A medical emergency in the family can cost ₹1–5 lakh or more in hospital bills. The Ayushman Card (PM-JAY card) protects eligible families from exactly this — it gives free cashless hospital treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year at government and empanelled private hospitals across India. No fees, no agents, no middlemen.
In this complete guide you will learn everything: what the scheme covers (and what it does not), who is eligible, the exact documents needed, how to check your name in the list, how to apply with Aadhaar eKYC, how to download your card for free, how to use it at a hospital, how to fix common problems, and the special Ayushman Vay Vandana card for senior citizens aged 70+.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY – Quick Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) |
| Launched | 23 September 2018 |
| Run by | National Health Authority (NHA), Government of India |
| Benefit | Cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year |
| Type | Family floater — the ₹5 lakh limit is shared by the whole family |
| Covers | Secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation (1,900+ treatment procedures) |
| Pre-existing diseases | Covered from Day 1 — no waiting period |
| Family size limit | No cap on family size, age or gender |
| Portability | Usable at empanelled hospitals anywhere in India |
| Senior citizens 70+ | Ayushman Vay Vandana card — ₹5 lakh per year on family basis, any income |
| Card fee | Free — never pay anyone |
| Official portals | beneficiary.nha.gov.in (beneficiary) • pmjay.gov.in (scheme info) |
| Helpline | 14555 (24x7) / 1800-110-770 (Vay Vandana) |
What Is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the health insurance arm of Ayushman Bharat, run by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is the world's largest government-funded health assurance scheme, covering more than 12 crore families (about 55 crore people).
- It is not an insurance policy you buy. The government pays for your treatment — families pay nothing as premium.
- Cashless: at an empanelled hospital, you don't pay for eligible treatment. The hospital claims the cost from the government directly.
- Floor price + top-ups: the central ₹5 lakh benefit is the base; several states have merged or topped it up with their own health schemes.
- The Ayushman card is simply your identity card for the scheme — without it, hospitals can't verify you at the help desk.
What Does the Ayushman Card Cover?
PM-JAY covers 1,900+ medical and surgical procedures across 25+ specialties. Major covered treatments include:
- Heart care: bypass surgery, angioplasty, stents, valve surgery
- Orthopaedics: knee replacement, hip replacement, fracture surgeries
- Cancer care: chemotherapy, radiation, surgical oncology
- Kidney & urinary: dialysis-related procedures, urology surgeries
- Neurology & neurosurgery: stroke treatment, brain surgeries
- Maternity & child care: delivery (normal & C-section), neonatal care
- General surgery & medicine: gallbladder, hernia, appendix, cataract and hundreds more
It also covers 3 days before hospitalisation (diagnostics) and 15 days after discharge (follow-up and medicines related to the treatment).
Who Is Eligible for an Ayushman Card?
PM-JAY targets poor and vulnerable families. Eligibility is decided by the government using the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data and state government lists — not by your current income certificate.
- Families listed under PM-JAY: identified through SECC deprivation criteria — for example landless labour households, manual scavenger families, primitive tribal groups, and other vulnerable categories.
- Families added by your state: many states have expanded coverage with their own criteria and linked health schemes — so even if SECC missed you, your state list may include you.
- All senior citizens aged 70 and above: under Ayushman Vay Vandana, irrespective of income (details below).
Ayushman Vay Vandana Card for Senior Citizens (70+)
From 29 October 2024, all senior citizens aged 70 years and above get free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year on a family basis — irrespective of income, and even if the family was never in the PM-JAY list. This is the biggest expansion of the scheme and benefits crores of elderly citizens.
- Family already under PM-JAY? The senior citizen gets an extra top-up of up to ₹5 lakh per year — this top-up belongs only to members aged 70+, not shared with younger family members.
- Family not in PM-JAY? The 70+ senior can still enrol — income does not matter.
- CGHS, ECHS or CAPF members: seniors under these schemes can choose either their existing scheme or Vay Vandana — not both.
- How to enrol: through the Ayushman app or beneficiary.nha.gov.in with Aadhaar eKYC. Offline enrolment help is available at empanelled hospitals and CSC centres.
- Queries: give a missed call to 1800-110-770 for Vay Vandana assistance.
