West Bengal Joins Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: Strengthening Cooperative Federalism and Universal Health Coverage

From a governance perspective, this development underscores the importance of cooperative federalism. While health is a State subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the successful implementation of large-scale welfare schemes requires synergy between the Union and State governments. The convergence of PM-JAY and Swasthya Sathi suggests a pragmatic approach to policy-making, where the strengths of a national framework—such as the National Health Authority’s (NHA) IT infrastructure and pan-India network—are combined with state-level reach and administrative experience. Furthermore, this integration aids in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.8, which aims for Universal Health Coverage. By expanding the pool of beneficiaries and streamlining the insurance process, the move addresses the financial barriers to healthcare and ensures that medical emergencies do not push families back into poverty. For UPSC aspirants, this case study illustrates the evolution of social security in India and the resolution of federal friction through policy alignment. UPSC Relevance: This development is a prime example of cooperative federalism and the implementation of welfare schemes for vulnerable sections. It can be used in GS Paper II to discuss health policy, center-state relations, and the challenges of achieving universal health coverage. It also touches upon GS Paper III themes of inclusive growth and human development.