**Executive Summary**
The National Health Authority (NHA) convened a two-day Chintan Shivir in Pune starting April 17, 2026, to review and accelerate the implementation of AB PM-JAY and ABDM. The event focused on streamlining health systems through technology-driven reforms, including the launch of the NHCX Strategy Paper and the NHA Digital Health Academy. Key priorities include transitioning to preventive healthcare and ensuring efficient, transparent claim processing across all States and Union Territories.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Launches and Guidelines**
* **Compendium of Guidelines:** Released to standardize and streamline the implementation of AB PM-JAY across the country.
* **NHCX Strategy Paper:** Unveiled to establish a unified and interoperable health claims ecosystem, reducing fragmentation and expediting settlements.
* **ABDM Index Reference Guidebook:** Launched to provide a structured framework for assessing ABDM implementation progress across States and Union Territories.
* **Institutional MoUs:** Agreements exchanged with CHAKRA and NABH to strengthen research, training, and institutional capacity.
**Digital and Technological Innovations**
* **NHA Digital Health Academy:** Established as a national platform to build a skilled, future-ready healthcare workforce.
* **Next-Phase Enablers:** Identified SAHI and BODH as critical initiatives for strengthening India’s digital health architecture.
* **AI and Automation:** Emphasis placed on leveraging Artificial Intelligence for healthcare delivery and implementing auto-adjudication of claims for faster, impartial processing.
* **Beneficiary Tools:** Highlighted the Ayushman App and WhatsApp chatbot as key tools for improving accessibility and ease of service for beneficiaries.
**Operational and Financial Priorities**
* **Financial Management:** Stressed the importance of prudent fund management, timely release of funds, and adherence to NHA guidelines to ensure accountability.
* **Paradigm Shift:** Called for a transition from curative-focused healthcare to a preventive and predictive model aligned with the "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision.
* **Cooperative Federalism:** Encouraged States and UTs to share best practices and innovations to strengthen nationwide healthcare delivery.
**Impact Analysis**
**State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact**
States are identified as central players in accelerating the adoption of the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) and integrating digital health services. They are responsible for localized implementation and progress monitoring.
**Action Required**
States must adopt the released guidelines, utilize the ABDM Index for performance assessment, and ensure the timely release and optimal utilization of allocated funds.
**Healthcare Workforce**
**Impact**
The workforce will be transitioned toward a technology-enabled environment, requiring new skills in digital health and data-driven delivery.
**Action Required**
Personnel must engage with the NHA Digital Health Academy for capacity building and training to align with the new digital health architecture.
**Beneficiaries**
**Impact**
Beneficiaries will experience improved accessibility, more transparent claim processing, and easier service delivery through digital interfaces.
**Action Required**
Beneficiaries are encouraged to utilize the Ayushman App and WhatsApp chatbot to avail themselves of health services and information.
Key Entities Referenced
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY): India's flagship national public health insurance scheme providing health cover to vulnerable families.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): A national initiative aimed at developing the digital backbone and integrated infrastructure for India’s healthcare ecosystem.
National Health Authority (NHA): The apex body responsible for implementing and reviewing the progress of AB PM-JAY and ABDM across India.
National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX): A transformative digital reform designed to unify and standardize the health claims ecosystem for faster and transparent settlements.
