Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 13: The National Health Authority (NHA) has received more than 2,600 registrations for the AB PM-JAY Auto-Adjudication Hackathon 2026, an initiative aimed at enhancing digital innovation in healthcare claims processing, the government announced on Monday.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the flagship Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) currently handles nearly 50,000 claims each day across more than 1,900 treatment packages. However, only about 15–20 percent of these claims are processed automatically, underscoring the need for more scalable, technology-driven solutions.

The hackathon is designed to develop advanced systems for automated claims adjudication using artificial intelligence, fraud detection tools, standardised documentation, and real-time verification. The goal is to improve efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in claim settlements.

Registrations for the event, which began on March 31, remain open until April 13. Participants—including students, researchers, developers, startups, and professionals—can apply through the official portal.

To assist participants, the NHA will host a three-part masterclass series starting April 13, offering guidance on claims processing systems and potential solution approaches. These sessions are scheduled for April 13, 15, and 16, from 2 pm to 4 pm.

The competition will conclude with a two-day offline finale on May 8–9 at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), where shortlisted teams will present their solutions before a panel of experts from healthcare, technology, and public policy.

Winners will receive cash prizes of ?5 lakh, ?3 lakh, and ?2 lakh for each problem statement, along with opportunities for potential collaboration with the NHA.

The initiative forms part of the government’s broader push to strengthen digital health infrastructure and improve service delivery under the AB PM-JAY scheme.