Documents Required
| Document | Needed For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar card | Identity + eKYC (mandatory) | Name must match hospital/ration records |
| Mobile number | OTP login & OTP eKYC | Aadhaar-linked mobile works best |
| Ration card / Family ID | Finding your family record | Required in many states for family search |
| Date-of-birth proof | Vay Vandana (70+ enrolment) | DOB on Aadhaar should be correct |
How to Check Eligibility & Apply Online
- Open the portal or appGo to beneficiary.nha.gov.in, or install the official Ayushman app from the Google Play Store (beware of fake lookalike apps).
- Log in as BeneficiarySelect Beneficiary, enter your mobile number and the captcha, then verify with the OTP sent to your phone.
- Search your recordSelect your scheme (PM-JAY), state and district. Then search by any one of: Aadhaar number, Family ID, PM-JAY ID, ration card number or name.
- Check the resultIf your name appears with your family details — you are eligible. If eKYC is pending, an option to complete it will show right there.
- Complete eKYCVerify with Aadhaar OTP (or face authentication in the app). Add a live photo if asked, and submit. Name and date of birth must match Aadhaar.
- Wait for approvalYour request goes for verification. Once approved, the status changes — usually within a few days — and the download option appears.
How to Download Ayushman Card (Free)
Method 1: From the website
- Log inOpen beneficiary.nha.gov.in and log in with your mobile number and OTP.
- Search your familySearch using Aadhaar, Family ID or PM-JAY ID.
- DownloadNext to your name, click Download Card, verify with Aadhaar OTP, and the card PDF saves to your device.
Method 2: From the Ayushman app
- Install and log inInstall the official Ayushman app (Google Play Store) and log in with your mobile number and OTP.
- Find your nameSearch using Family ID, Aadhaar or PM-JAY ID.
- DownloadTap Download Card and save it on your phone.
How to Use the Ayushman Card at a Hospital
- Find an empanelled hospitalUse "Find Hospitals" on pmjay.gov.in or the Ayushman app — filter by district and specialty. Treatment works only at empanelled hospitals (both government and private).
- Visit the Ayushman Mitra deskShow your Ayushman card (or even just Aadhaar if the card isn't downloaded yet) at the hospital's Ayushman/PM-JAY help desk. The Ayushman Mitra verifies eligibility in the system.
- Treatment starts cashlessAfter verification, eligible treatment is given without any payment up to your yearly ₹5 lakh limit. The hospital cannot legally ask you to pay for covered procedures — if it does, call 14555 immediately.
- Keep the discharge papersCollect your discharge summary and treatment documents — useful for follow-ups covered within 15 days.
Ayushman Card vs ABHA Card – Don't Confuse Them
| Ayushman Card (PM-JAY) | ABHA Card | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Treatment entitlement card for free hospital care | Digital health ID / health account number |
| Gives you | ₹5 lakh cashless treatment per year | A way to store & share your health records digitally |
| Who can get it | Only listed families (and 70+ seniors) | Anyone in India |
| Portal | beneficiary.nha.gov.in | abha.gov.in |
Both are made by NHA, and you can have both — but having an ABHA number alone does not give free treatment. For treatment, you need the PM-JAY card.
Common Problems & Solutions
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Name not found in the list | Try searching by Aadhaar, ration card or Family ID instead of name. Spelling differences matter. If still not found, your family may not be in the list (except 70+ seniors, who can enrol under Vay Vandana). |
| OTP not coming | Your mobile may not be linked with Aadhaar, or network is slow — wait 2 minutes and resend. If it keeps failing, do biometric eKYC at a CSC or hospital Ayushman Mitra desk. |
| eKYC done but card not approved | Approval is verified by officials and can take days to weeks. Re-check status on the portal/app every few days. If stuck long, visit a CSC with your documents. |
| Name or details wrong on card | Visit a CSC or the Ayushman Mitra desk for correction. Details must match Aadhaar — so fix Aadhaar first if the mistake is there (see our Aadhaar guide for UIDAI links). |
| Family member missing from family list | Members can be added through a CSC or Ayushman Mitra desk with Aadhaar — each member then does their own eKYC. |
| Hospital refusing the card / asking for money | Confirm it is an empanelled hospital (check on the app). Refusal or cash demands for covered treatment are violations — call 14555 and file a grievance. |
| Card PDF won't open or is too big | Re-download fresh from the portal. To reduce size for uploads, use PDFMagik. |
| Someone is charging ₹200–500 to "make" the card | The card is free. Never pay agents. Genuine offline help is at CSC/Ayushman Mitra desks; report fraud on 14555. |
Where to Get Offline Help
- CSC (Common Service Centre): for eKYC, enrolment and corrections. Find one at locator.csccloud.in.
