**Executive Summary**
The National Health Authority (NHA) convened a two-day National Review Meeting (Chintan Shivir) on 17 July 2026 to evaluate the progress of the AB PM-JAY and ABDM healthcare schemes. The meeting aimed to chart a roadmap for the next phase of healthcare reforms, focusing on digital transformation, innovation, and strengthened Centre-State collaboration. Key objectives include achieving beneficiary saturation, integrating new digital health tools, and enhancing evidence-based governance through artificial intelligence.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Scheme Performance and Milestones**
* AB PM-JAY has provided cashless treatment worth over ₹1.91 lakh crore through a network of more than 37,000 empanelled hospitals.
* ABDM has successfully created over 94 crore ABHA numbers and linked more than 100 crore health records.
* The schemes aim to build an integrated healthcare ecosystem combining modern medicine and AYUSH.
**New Guidelines and Standardisation**
* The NHA released its Annual Report along with Compendiums of Guidelines for District Implementation Units (DIU) and Beneficiary Empowerment (BE).
* A new Hospital Empanelment Module (HEM) was introduced to improve operational efficiency and standardise implementation across States and Union Territories.
**Digital Health Initiatives**
* Launch and adoption of advanced digital tools including Aarogya Setu 2.0, the Ayushman App, and the Ayushman Sarathi WhatsApp Chatbot.
* Implementation of the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) to facilitate standards-based digital exchange of health claims between hospitals and payers.
* Development of the National Drug Registry, Unified Health Interface (UHI), and e-Sushrut Clinic to expand citizen-centric services.
**Technology and Governance Reforms**
* Integration of Artificial Intelligence and data analytics to support evidence-based clinical decision-making and policymaking.
* Enhancement of the Auto-Adjudication Engine to improve consistency and efficiency in claims processing.
* Strengthening of programme integrity through the National Anti-Fraud Unit (NAFU) using risk-based monitoring and data-driven fraud detection.
**Implementation Priorities**
* Focus on the saturation of eligible beneficiaries and the accelerated generation of Ayushman Cards.
* Priority enrolment of ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers, and Anganwadi Helpers.
* Targeted implementation of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana and promotion of data-driven decision-making at the State level.
**Impact Analysis**
**States and Union Territories**
**Impact**
States are central to the execution of health reforms and are expected to transition toward more interoperable digital solutions and data-driven governance.
**Action Required**
States must strengthen State-level data analytics, ensure the saturation of eligible beneficiaries, and coordinate closely with the Centre to adopt the new Compendium of Guidelines.
**Healthcare Providers and Hospitals**
**Impact**
Hospitals will experience changes in claim management and empanelment through the NHCX pilot and the new Hospital Empanelment Module (HEM).
**Action Required**
Empanelled hospitals need to adopt the NHCX for digital claim exchanges and utilize Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) to enhance clinical governance.
**Vulnerable Groups (ASHA/Anganwadi Workers/Seniors)**
**Impact**
These groups are specifically targeted for expanded coverage and streamlined access to healthcare benefits.
**Action Required**
Eligible individuals, including ASHA and Anganwadi workers, must participate in the enrolment process and generate Ayushman Cards to access scheme benefits.
**National Health Authority (NHA)**
**Impact**
The NHA is responsible for maintaining the robust digital architecture and overseeing the transition to "ABDM 2.0."
**Action Required**
The NHA must monitor the rollout of new IT applications for beneficiary identification and continue the development of the National Drug Registry and other digital public infrastructures.
Key Entities Referenced
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY): The world’s largest health assurance scheme providing cashless treatment and health coverage to vulnerable citizens.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): A national initiative to create a digital healthcare ecosystem through ABHA numbers and interoperable digital health records.
National Health Authority (NHA): The primary implementing body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare responsible for executing AB PM-JAY and ABDM.
National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX): A digital platform pilot designed to facilitate the interoperable and standards-based exchange of health claims between hospitals and payers.
Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana: A flagship health initiative discussed for accelerated implementation to ensure health coverage for senior citizens.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Centre and States Chart Roadmap for the Next
Phase of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and ABDM
at NHA National Review Meeting (Chintan Shivir)
Under the Leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,
Government is Strengthening Modern Medicine and AYUSH
to Build an Integrated Healthcare Ecosystem: Shri Prataprao
Jadhav
“AB PM-JAY Delivers Cashless Treatment Worth Over ₹1.91
Lakh Crore; ABDM Creates Over 94 Crore ABHA Numbers
and Links More Than 100 Crore Health Records”
NHA Releases Annual Report and Compendiums of
Guidelines to Strengthen Standardisation and Programme
Delivery
Technology-driven Reforms in Clinical Governance, Claims
Management and Programme Integrity to Enhance Efficiency
and Transparency
New Digital Health Initiatives Including Aarogya Setu 2.0,
Ayushman App and NHCX to Accelerate Adoption of ABDM-
enabled Services Across the Healthcare Ecosystem
Artificial Intelligence and Data-driven Governance to
Strengthen Evidence-based Healthcare Delivery
प्रव तथ: 17 JUL 2026 5:33PM by PIB Delhi
The National Health Authority (NHA), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of
India, today commenced a two-day National Review Meeting (Chintan Shivir) on the implementation of
the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Digital
Mission (ABDM) at Madhya Pradesh Bhawan, New Delhi. The National Review Meeting was
inaugurated by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush and Union Minister of
State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav.During the inaugural session, Shri Jadhav released the National Health Authority (NHA) Annual Report,
along with the Compendium of Guidelines for the District Implementation Unit (DIU), Beneficiary
Empowerment (BE) and Hospital Empanelment Module (HEM), to strengthen programme
implementation, improve operational efficiency and promote greater standardisation across States and
Union Territories.
The meeting has brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the
National Health Authority, and States and Union Territories to review progress under the Government’s
flagship health initiatives, identify implementation priorities and chart the next phase of healthcare
reforms through innovation, digital transformation and strengthened Centre–State collaboration.Addressing the meeting, Shri Prataprao Jadhav complimented the National Health Authority (NHA) for
organising the review meeting with all States and Union Territories. Expressing his pleasure at interacting
with the health leadership from across the country, he said that the meeting provided an important
platform to collectively review progress, share best practices and chart the future course for strengthening
the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
Shri Jadhav stated that “AB PM-JAY was conceived in the spirit of Antyodaya, ensuring that the last
person in the queue receives priority in accessing quality healthcare and every cashless treatment provided
under the scheme reaffirms this commitment.” Highlighting the achievements of the scheme over the past
seven years, he stated that “AB PM-JAY has facilitated cashless treatment worth over ₹1.91 lakh crore
through a network of more than 37,000 empanelled hospitals across the country, making it the world’s
largest health assurance scheme.”
Highlighting the progress of digital health, Shri Jadhav said that “the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
(ABDM) has laid the digital foundation for a future-ready healthcare system, with over 94 crore ABHA
numbers created and more than 100 crore health records linked. He emphasised that ABDM 2.0 should be
measured not merely by the number of digital records created, but by the everyday difference it makesthrough seamless access to health records across States, easier discovery of nearby health facilities and
deeper integration with AB PM-JAY, demonstrating the transformative potential of Digital India in
healthcare.”
Calling for greater convergence between AB PM-JAY and ABDM, Shri Jadhav urged all States and Union
Territories to strengthen coordination in implementation while continuing to place the poorest and most
vulnerable citizens at the centre of all healthcare interventions. Expressing confidence in the collective
efforts of all States and Union Territories, he said that together they would build future-ready, citizen-
centric and digitally empowered healthcare systems rooted in accessibility, accountability and compassion,
contributing significantly towards the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Chief Executive Officer, National Health Authority (NHA), Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal highlighted the
National Review Meeting and the Chintan Shivir series, being organised since October 2025, as an
important platform for States and Union Territories to review progress, exchange best practices and
address implementation challenges under AB PM-JAY and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
(ABDM). He noted that despite the country's diverse geographical, demographic and socio-cultural
landscape, the robust digital architecture of the two flagship schemes has enabled their seamless and
effective implementation across India.Highlighting the transformative potential of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure for Health, Dr. Barnwal
said that AB PM-JAY, the world’s largest health assurance scheme, together with the open, interoperable
and scalable architecture of ABDM, is laying a strong digital foundation for a more accessible, efficient
and citizen-centric healthcare system. He stressed the need to strengthen State-level data analytics for
evidence-based policymaking and encouraged States and Union Territories to leverage emerging
technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to enhance healthcare delivery and programme
implementation. He also highlighted citizen-centric digital initiatives such as the upgraded Ayushman
App, Aarogya Setu 2.0, Ayushman Sarathi and the National Drug Registry in improving access to digital
health services.
