Daily filter — 8 June 2026
5 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚕️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
West Bengal joins Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, 36th State/UT
West Bengal has become the 36th State/UT to implement **Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)**.
- The National Health Authority (NHA) signed an MoU with the Government of West Bengal on June 8, 2026.
- Approximately 1.43 crore families in West Bengal will now receive health assurance benefits.
- AB PM-JAY, launched in September 2018, is the world's largest government-funded health assurance program.
- The scheme has facilitated over 12 crore treatments worth more than ₹1.82 lakh crore.
- It covers over 62 crore people, including gig workers and senior citizens aged 70 years and above.
💡 West Bengal's June 8, 2026, MoU with NHA makes it the 36th State/UT to implement AB PM-JAY, extending benefits to 1.43 crore families.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2270375
🤰 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PMSMA: A Decade of Free Antenatal Care for Pregnant Women
The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA) completes a decade of providing free, quality antenatal care to pregnant women across India.
- PMSMA was launched on June 9, 2016, to provide free antenatal care.
- More than 7.50 crore pregnant women have received antenatal services under PMSMA.
- India's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) reduced from 130 to 87 maternal deaths per lakh live births between 2014–16 and 2022–24.
- An Extended PMSMA Strategy was launched in January 2022 for high-risk pregnancies.
💡 Remember PMSMA (launched June 2016) focuses on free antenatal care, monthly check-ups on the 9th, and significant MMR reduction.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2270486
🇪🇺 Economy · UPSC track
India maintains EU market access for agri-marine exports
India secures continued export authorization to the EU for key animal-origin products under new regulatory framework.
- India added to list of countries authorized to export aquaculture, eggs, honey, animal casings to EU.
- This allows market access beyond September 2026 under amended Regulation (EU) 2021/405.
- Revised Regulation (EU) 2026/1189 addresses Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) concerns.
- India's fisheries sector exports to EU are valued at approximately USD 1.59 billion.
💡 India's inclusion in EU Regulation 2026/1189 ensures continued market access for aquaculture, eggs, honey, animal casings post-September 2026, boosting USD 1.59 billion fisheries exports.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2270317
🤰 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PMSMA: A Decade of Safe Motherhood Celebrated Nationally
Nationwide celebrations begin on **June 9, 2026**, marking ten years of the **Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)**.
- PMSMA was launched on June 9, 2016, by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
- The scheme provides nine assured free services for pregnant women on the 9th of every month.
- A special ₹75 Commemorative Coin and a ₹5 Postal Stamp will be released.
- Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda will preside over the national launch.
- PMSMA is a pillar of the Government's RMNCH+A Strategy.
- The scheme aims to reduce the country's maternal mortality ratio (MMR).
💡 PMSMA, launched on June 9, 2016, provides nine free services monthly, celebrating its decade with a ₹75 coin and ₹5 stamp.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2270246
📊 Polity & Governance · UPSC track
Report on Datasets for State Finance Commissions Released
The **Ministry of Panchayati Raj** released a report to enhance data availability for **State Finance Commissions** and strengthen fiscal decentralisation.
- Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor, released the report on June 8, 2026.
- The report identifies essential datasets for State Finance Commissions across various dimensions.
- Key recommendations include Panchayat-level fiscal databases and a common reporting framework for SFCs.
- The report recommends CAG undertake a performance audit of 73rd Constitutional Amendment implementation.
- The Sixteenth Finance Commission has proposed an Urbanisation Premium of ₹10,000 crore.
- A performance-based grant framework of ₹87,000 crore for Panchayats linked to 2.5 per cent annual own-source revenue growth was reintroduced.
💡 The report aims to empower SFCs (Article 243-I) with better data for fiscal devolution, including new grants from the 16th Finance Commission.
Source: Ministry of Panchayati Raj · PIB PRID 2270420