Ayushman Card 2026: Quick Overview

What Is an Ayushman Card?

An Ayushman Card is a beneficiary identification card issued under AB PM-JAY. It helps an empanelled hospital confirm that a person is listed as an eligible beneficiary and may receive treatment under the scheme’s approved packages.

The card is not the same as an ordinary private health insurance policy. It operates under a government-funded health assurance programme and is primarily intended to provide eligible beneficiaries with access to secondary and tertiary hospitalisation services.

The National Health Authority manages AB PM-JAY at the national level, while State Health Agencies handle many state-level implementation activities. Eligible beneficiaries may use the card at participating empanelled hospitals, including hospitals outside their home district or state, subject to scheme rules.

Main Benefits of the Ayushman Card

1. Health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh

AB PM-JAY provides eligible families with health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for listed secondary and tertiary hospitalisation services. The benefit is generally offered on a family-floater basis and may be used by eligible family members, subject to applicable rules and the remaining annual coverage.

2. Cashless treatment

Treatment under an approved package is intended to be cashless at the point of service. The empanelled hospital processes the eligible package through the PM-JAY system rather than asking the beneficiary to arrange the entire covered amount.

3. Government and private hospitals

The scheme operates through a network of empanelled government and private hospitals. A hospital must be listed under the scheme, and the required speciality or package must be available at that hospital.

4. Eligible pre-existing conditions

Eligible pre-existing conditions are covered from the first day under applicable PM-JAY packages. There is no separate waiting period similar to the waiting period commonly found in many private insurance policies.

5. Pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses

PM-JAY may cover eligible pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation expenses connected to an approved package, including applicable diagnostics and medicines.

6. No general restriction on eligible family size

For families covered under the regular PM-JAY framework, there is generally no restriction on family size, age or gender. However, each family member must be correctly identified and verified in the beneficiary system.

7. Portability across India

An eligible beneficiary may use PM-JAY benefits at an empanelled hospital in another participating state. This may help migrant workers, students, families living away from their permanent residence and people seeking specialised treatment elsewhere.

Who Is Eligible for an Ayushman Card?

Ayushman Card eligibility is generally determined through government beneficiary databases and applicable central or state scheme criteria. The original PM-JAY framework identified eligible rural and urban families using deprivation, vulnerability and occupational information.

States may use additional approved databases or operate converged state health schemes. Therefore, eligibility should always be checked through the official beneficiary system.

A person should not assume eligibility only because they:

• Have a ration card
• Hold an Aadhaar card
• Belong to a low-income family
• Have a BPL card
• Are unemployed
• Live in a rural area
• Previously received another government benefit

These documents may help with identification or verification, but the beneficiary must normally be found in the applicable database.

Senior citizens aged 70 years and above

The government expanded AB PM-JAY health coverage to senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income. Eligible senior citizens can create an Ayushman Vay Vandana Card through the official beneficiary system.

Senior citizens should check the latest instructions because the benefit structure and card-creation process may differ depending on whether the family is already covered under PM-JAY or another government health scheme.

How to Check Ayushman Card Eligibility Online

The official PM-JAY beneficiary portal can be used to search for beneficiary details. The exact buttons and search options may change, but the general process is as follows:

1. Open the official PM-JAY beneficiary portal.
2. Select the beneficiary login option.
3. Enter an active mobile number.
4. Complete the captcha verification.
5. Verify the mobile number using the OTP.
6. Select the applicable scheme and state.
7. Search using Aadhaar, family ID, PM-JAY ID, ration card details or another supported option.
8. Review the displayed family and member information.
9. Check whether the required member is marked as eligible.
10. Complete eKYC if card creation is available.

How to Apply for or Create an Ayushman Card

There is an important difference between applying for inclusion in the scheme and creating a card. For most regular PM-JAY categories, the beneficiary must already be included in an approved government database.

Card creation verifies the identity of an eligible person; it does not automatically make an ineligible person eligible.

An eligible beneficiary may create the card through:

• The official PM-JAY beneficiary portal
• The official Ayushman mobile app
• An authorised Common Service Centre
• An Ayushman help desk at an empanelled hospital
• Another authorised state-level assistance centre

Online card creation process

1. Log in to the official beneficiary portal.
2. Select the state and applicable scheme.
3. Search for the eligible family.
4. Select the family member whose card is required.
5. Start the eKYC process.
6. Complete the available identity-verification method.
7. Check the personal details carefully.
8. Submit the card-creation request.
9. Wait for verification if the card is not approved immediately.
10. Download the card when the download option becomes available.

Documents Commonly Required

The documents or information requested may depend on the state, beneficiary category and verification method.

Applicants should provide only genuine documents. Incorrect identity, age or family information may cause rejection, delay or problems during hospital admission.

What Is Ayushman Card eKYC?

eKYC means electronic Know Your Customer. It is used to verify that the person requesting the Ayushman Card is the same person listed in the beneficiary database.

Depending on the available system, verification may involve:

• Aadhaar OTP
• Face authentication
• Biometric authentication
• Approved non-Aadhaar KYC
• Verification by an authorised operator

Before submitting eKYC, verify the spelling of the name, age, gender and family details. A mismatch between documents and the beneficiary record may delay card approval.