Dr. Barnwal further emphasised that the vast repository of data generated under PM-JAY has the potential
to emerge as a valuable national health indicator by providing valuable insights into disease patterns
across different States, geographies and demographic groups, thereby enabling more targeted public health
interventions and evidence-based policymaking.The meeting reviewed the progress achieved under AB PM-JAY since the previous Chintan Shivir,
focusing on key implementation priorities, programme performance, beneficiary coverage, service
delivery, claims management and hospital empanelment. It also assessed the status of actionable items
identified during the earlier review meeting and deliberated on measures to strengthen operational
efficiency, institutional mechanisms and beneficiary service delivery. The review identified priority areas
requiring focused interventions, with special emphasis on saturation of eligible beneficiaries, Ayushman
Card generation, enrolment of ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers, accelerated
implementation of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana, and the promotion of data-driven decision-making.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, with discussions
focusing on the progress of key initiatives, adoption of digital health services, and measures to further
strengthen the digital health ecosystem. The review underscored the importance of accelerating ABDM
implementation through closer coordination with States and continued adoption of interoperable digital
health solutions.
The deliberations covered several policy and operational reforms aimed at strengthening programme
implementation under AB PM-JAY. The meeting reviewed the proposed framework for planned pre-
authorisation for selected procedures to reinforce clinical governance and facilitate timely decision-
making. The meeting further reviewed initiatives to strengthen the technology infrastructure supporting
AB PM-JAY. It also reviewed recent developments in the Auto-Adjudication Engine to improve
consistency, transparency and efficiency in claims processing, alongside the work of the National Anti-
Fraud Unit (NAFU) in strengthening programme integrity through risk-based monitoring and data-driven
fraud detection mechanisms.
Discussions focused on enhancements to key IT applications for beneficiary identification, hospital
empanelment, transaction management, user administration and programme analytics to improve
operational efficiency and governance. The meeting also reviewed the rollout of the National Health
Claims Exchange (NHCX)–HMIS pilot, which aims to facilitate interoperable and standards-based digital
exchange of health claims between hospitals and payers.The review also covered the progress of convergence initiatives being implemented through the AB PM-
JAY digital platform, including PM-RAHAT and other government health schemes. Discussions focused
on leveraging a common digital infrastructure to promote standardisation, interoperability and seamless
delivery of healthcare services across schemes.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation roadmap for the digital health initiatives launched by the
National Health Authority on 29 June 2026, including Aarogya Setu 2.0, Ayushman App, Ayushman
Sarathi WhatsApp Chatbot, e-Sushrut Clinic, Bharat Health Terminology Service (BHTS), Common
LOINC Codes for India (CLCI), Drug Registry, Unified Health Interface (UHI) and the National Health
Claims Exchange (NHCX). Discussions focused on promoting adoption, strengthening interoperability
and expanding the availability of citizen-centric digital health services.
The first day of the Chintan Shivir concluded with a presentation by AIIMS, New Delhi on the
implementation of the Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS), highlighting the role of Artificial
Intelligence in supporting evidence-based clinical decision-making and strengthening healthcare delivery.
The Chintan Shivir will continue on 18th July 2026 with further deliberations on health financing,
programme implementation, digital health adoption, data analytics, innovation and best practices under
AB PM-JAY and ABDM.
****
SR
HFW/NHA Chintan Shivir on AB PM-JAY and ABDM/17July2026/2
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