NHA Launches AB PM‑JAY Auto‑Adjudication Hackathon 2026 – Boosting Digital Health & Claim Processing

The National Health Authority (NHA) has opened registrations for the AB PM‑JAY Auto‑Adjudication Hackathon 2026 , inviting innovators to design digital solutions that will streamline claim processing under the flagship health assurance scheme. Key Developments More than 2,600 participants have registered across India; registration closes on 13 April 2026 . A three‑part Masterclass Series begins on the same day, offering insights into the claims ecosystem. The offline finale will be held on 8‑9 May 2026 at IISc Bengaluru , where winning teams will present to a jury of healthcare, technology and policy experts. Cash prizes of ₹5 lakh, ₹3 lakh and ₹2 lakh are earmarked for the top solutions, along with potential collaboration with NHA. Important Facts The AB PM‑JAY processes nearly 50,000 claims daily across more than 1,900 treatment packages . Currently, only 15‑20% of claims are auto‑adjudicated, highlighting the need for a scalable, package‑agnostic solution. The hackathon seeks solutions that integrate with existing NHA systems, reduce manual effort, and employ auto‑adjudication techniques. Proposed innovations may leverage AI‑based fraud detection , standardised documentation and real‑time verification. The initiative is part of a broader digital health transformation agenda. UPSC Relevance Understanding this hackathon helps aspirants grasp how the government leverages technology to enhance public‑sector schemes. It illustrates the intersection of claims adjudication with policy goals of universal health coverage, a frequent topic in GS 2 (Polity) and GS 3 (Economy). The role of bodies like the NHA exemplifies institutional mechanisms for programme delivery. Way Forward Participants are expected to deliver modular, interoperable solutions that can be scaled nationwide. Post‑hackathon, NHA may pilot winning prototypes, integrating them into the existing AB PM‑JAY architecture to increase the auto‑adjudication share beyond the current 20%. For policymakers, the event underscores the need for continuous innovation, robust data governance, and capacity building to sustain digital health reforms.