- Ayushman Mitra desk: present in every empanelled hospital — helps with eligibility, eKYC and admissions.
- Block / District health office: for list, eligibility and grievance issues in your area.
- State PM-JAY office (SHA): each state has a State Health Agency that runs the scheme locally.
Helpline Numbers & Official Links
| Service | Contact / Link |
|---|---|
| PM-JAY 24x7 call centre | 14555 |
| Ayushman Vay Vandana (missed call) | 1800-110-770 |
| Beneficiary portal (eKYC & download) | beneficiary.nha.gov.in |
| PM-JAY main website (hospital list, packages) | pmjay.gov.in |
| National Health Authority | nha.gov.in |
| Official mobile app | Google Play Store — search "Ayushman" (by NHA) |
| CSC locator | locator.csccloud.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ayushman card free?
Yes. Making, downloading and re-downloading the Ayushman card is completely free on the official portal and app. If any agent asks for money to "make your card", it is fraud — report it on 14555.
How much treatment does the Ayushman card cover?
Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation at empanelled hospitals. The limit is a family floater — all members share it. Senior citizens 70+ in PM-JAY families get an additional top-up of up to ₹5 lakh.
Can I make an Ayushman card if I am not in the list?
Generally, only listed families are eligible. The exception: senior citizens aged 70+, who can enrol for the Vay Vandana card regardless of income and family listing.
Can every family member get a card?
Yes. Each eligible family member completes their own eKYC and gets their own card. The ₹5 lakh yearly limit is shared by the whole family.
Is the Ayushman card the same as the ABHA card?
No. ABHA is a digital health account number for storing medical records. The Ayushman (PM-JAY) card is the card for free treatment under the scheme. You can have both, but ABHA alone does not give free treatment.
Can I use the card in another state?
Yes. PM-JAY is portable — you can get cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital anywhere in India, not just your home state.
Are pre-existing diseases covered?
Yes. All pre-existing conditions are covered from Day 1 — there is no waiting period, unlike private health insurance.
How many times can I use the card in a year?
There is no fixed cap on the number of hospitalisations. The only limit is the total ₹5 lakh per family per year, which resets each year.
Does it cover OPD consultations and medicines?
Generally no. PM-JAY covers hospitalisation (secondary and tertiary care) including 3 days pre- and 15 days post-hospitalisation expenses. Routine OPD visits and medicines when not admitted are usually not covered.
I lost my card / changed my phone. What do I do?
Nothing to worry about — the card never expires. Log in again on beneficiary.nha.gov.in or the Ayushman app and download it again, free, as many times as needed.
Is Aadhaar mandatory?
Aadhaar is used for eKYC, which is how your identity is verified. If OTP eKYC is not possible, biometric eKYC with Aadhaar is done at CSC centres or Ayushman Mitra desks.
Do I have to renew the card every year?
No. There is no annual renewal or fee. Once made, the card remains valid under the scheme. The ₹5 lakh benefit limit resets automatically every year.
Can I use it at private hospitals?
Yes — at empanelled private hospitals. Check the hospital list on the app or pmjay.gov.in before admission. Non-empanelled hospitals are not covered.
How do I find which hospitals near me are covered?
Use "Find Hospitals" on pmjay.gov.in or the Ayushman app — filter by your district and the specialty you need. The list shows government and private empanelled hospitals.
My date of birth is wrong on Aadhaar and I'm 70+. What now?
Correct the date of birth on your Aadhaar first (via an Aadhaar centre or myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in — a fee applies), then enrol for Vay Vandana. The 70+ age must be verifiable.
What if the hospital asks for money even though I have the card?
That is not allowed for covered procedures. Ask for the request to be re-verified at the Ayushman Mitra desk, and call 14555 immediately to report it. Keep all bills and papers as proof.
Is there any charge at the hospital for admission?
No. For covered packages, admission, treatment and related diagnostics are cashless. Hospitals are paid directly by the government. If asked to pay, treat it as a red flag and call 14555.
Disclaimer: This is an independent guide, not an official government website. Eligibility rules, covered procedures and processes may change over time. Please confirm the latest details on pmjay.gov.in or call 14555.
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