Ayushman Card Apply Online 2026: Medical treatment can become expensive, especially when a family faces an unexpected illness or hospitalisation. To reduce the financial burden of healthcare, the Government of India operates the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
Under this scheme, eligible families can receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year for specified hospitalisation treatments at empanelled government and private hospitals.
An Ayushman card helps eligible beneficiaries access the scheme's healthcare benefits.
If your name is included in the beneficiary database but you have not yet received your card, you may be able to complete the required verification through an official online platform or with assistance at an authorised centre.
Here is how the application process works, which documents may be needed, and what benefits the scheme provides.
What Is the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Scheme?
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is a government-funded health assurance programme designed to improve access to hospital treatment for eligible beneficiaries.
The scheme provides an annual health cover of ₹5 lakh per eligible family for covered secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
The coverage is generally available on a family-floater basis, meaning eligible family members share the annual coverage amount.
Treatment is provided through empanelled hospitals according to the applicable package rates, eligibility conditions, and scheme rules.
The programme aims to reduce the need for families to pay large hospital bills from their own savings.
However, not every person automatically qualifies for an Ayushman card.
Eligibility is determined under the relevant PM-JAY beneficiary criteria, applicable state arrangements, and special categories covered by the government.
1. How to Apply for an Ayushman Card Online
Eligible beneficiaries can use the official National Health Authority beneficiary portal to complete supported verification and card-generation procedures.
Follow these steps:
- Open the official website at https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/.
- Select the beneficiary login option.
- Enter your mobile number and complete the required OTP verification.
- Select the relevant state and scheme details.
- Search for your name or family details using the available search options.
- If your record appears and card generation is permitted, select the appropriate beneficiary.
- Complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC or another supported verification process.
- Review the details and submit the request.
- Once verification and approval are completed, download the Ayushman card if available.
The exact options shown on the portal may vary depending on the beneficiary's state, verification status, and applicable scheme.
Submitting information does not automatically establish eligibility.
2. Can You Make an Ayushman Card Using the Ayushman App?
The National Health Authority also provides an official Ayushman mobile application for supported beneficiary services.
Eligible users can access available facilities such as eligibility checks, beneficiary verification, and card-related services through the application.
To begin, download the official Ayushman App from a trusted app store and verify that it is published by the authorised government agency.
After opening the application, follow the login and verification instructions.
Search for your beneficiary details and complete the available e-KYC procedure.
If the application confirms eligibility and the required verification is successful, the card may become available for download.
Users should remember that application features can change, and some requests may require additional verification.
3. How to Get an Ayushman Card Offline
People who do not have access to a smartphone or internet connection can seek assistance through authorised service centres.
Common Service Centres (CSCs) and Ayushman help desks at participating hospitals may provide assistance with beneficiary identification and card-related procedures.
Step 1: Visit an authorised centre
Go to a participating CSC or an authorised Ayushman help desk.
Ask the operator to check whether your details appear in the eligible beneficiary database.
Step 2: Provide the required information
Share the necessary identification and family details with the authorised operator.
You may be asked to provide Aadhaar or other supporting documents according to the verification requirements.
Step 3: Complete identity verification
The operator will guide you through the applicable authentication or e-KYC process.
Additional information may be required if your beneficiary record needs verification.
Step 4: Obtain your card
After successful verification and approval, the Ayushman card can be generated through the authorised system.
You may receive a printed copy or be able to download the digital card, depending on the facilities available.
Keep the card safely for future hospital visits.
4. Which Documents Are Required for an Ayushman Card?
Document requirements can vary depending on the beneficiary category and verification procedure.
Applicants may need the following:
- Aadhaar card or other accepted identity information.
- Mobile number for applicable verification and communication.
- Ration card or family identification details, where required.
- Other supporting documents requested during beneficiary verification.
It is important to provide accurate details that match the relevant beneficiary records.
If there is a mismatch in personal information, additional verification may be necessary.
Applicants should follow the instructions provided by the official portal or authorised operator.
5. What Benefits Do Ayushman Card Holders Receive?
Eligible Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries can access several important healthcare benefits.
₹5 lakh annual health cover: The scheme provides up to ₹5 lakh per eligible family per year for covered hospitalisation services.
Cashless treatment: Eligible treatment packages can be accessed without paying the covered hospitalisation charges upfront at empanelled hospitals.
Government and private hospitals: Beneficiaries can receive covered treatment at participating public and private hospitals.
Specified medical procedures: The scheme covers a range of eligible secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation packages.
Financial protection: Coverage can help reduce the burden of expensive hospital treatment on eligible households.
The exact benefits depend on the approved treatment package, scheme conditions, and hospital eligibility.
6. Can Senior Citizens Aged 70 and Above Get an Ayushman Card?
An important expansion of Ayushman Bharat provides health coverage for senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of income, under the applicable Ayushman Vay Vandana arrangements.
Eligible senior citizens can complete the prescribed registration and verification process to obtain their card.
The coverage arrangements may differ depending on whether the senior citizen's family is already enrolled in PM-JAY.
For this reason, applicants should check the specific benefits and conditions applicable to their category.
Senior citizens and their families can use the official beneficiary portal or seek assistance through authorised channels.
7. Important Precautions While Applying for an Ayushman Card
Applicants should be careful when sharing personal information during the registration process.
Fraudsters sometimes misuse the names of government schemes to collect money or sensitive details.
Remember these important points:
- Having an Aadhaar card does not automatically make someone eligible for PM-JAY.
- Always verify your name in the official beneficiary database.
- Use the official Ayushman portal, authorised application, or recognised assistance centre.
- Do not share OTPs with unknown callers or agents.
- Avoid making payments to unauthorised individuals promising guaranteed approval.
- Confirm that a hospital is empanelled before planning treatment under the scheme.
Ayushman card generation for eligible beneficiaries is intended to be free through authorised arrangements. Be cautious if someone demands money merely to create the card.
8. Where to Get Help for Ayushman Card Registration
Beneficiaries who face difficulties during registration, verification, or card downloading can contact the official Ayushman Bharat support channels.
Official beneficiary portal: https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/
National Health Authority website: https://nha.gov.in/
Ayushman Bharat helpline: 14555
The helpline can provide guidance about eligibility, scheme services, and available assistance.
Beneficiaries may also contact an authorised Ayushman help desk at a participating hospital.
Final Words
The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme offers valuable financial protection to eligible families by covering specified hospitalisation expenses of up to ₹5 lakh annually.
Those who have not yet received their Ayushman card can check their eligibility through the official beneficiary portal or Ayushman App.
People who need assistance can approach an authorised CSC or hospital help desk.
Before applying, confirm your eligibility, keep the required identification details ready, and complete verification only through official channels.
A valid Ayushman card can help eligible beneficiaries access covered medical treatment when they need it most.
