Ayushman Bharat Card 2026 — Apply, Eligibility & Hospital Guide

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) provides free health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year at empaneled government and private hospitals. It's the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme, covering 50+ crore Indians from low-income families.

Who Is Eligible for Ayushman Bharat?

Eligibility is based on SECC 2011 (Socio-Economic and Caste Census) data:

Rural Families (PMJAY):

• Scheduled caste / Scheduled tribe families
• Families with no adult member between ages 16–59
• Female-headed households with no adult male
• Families with a disabled member
• Manual scavenger families
• Bonded labour families
• Families without shelter / kachha (non-pucca) house

Urban Families (PMJAY):

• Ragpickers, domestic workers, construction workers
• Street vendors, cobblers, hawkers, other service workers
• Plumbers, masons, electricians, washermen, home-based workers
• Beggars and dependents

AB-PMJAY (2024 expansion):

• Senior citizens aged 70+ are now also eligible regardless of income (new 2024 addition)

Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Card

Major diseases covered: Cancer treatment, heart surgery, orthopedic procedures, kidney dialysis, neurosurgery, maternity (complex), cataract, joint replacement — and 1,900 more.

Check Ayushman Bharat Eligibility

Method 1: Online

1. Go to beneficiary.nha.gov.in
2. Enter mobile number → OTP
3. Enter Aadhaar number → OTP on Aadhaar-linked mobile
4. Eligibility status shown

Method 2: Toll-free Helpline

• Call 14555 or 1800-111-565 (PMJAY helpline)
• Provide: Name, Aadhaar, SECC details → Agent checks eligibility

Method 3: PMJAY App

• Download PMJAY Mitra App (or similar state-specific app)
• Enter Aadhaar → Check eligibility

Apply for Ayushman Card — How to Get It

At Ayushman Mitra Kendra / Common Service Centre (CSC):

1. Visit nearest Ayushman Mitra (at hospitals) or CSC (Jan Seva Kendra)
2. Carry: Aadhaar card + family ration card (or SECC data reference)
3. Ayushman Mitra verifies eligibility
4. Biometric authentication (fingerprint/OTP)
5. Ayushman Card issued immediately (digital format)
6. Physical card optionally printed

At Empaneled Hospital:

1. Visit any PMJAY-empaneled hospital
2. Ask for "Ayushman Mitra" at the hospital counter
3. They verify eligibility + issue card + get you admitted

Download Ayushman Card Online

If already registered:

1. beneficiary.nha.gov.in → Login with mobile OTP
2. View + download your Ayushman Card (PDF)
3. Store digitally — no physical card needed for cashless treatment

How to Use Ayushman Bharat for Treatment

1. Visit any PMJAY-empaneled hospital (government or private)
2. Show Ayushman Card at hospital counter
3. Hospital verifies on PMJAY portal
4. Cashless treatment authorized up to ₹5 lakh
5. Hospital bills directly to PMJAY — you pay nothing

Find empaneled hospitals: pmjay.gov.in → "Find Hospital" → Enter location → All empaneled hospitals listed.

Ayushman Bharat — Senior Citizens (70+)

The 2024 expansion added senior citizens (70+) regardless of income:

• AB PM-JAY Senior Citizen scheme: ₹5 lakh coverage
• Existing AB-PMJAY family members: ₹5 lakh (existing) + ₹5 lakh for senior = ₹10 lakh for senior citizen in PMJAY family
• How to apply: beneficiary.nha.gov.in → Senior Citizen application
• Aadhaar-based verification

State-Specific Ayushman Bharat Extensions

Many states have their own top-up schemes:

Delhi and some states have separate schemes — AB-PMJAY eligibility rules apply for national scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm eligible per SECC but not getting card — why? If eligible but card not generating: (1) Aadhaar linkage pending — link Aadhaar at CSC, (2) Name/DOB mismatch between Aadhaar and SECC records — visit CSC for correction, (3) Call PMJAY helpline 14555.

Can I use Ayushman Bharat card outside my home state? Yes — AB-PMJAY is portable across India. Show your card at any empaneled hospital in any state. Hospital verifies online — cashless treatment works pan-India.

I'm not in SECC 2011 — any way to get Ayushman Bharat? For those not in SECC: Check your state scheme (many states have broader coverage). Senior citizens (70+) are now separately eligible. BPL cardholders may be added in some states. Check pmjay.gov.in for latest inclusions.

What if treatment costs exceed ₹5 lakh? For the additional amount: Private hospitals may charge you directly. For government hospitals: Treatment continues without additional cost (government bears extra). Consider super top-up private insurance for critical illnesses if you anticipate high-cost treatment.

Ayushman Bharat coverage — does it include all medicines, tests? Coverage includes surgery, hospitalization, medicines for the covered condition during the hospital stay, post-hospitalization follow-up (3 days), and pre-hospitalization (3 days). OPD (outpatient / doctor consultation without hospitalization) is NOT covered by standard AB-PMJAY.