How to Download an Ayushman Card

Once an eligible member’s identity has been verified and the card is approved, it may be downloaded from the beneficiary portal or accessed through the official Ayushman App.

General download process

1. Log in to the official beneficiary portal.
2. Select the state and scheme.
3. Search for the beneficiary family.
4. Open the approved member’s details.
5. Select the Ayushman Card download option.
6. Complete any required authentication.
7. Save the card as a PDF or print a copy.

A digital copy may be useful, but beneficiaries should also keep a printed copy whenever possible. The hospital may perform fresh identity verification before approving treatment.

If the download option is not visible, check whether:

• eKYC is pending
• The card request is under verification
• The family member has not been selected
• There is a mismatch in beneficiary details
• The portal is experiencing a temporary issue

How to Find an Ayushman Card Hospital

Treatment benefits are available only through hospitals empanelled for the applicable scheme and treatment package.

The official PM-JAY hospital search system allows users to search empanelled hospitals using filters such as state, district, hospital type and speciality.

Steps to search for a hospital

1. Open the official empanelled hospital search page.
2. Select the state.
3. Select the district.
4. Choose the hospital type if required.
5. Select the required speciality.
6. Complete the captcha.
7. Review the hospital list.
8. Contact the hospital before travelling.

Always call the hospital to confirm:

• Whether it is currently empanelled
• Whether the required speciality is available
• Whether the treatment package is active
• Whether prior authorisation is required
• Which documents must be carried
• Whether emergency admission is available

Which Treatments Are Covered?

PM-JAY covers approved secondary and tertiary hospitalisation packages. Depending on medical necessity, empanelment and package availability, covered areas may include:

• General medicine
• General surgery
• Cardiology
• Orthopaedics
• Oncology
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Paediatrics
• Gynaecology
• Critical care
• Day-care procedures
• Diagnostic services connected to an approved package

Approved packages may include applicable costs such as medicines, diagnostic tests, physician fees, surgeon fees, room charges, operation theatre expenses and ICU charges.

How to Use the Ayushman Card at a Hospital

1. Select an empanelled hospital with the required speciality.
2. Carry the Ayushman Card and an accepted photo identity document.
3. Visit the PM-JAY or Ayushman help desk.
4. Ask the Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitra to verify eligibility.
5. Provide the required medical documents and test reports.
6. Allow the hospital to check whether an eligible package is available.
7. Complete beneficiary authentication.
8. Wait for pre-authorisation where required.
9. Check which services are covered before admission.
10. Keep the discharge summary, prescriptions and related documents.

Empanelled hospitals are expected to maintain a beneficiary help desk where Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras assist with verification, admission and scheme procedures.

Ayushman Card for People Aged 70 and Above

Senior citizens aged 70 years or above can check eligibility for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card through the official beneficiary portal.

The 70-plus expansion is based on age rather than the regular income-based or deprivation-based beneficiary categories. Age and identity verification may be required.

A senior citizen already covered through a family’s PM-JAY entitlement should review the applicable benefit arrangement carefully because it may differ from that of a newly enrolled 70-plus beneficiary.

Ayushman Card and ABHA Card Are Not the Same

Many people confuse the Ayushman Card with the ABHA Card, but they serve different purposes.

Creating an ABHA number does not automatically make a person eligible for PM-JAY benefits.

Common Ayushman Card Problems

Beneficiary name is not found

Check the spelling, state, scheme, family ID and selected search method. Search using another supported option or visit an authorised centre.

Read: What to do if your name is not in the Ayushman Card list.

Aadhaar details do not match

Differences in name, date of birth or gender can cause verification problems. Check which record requires correction before repeating eKYC.

Read: Ayushman Card correction process.

OTP is not received

Confirm the mobile number, network connection and whether the number is linked to the selected verification method. Wait before requesting multiple OTPs.

eKYC is pending

A pending request may require additional verification or operator approval. Check the status later or contact an authorised support centre.

Card is approved but cannot be downloaded

Log in again, select the correct family member and check the card status. Temporary portal issues may also affect downloads.

Hospital refuses treatment

Confirm that the hospital is currently empanelled and that the required speciality and package are available. Contact the hospital’s Ayushman help desk or the national helpline if an eligible service is being denied.

Read: What to do if a hospital does not accept an Ayushman Card.

Ayushman Card Helpline and Complaint Support

The national PM-JAY toll-free helpline number is:

14555

The helpline may provide information about scheme benefits, beneficiary support, empanelled hospitals and grievance procedures.

When submitting a complaint, keep the following information ready:

• Beneficiary name
• PM-JAY or Ayushman Card number
• Registered mobile number
• Hospital name and location
• Date of admission or visit
• Treatment or package details
• Receipt or payment evidence
• Description of the problem
• Complaint reference number

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

The Ayushman Card can provide significant financial protection to eligible families requiring hospital treatment. Before visiting a hospital, beneficiaries should confirm eligibility, complete eKYC, download the card and verify that the selected hospital offers the required PM-JAY package.

Use only official government systems for beneficiary searches, card creation and hospital verification. Avoid websites or agents promising guaranteed approval in exchange for payment.