Ayushman Bharat Card 2026: How to Apply, Download & Use

Medical emergencies have a way of arriving without warning — and in India, a single major hospitalisation can wipe out years of savings. That's the exact problem Ayushman Bharat was built to solve.

If your family is eligible, you get ₹5 lakh per year in health coverage — completely free. No premium. No paperwork at the hospital. Just walk in, show your card, and get treated.

But here's the problem: millions of eligible families still haven't claimed their card. Some don't know they qualify. Some got confused by the process and gave up. This guide will walk you through everything — checking eligibility, applying, downloading the card, and actually using it when you need it.

What is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme. Launched in 2018, it provides:

• ₹5 lakh health cover per family per year
• Cashless treatment at government and private empanelled hospitals
• Coverage for 1,929+ medical procedures including surgery, ICU, chemotherapy, dialysis, and more
• Pre and post hospitalisation expenses covered (up to 3 days before and 15 days after)
• No cap on family size — the entire family is covered under one card
• Portable across India — use it in any empanelled hospital anywhere in the country

This is not a reimbursement scheme — you don't pay and claim later. Treatment is cashless at the hospital from day one.

Who is Eligible for Ayushman Bharat?

Eligibility is based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data and state government lists. You don't apply for eligibility — either your family is already in the list, or it isn't.

Automatically Eligible (Rural Families)

If your family falls into any of these categories in the SECC data, you're likely eligible:

• Families with no permanent house (living in kutcha house with one room)
• Families with no adult member aged 16–59
• Female-headed households with no adult male member aged 16–59
• Families with a disabled member and no able-bodied adult earner
• SC/ST households
• Landless agricultural labourers with manual casual labour as primary income

Automatically Eligible (Urban Families)

Urban workers in these occupations are covered:

• Rag pickers, beggars, domestic workers
• Street vendors, cobblers, hawkers
• Construction workers, plumbers, masons, painters
• Washermen, sanitation workers, sweepers
• Home-based artisans, handicraft workers
• Transport workers — drivers, conductors, helpers
• Shop workers, delivery assistants, peons, security guards

Also Covered

• All RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana) beneficiaries are included
• Many state governments have extended coverage beyond SECC — check your state's merged scheme (e.g., Maharashtra's Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, Delhi's merged scheme)

Step 1 — Check If You Are Eligible

Before applying for the card, first verify your eligibility.

Online Method:

1. Go to pmjay.gov.in
2. Click "Am I Eligible?"
3. Enter your mobile number → get OTP → verify
4. Enter your State, then search by:
   • Name + Date of Birth + Mobile
   • Name + Mobile Number
   • Name + Ration Card Number
   • RSBY URN Number
5. If your family is in the database, it will show your details

By Calling:

• Call 14555 (toll-free) and ask if your name is in the PM-JAY beneficiary list

At the Hospital:

• Any Ayushman Mitra (help desk) at an empanelled hospital can check your eligibility for free

If your name appears — great, move to the next step. If not, check whether your state has its own extended scheme that might cover you.

Step 2 — How to Apply and Get the Ayushman Bharat Card

Getting the card is straightforward. You don't need to fill long forms or submit documents at a government office.

Method 1 — Ayushman App (Easiest)

1. Download "Ayushman App" from the Google Play Store
2. Open the app → click "Beneficiary"
3. Log in with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
4. Verify with OTP
5. Your family details and eligibility will appear
6. Select your name → click "Download Card"
7. Complete eKYC — either OTP-based (if mobile linked to Aadhaar) or face authentication via the app camera
8. Your Ayushman card is generated and ready to download

Method 2 — Common Service Centre (CSC)

1. Visit your nearest CSC / Jan Seva Kendra
2. Carry: Aadhaar card + Ration card (if available) + Mobile number
3. The operator will verify your eligibility and complete biometric eKYC
4. The card is printed on the spot or sent to your registered mobile

Method 3 — Empanelled Hospital Help Desk

Every empanelled hospital has an Ayushman Mitra — a dedicated help desk. You can:

1. Walk in and ask the Ayushman Mitra to check your eligibility
2. If eligible, they'll complete the eKYC and generate your card right there
3. This is particularly useful if you need treatment urgently and don't have the card yet

Step 3 — How to Download Your Ayushman Card Online

If you're already registered and just need to download or reprint your card:

1. Go to beneficiary.nha.gov.in
2. Click "Login" → select "Beneficiary"
3. Enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
4. Verify with OTP
5. Your family member list will appear
6. Click on your name → "Download Card"
7. Complete face authentication or OTP verification
8. The card downloads as a PDF — save it and print it

The card has your name, photo, Ayushman ID, and a QR code. Keep a printed copy and a photo on your phone — hospitals accept both.

