication.

The Health Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Unit (HAAU) shared its assessment of data quality and highlighted the requirement to improve institutional capabilities in analytics and evidence-led decision-making. Participating States expressed their intention to create dedicated teams for analytics and AI to facilitate better planning and more focused healthcare interventions.

On the second day, participants discussed healthcare financing approaches, integration of different health schemes, simplification of digital connectivity and cybersecurity measures. Dr Darez Ahamed, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Tamil Nadu, shared insights from the State’s experience with insurance-based and assurance-based healthcare coverage. He highlighted the importance of matching coverage arrangements with different risk categories and providing hospitals with dedicated ring-fenced funds and payments within stipulated timelines.

The session on scheme convergence examined how NHA’s information technology platform could be leveraged to administer State-level healthcare programmes. Existing health benefit packages, networks of empanelled hospitals and fraud-identification systems were identified as useful resources for promoting uniformity, simplifying administration and strengthening oversight.

A live presentation of Sandbox 2.0 demonstrated agentic AI-based capabilities designed to make ABDM integration simpler and faster through AI-assisted tools. The demonstration successfully completed an ABDM Milestone 1 integration for ABHA creation, showcasing how artificial intelligence can minimise technical requirements and integration timelines. This approach could accelerate the onboarding of technology partners and Hospital Information System providers while reducing the need for manual assistance.

Cybersecurity received considerable attention due to the confidential nature of information processed by national digital healthcare platforms. Participants examined potential risks such as phishing attempts, malicious URLs, exposed login credentials and security weaknesses involving third-party systems. States were encouraged to designate dedicated cybersecurity officers, strengthen user authentication and access management procedures, and undertake regular security assessments of applications and APIs to safeguard digital healthcare infrastructure and sensitive information.

Another key demonstration featured NHA’s Ambient AI-powered Voice Scribe technology, which transforms conversations between doctors and patients into organised clinical documentation across multiple Indian languages. Doctors verify and approve the generated records before they are connected to ABHA. The technology is expected to ease documentation responsibilities, improve clinical processes and support the broader digital transformation of healthcare services.

The National Review Meeting ended with a jointly developed action plan for the upcoming phase of AB PM-JAY and ABDM. Participants reiterated the need for continued collaboration between the Centre and States, stronger implementation frameworks and effective deployment of technology to ensure that programme achievements deliver measurable benefits to citizens.

The primary priorities will include increasing beneficiary coverage and digital technology adoption, facilitating timely access to quality medical services, improving financial security and achieving better health outcomes. High-quality data, secure and interoperable digital infrastructure, effective monitoring arrangements and the responsible application of emerging technologies were identified as critical requirements for achieving these objectives.

The two-day meeting featured 15 sessions addressing programme execution, operational improvements, digital healthcare infrastructure and emerging technological developments. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively towards stronger implementation of AB PM-JAY and ABDM and building a healthcare system in India that is accessible, affordable, efficient and focused on people’s needs.