NHA Digital Health Academy: A newly launched national platform focused on capacity building and developing a future-ready digital healthcare workforce.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
NHA Convenes Two-Day Chintan Shivir in Pune
on AB PM-JAY and ABDM to review and
accelerate AB PM-JAY and ABDM
Implementation
Focus on Preventive and Technology-Driven Healthcare Will
Define Future Health Systems: Smt. Meghana Sakore-
Bordikar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Public Health,
Government of Maharashtra
NHA Unveils Guidelines, NHCX Strategy and ABDM Index to
Streamline and Standardise Implementation
New Initiatives Aim to Build Future-Ready Healthcare
Workforce and Strengthen Digital Health Architecture
NHCX Emerges as Transformative Reform for Unified Health
Claims Ecosystem
SAHI and BODH Identified as Key Enablers for Next Phase of
ABDM
Posted On: 17 APR 2026 7:33PM by PIB Delhi
The National Health Authority (NHA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India,
convened a two-day Chintan Shivir in Pune on the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The Shivir brings together senior officials from the Central and State Governments to
undertake a comprehensive review of progress, deliberate on emerging priorities, and chart a forward-looking roadmap for
strengthening implementation of these flagship health initiatives.The inaugural session was addressed by Smt. Meghana Sakore Bordikar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Public Health,
Government of Maharashtra. Emphasising a vision of preventive, inclusive, and technology-enabled healthcare, she highlighted
the importance of early awareness and prevention. She also underscored Maharashtra’s expanding initiatives in women’s health
and the growing role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in healthcare delivery. Reaffirming the State’s commitment
to AB PM-JAY and ABDM, she expressed confidence that Maharashtra will set new benchmarks in implementation.
The first day of the Chintan Shivir witnessed several significant announcements and strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening
institutional capacity and advancing India’s digital health ecosystem. These included the release of a comprehensive
Compendium of Guidelines to streamline and standardise AB PM-JAY implementation, the unveiling of the NHCX Strategy
Paper to enable a unified and interoperable health claims ecosystem, and the release of the ABDM Index Reference Guidebook
to facilitate structured assessment of ABDM implementation across States and Union Territories. In a major step towards
capacity building, the NHA Digital Health Academy was launched as a national platform to develop a skilled and future-ready
healthcare workforce. Further, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged with CHAKRA (Centre for Health Applied
Knowledge and Research Autonomy) and NABH to strengthen training, research, and institutional capacity.Setting the tone for the deliberations, Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal, CEO, NHA, highlighted the pivotal role of integrated digital
platforms in enabling real-time monitoring, enhancing inter-state coordination, and ensuring scalable and efficient
implementation of health schemes. He outlined key strategic priorities, including the adoption of artificial intelligence in
healthcare, auto-adjudication of claims, advanced data analytics, accelerated ABDM adoption, and sustained capacity building
through the Digital Health Academy. Emphasising the need for a paradigm shift, he called for a transition from a predominantly
curative approach to one that is preventive and predictive, aligned with the vision of building a resilient healthcare system under
Viksit Bharat 2047.
A comprehensive, data-driven review of AB PM-JAY implementation was presented, highlighting key achievements as well as
areas requiring focused attention. The session also showcased the Ayushman App and WhatsApp chatbot, which have
significantly improved accessibility and ease of availing services for beneficiaries. Discussions on auto-adjudication
demonstrated how technology is being leveraged to enable faster, transparent, and impartial processing of claims under AB
PM-JAY.
Deliberations on ABDM emphasised the need to move beyond awareness towards sustained usage and deeper integration. The
State of Andhra Pradesh presented its innovative applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare, while Maharashtra shared
its progress under AB PM-JAY and MJPJAY, along with notable advancements in ABDM adoption, reflecting the steady
expansion of digital health services. The integration of the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) was underscored as atransformative reform aimed at unifying and standardising the health claims ecosystem, with States playing a central role in
accelerating nationwide adoption. The initiative is expected to reduce fragmentation, expedite claim settlements, and enhance
efficiency and transparency across the system. Key initiatives such as SAHI and BODH were also highlighted as critical
enablers shaping the next phase of ABDM and strengthening India’s digital health architecture.
A focused session on fund utilisation under AB PM-JAY and ABDM emphasised prudent financial management, timely release
and optimal utilisation of funds, and adherence to NHA guidelines to ensure accountability and improved outcomes.
The Chintan Shivir also provided a valuable platform for States and Union Territories to exchange experiences, share best
practices, and showcase innovations, thereby reinforcing the spirit of cooperative federalism in strengthening healthcare
delivery across the country. The first day laid a strong foundation for deeper deliberations on outcomes, innovation, and data-
driven governance, which will continue on the second day of the Shivir.
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