ABHA Health ID: How to Create Your Digital Health Account

ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account), formerly known as Health ID, is a unique 14-digit identification number that allows Indian citizens to store, access, and share their health records digitally. It is a key component of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and serves as your digital health identity across all healthcare providers in India.

What is ABHA?

ABHA is a digital health ID that:

• Provides a unique 14-digit health ID number for every citizen
• Enables digital storage of health records (prescriptions, lab reports, discharge summaries)
• Allows sharing of health records with doctors and hospitals with your consent
• Works across all ABDM-linked hospitals, clinics, and labs
• Is free to create and voluntary to use

ABHA is part of the larger vision of creating a unified digital health ecosystem in India under the National Digital Health Mission.

Key Benefits

1. Single health identity across all healthcare providers
2. Digital health records — no need to carry physical reports
3. Easy sharing — share records with any doctor/hospital instantly
4. Privacy controlled — you decide who sees your records
5. Emergency access — critical health information available in emergencies
6. Continuity of care — any doctor can view your complete health history
7. Free of cost — creating and using ABHA is completely free

Who Can Create ABHA?

• Any Indian citizen can create an ABHA
• No age restriction — parents can create ABHA for children
• Voluntary — not mandatory, but increasingly useful
• Aadhaar-based or driving license-based creation available

Documents Required

You need any one of the following:

• Aadhaar card with linked mobile number (see our Aadhaar guide)
• Driving license

That's it — ABHA creation requires minimal documentation.

How to Create ABHA: Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Aadhaar (Recommended)

1. Visit abha.abdm.gov.in
2. Click on "Create ABHA Number"
3. Select "Using Aadhaar"
4. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number
5. Agree to the terms and consent for Aadhaar verification
6. Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
7. Verify your details (name, date of birth, gender, address)
8. Create an ABHA address (e.g., yourname@abdm) — this is your shareable health ID
9. Set a password for your ABHA account
10. Your 14-digit ABHA number is generated — download and save it

Method 2: Using Driving License

1. Visit abha.abdm.gov.in
2. Click on "Create ABHA Number"
3. Select "Using Driving License"
4. Enter your driving license number and details
5. Verify via OTP or demographic matching
6. Complete profile and create ABHA address
7. Download your ABHA card

Method 3: At a Hospital/Health Facility

1. Visit any ABDM-linked hospital or health facility
2. Request ABHA creation at the registration desk
3. Provide Aadhaar or driving license
4. The hospital staff will create your ABHA
5. Collect your ABHA number and card

Method 4: Using ABHA App

1. Download the ABHA app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
2. Open the app and tap "Create ABHA"
3. Follow the Aadhaar or DL-based verification process
4. Your ABHA is created and stored in the app

How to Link Health Records

1. Login to your ABHA account at abha.abdm.gov.in or through the ABHA app
2. Visit an ABDM-linked hospital or lab
3. Share your ABHA number at registration
4. After consultation/tests, the hospital uploads records to your ABHA
5. View all linked records in your ABHA account

How to Download ABHA Card

1. Visit abha.abdm.gov.in
2. Login with your ABHA number or ABHA address
3. Go to "My Profile"
4. Click "Download ABHA Card"
5. The card contains your name, photo, ABHA number, and QR code

Important Tips

1. Keep your ABHA number safe — It's your permanent health identity
2. Use ABHA address for sharing — Share the @abdm address instead of the 14-digit number
3. Link records proactively — Ask hospitals if they are ABDM-linked and share your ABHA
4. Control consent — Always review consent requests before sharing records
5. Update profile — Keep your mobile number and address updated in ABHA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is ABHA mandatory?

No, ABHA is voluntary. However, it is increasingly required at government hospitals and Ayushman Bharat-empanelled facilities.

2. Is ABHA free?

Yes, creating and using ABHA is completely free.

3. Is ABHA the same as Ayushman Bharat card?

No. ABHA is a health ID for digital records. The Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) card is for health insurance coverage. They are separate but complementary.

4. Can I have multiple ABHA accounts?

No, each person can have only one ABHA linked to their Aadhaar.

5. Is my health data safe?

Yes, ABHA follows strict data privacy protocols. Records are shared only with your explicit consent.

6. What is an ABHA address?

ABHA address (e.g., yourname@abdm) is your shareable health ID that makes it easy to find and share records without revealing your 14-digit number.

7. Can I delete my ABHA account?

Yes, you can deactivate or delete your ABHA account through the portal or app.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. CitizenNest is not affiliated with the Government of India or NHA. Visit abha.abdm.gov.in for official details.