What Does the Ayushman Card Cover?

The scheme covers a wide range of medical procedures across 1,929 packages. Here's a broad look at what's included:

Covered ✓

• Surgery — heart surgery, knee replacement, hip replacement, cataract, appendix, hernia, and more
• Cancer treatment — chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
• Dialysis — kidney failure treatment covered per session
• ICU and ventilator charges
• Maternity and newborn care — delivery, C-section, neonatal ICU
• Mental health hospitalisation
• COVID-19 treatment (as per government guidelines)
• Pre-hospitalisation diagnostics (up to 3 days before admission)
• Post-hospitalisation follow-up (up to 15 days after discharge)
• Medicines and consumables during hospitalisation
• Transport allowance — ₹100 to ₹300 per visit (in some states)

Not Covered ✗

• OPD (Outpatient) consultations — routine doctor visits are not covered
• Cosmetic surgery unless medically required
• Dental procedures (unless from injury/accident)
• Drug de-addiction treatment
• Organ transplant (donor costs)
• Fertility treatments
• Procedures not in the approved 1,929 package list

How to Use the Card at a Hospital

This is where most people get confused. Here's exactly what happens when you go to a hospital with your Ayushman card:

Step 1 — Find an empanelled hospital (government or private). Search on pmjay.gov.in → "Find Hospital" or use the Ayushman app.

Step 2 — Go to the hospital's Ayushman Mitra desk (not the regular reception — look for the specific PM-JAY help desk).

Step 3 — Show your Ayushman card (printed or on phone) + Aadhaar card.

Step 4 — The Ayushman Mitra scans your card, verifies your identity via OTP or biometric, and checks the procedure you need is covered.

Step 5 — If approved, you are admitted as a cashless patient. You pay nothing — not for the bed, surgery, medicines, or doctor fees (within the scheme limits).

Step 6 — At discharge, the hospital directly claims reimbursement from the government. You walk out without paying a bill.

Important: Always insist on going to the Ayushman Mitra desk first. Some hospital staff at the general reception may not be aware of the process or may direct you to pay first. The Ayushman Mitra is specifically trained to handle PM-JAY cases.

How to Find Empanelled Hospitals Near You

Not every hospital accepts the Ayushman card — only empanelled ones do.

1. Go to pmjay.gov.in → "Find Hospital"
2. Select your State → District → Speciality
3. A list of empanelled hospitals with their address and contact will appear

You can also call 14555 and ask for empanelled hospitals near your location.

In most districts, government hospitals (District Hospital, CHC, PHC) are empanelled by default. Private hospitals vary — always confirm before going.

Common Problems & How to Fix Them

Ayushman Bharat vs State Health Schemes

Many states run their own health schemes alongside PM-JAY. In several states, both schemes are merged — meaning your Ayushman card works for both, and your coverage can effectively be higher:

Check your state health department website or call 14555 to know what applies in your state.

Important Documents to Keep Ready

When going to a hospital for Ayushman treatment, carry these:

1. Ayushman card (printed or digital)
2. Aadhaar card (original)
3. Ration card (if available — helps with family verification)
4. Doctor's referral / prescription if it's a planned procedure
5. Previous medical records related to the condition being treated

Ayushman Bharat Helpline & Contact

• PM-JAY Helpline: 14555 (toll-free, 24×7)
• Official Website: pmjay.gov.in
• Beneficiary Portal: beneficiary.nha.gov.in
• App: Ayushman App on Google Play Store
• Email: pmjay@nha.gov.in

If a hospital is denying cashless treatment despite your valid card, or asking for money illegally, call 14555 immediately. There are strict penalties for hospitals that overcharge PM-JAY patients.

The Bigger Picture

₹5 lakh in health coverage sounds like a lot — and for most illnesses, it genuinely is. A bypass surgery that costs ₹2–3 lakh in a private hospital, a dialysis programme running ₹10,000/month, a cancer treatment package — all covered without the family having to sell land or take loans.

The scheme isn't perfect. OPD visits aren't covered. Not every hospital is empanelled. And getting the card itself can be a hassle if your mobile isn't linked to Aadhaar.

But for families who qualify, this card is arguably the most valuable government document you can carry — more than your ration card, more than your voter ID. Get it, keep it safe, and make sure every eligible member of your family has theirs.

Last updated: June 2026. Scheme details are based on official NHA guidelines. Visit pmjay.gov.in or call 14555 for the most current information.