Ayushman Bharat Eligibility Check: How to Know If You Are Eligible

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY provides free health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. But not everyone is eligible — the scheme targets economically vulnerable families identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011. This guide explains the eligibility criteria and how to check if you qualify.

What is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme, covering over 55 crore beneficiaries across India. Key features:

• Coverage: Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year
• Cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals (see our hospital list guide)
• No premium — fully funded by the government
• No age limit — all family members are covered
• Portable — use it at any empanelled hospital in India

Who Is Eligible for Ayushman Bharat?

SECC 2011 Criteria (Primary Basis)

PM-JAY eligibility is primarily based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. The government used this census to identify deprived and vulnerable families.

Rural Families — Any ONE of These Conditions:

1. D1 — Only one room with kucha walls and kucha roof
2. D2 — No adult member between age 16-59
3. D3 — Female-headed household with no adult male member (16-59)
4. D4 — Household with a disabled member and no able-bodied adult
5. D5 — SC/ST households
6. D6 — Landless households deriving income from manual casual labour
7. D7 — Households without shelter, destitute, living on alms, manual scavenging families, primitive tribal groups, legally released bonded labourers

Urban Families — Based on Occupation:

Families where the primary breadwinner is engaged in:

• Rag picker
• Beggar
• Domestic worker
• Street vendor / cobbler / hawker
• Construction worker / plumber / mason / painter / welder / security guard / coolie
• Sweeper / sanitation worker / gardener
• Home-based worker / artisan / handicraft worker / tailor
• Transport worker (driver, conductor, helper, cart puller, rickshaw puller)
• Shop worker / assistant / peon / delivery assistant
• Electrician / mechanic / assembler / repair worker
• Washer-man / chowkidar

Additional Categories

Beyond SECC 2011, the following are also covered:

• All existing RSBY beneficiaries (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana)
• Families included by state governments under state-specific add-on schemes
• Some states have expanded coverage to include additional categories

How to Check Your Eligibility Online

Method 1: mera.pmjay.gov.in (Official Portal)

1. Visit mera.pmjay.gov.in
2. Enter your mobile number
3. Enter the CAPTCHA code
4. Click Generate OTP
5. Enter the OTP received on your mobile
6. Search by any of these:
   • Name (as per ration card)
   • Ration card number
   • Mobile number
   • RSBY URN (if you had an RSBY card)
7. Select your State
8. Click Search
9. The portal will show if your family is in the PM-JAY beneficiary list

Method 2: Beneficiary Identification Portal

1. Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in
2. Search using your Aadhaar number or other details
3. Check your family's beneficiary status

Method 3: Call the Helpline

• Dial 14555 (toll-free, 24x7)
• Provide your name, Aadhaar number, or ration card number
• The helpline will confirm your eligibility

Method 4: Visit a Common Service Centre (CSC)

• Go to the nearest CSC with your Aadhaar card and ration card
• The CSC operator will check your eligibility and generate your Ayushman card if eligible

Family ID Check: Verifying All Members

PM-JAY covers the entire family — not just one individual. To check all family members:

1. Go to mera.pmjay.gov.in
2. Search using any family member's details
3. The result will show the complete family list with member names and their PM-JAY ID
4. Verify that all family members are listed
5. Note down the PMJAY Family ID / HH ID for future reference

How to Add Missing Family Members

If some family members are not listed in the PM-JAY database:

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

First confirm that the family is eligible (at least one member should appear in the SECC/PMJAY database).

Step 2: Visit a CSC or Empanelled Hospital

Go to the nearest Common Service Centre or empanelled hospital with Ayushman Mitra.

Step 3: Carry Required Documents

• Aadhaar card of the missing member (original)
• Family ration card showing the member's name
• Existing PM-JAY card of any family member
• Any other government ID for verification

Step 4: Request Addition

• The CSC operator or Ayushman Mitra will verify the member's identity
• They will submit an addition request in the PM-JAY system
• The member will be added after verification by the state nodal agency

Step 5: Generate Card

Once approved, generate the Ayushman card for the new member through eKYC at the CSC.

Timeline: Addition usually takes 7-15 days after verification.

What If You're Not Eligible?

If your family is not in the SECC 2011 list:

• You cannot directly apply for PM-JAY — it is not an application-based scheme
• Check if your state has an expanded scheme that covers additional families
• Some states (like Rajasthan, Karnataka, etc.) have extended coverage beyond SECC criteria
• You may become eligible if the government updates the beneficiary database

State-Specific Expansions

Several states have expanded Ayushman Bharat coverage:

• Rajasthan — Chiranjeevi Yojana (all families can register)
• Maharashtra — Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (additional categories)
• Karnataka — Arogya Karnataka (expanded coverage)
• Andhra Pradesh — Dr. YSR Aarogyasri (merged with PM-JAY)

Check your state's health scheme for additional eligibility.

Important Tips

1. Check eligibility before visiting the hospital — Use mera.pmjay.gov.in or call 14555
2. Generate your card in advance — Don't wait for a medical emergency to check eligibility
3. Ensure all family members are listed — Missing members can be added at a CSC
4. Keep Aadhaar updated — Your name in Aadhaar should match the PM-JAY database
5. PMJAY is free — Never pay anyone for eligibility check or card generation; report fraud on 14555

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do I know if I am eligible for Ayushman Bharat?

Check on mera.pmjay.gov.in using your mobile number, name, or ration card number. You can also call 14555 to verify.

Q2. Can I apply for Ayushman Bharat if I'm not in the SECC 2011 list?

PM-JAY is not application-based — eligibility is based on the SECC 2011 database. However, some states have expanded coverage. Check your state's health scheme.

Q3. Is there any income limit for Ayushman Bharat?

There is no specific income limit. Eligibility is based on deprivation and occupational criteria from the SECC 2011 census, not income tax returns or salary.

Q4. Can government employees get Ayushman Bharat card?

Generally no. Families with a government employee, those paying income tax, or those with motorised vehicles are excluded from SECC 2011 criteria. However, state expansions may differ.

Q5. My family is eligible but my name is not in the list. What should I do?

Visit the nearest CSC with your Aadhaar card, family ration card, and an existing family member's PM-JAY card. Request addition of your name to the family's PM-JAY record.

Q6. Can I check eligibility without Aadhaar?

Yes. You can search on mera.pmjay.gov.in using your name and ration card number. However, you will need Aadhaar for card generation (eKYC).

Q7. Is Ayushman Bharat available in all states?

PM-JAY is available in most states and union territories. A few states initially opted out but have their own equivalent schemes. Check pmjay.gov.in for the latest state list.

Disclaimer: CitizenNest is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the National Health Authority (NHA) or PM-JAY. Eligibility criteria are based on official PM-JAY guidelines and SECC 2011 data. Always verify on mera.pmjay.gov.in or call 14555.