Ayushman Bharat Card 2026 — Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply

Quick Answer: The Ayushman Bharat card gives eligible families ₹5 lakh free hospitalisation per year at 29,000+ empanelled hospitals. All senior citizens aged 70+ are now covered regardless of income. Check eligibility at beneficiary.nha.gov.in or call 14555.

Why This Matters in India 2026

Healthcare costs in India are rising at 14% annually — far faster than inflation. A single hospitalisation for a heart bypass or cancer treatment can bankrupt a middle-class family. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), commonly known as the Ayushman Bharat scheme, is the world’s largest government-funded health insurance programme.

As of 2025, over 41 crore Ayushman cards have been issued. The scheme covers 55 crore beneficiaries — the bottom 40% of India’s population — and has recorded over 116.9 million hospital admissions since launch. A landmark expansion in September 2024 extended free coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income level.

If your family is eligible and you do not yet have a card, you are leaving free healthcare on the table. This guide tells you exactly who qualifies, what is covered, and how to get your card today.

Who Is Eligible for Ayushman Bharat 2026?

Eligibility is based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data. You do not need to apply separately — if your family is in the database, you are automatically covered.

Rural Eligibility Criteria

Category	Criteria
Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe	Auto-included
No permanent shelter	Auto-included
Destitute / living on alms	Auto-included
Manual scavenger families	Auto-included
Primitive tribal groups	Auto-included
Legally released bonded labourers	Auto-included
Families with no able-bodied adult member aged 16–59	Auto-included
Female-headed households with no male adult member 16–59	Auto-included
Disabled member, no able-bodied adult	Auto-included
Landless household, main income from casual labour	Auto-included

Urban Eligibility Criteria

Occupation Category	Covered
Ragpicker	Yes
Beggar	Yes
Domestic worker	Yes
Street vendor / cobbler / hawker	Yes
Construction worker / plumber / mason / painter	Yes
Sweeper / sanitation worker / gardener	Yes
Home-based artisan / handicrafts worker	Yes
Tailor	Yes
Transport worker (driver, conductor, helper)	Yes
Shop worker / assistant / delivery boy	Yes
Electrician / mechanic / repair worker	Yes
Washer-man / chowkidar	Yes

Senior Citizens 70+ (New in 2024)

All Indian citizens aged 70 years and above are now covered under a separate component called Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card — regardless of income, caste, or occupation. This was announced by the Government of India in September 2024. If you have a parent or grandparent aged 70+, they qualify automatically.

What Does Ayushman Bharat Cover?

Key Benefits

₹5 lakh per family per year — covers the entire family, no restriction on family size
All pre-existing diseases covered from Day 1 — no waiting period. Diabetes, cancer, heart disease, kidney disease — all covered immediately
29,000+ empanelled hospitals across India — both government and private
Cashless and paperless — no upfront payment at empanelled hospitals
Transport allowance — ₹200 per hospitalisation for travel to hospital

What Is Covered

Category	Examples
Heart diseases	Bypass surgery, angioplasty, valve replacement
Cancer	Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery
Kidney diseases	Dialysis, kidney transplant
Orthopaedics	Joint replacement, fracture surgery
Neurological	Brain surgery, epilepsy treatment
Eye, ENT	Cataract, cochlear implant
Neonatal	Newborn intensive care
Mental health	Hospitalisation for mental illness
Maternity	Normal and C-section delivery
Diabetes	Hospitalisation complications

What Is NOT Covered

OPD (outpatient) visits and doctor consultations
Medicines purchased outside hospital during admission
Cosmetic procedures
Drug abuse / alcohol-related treatment
Self-inflicted injuries
Fertility treatments

Empanelled Hospital Chains Under Ayushman Bharat

Major private hospital chains empanelled under PM-JAY:

Apollo Hospitals — 50+ locations across India
Fortis Healthcare — multiple cities
Narayana Health — known for affordable heart surgeries
Manipal Hospitals — South India and beyond
Max Healthcare — Delhi NCR
All government hospitals (AIIMS, district hospitals, civil hospitals)

To find the nearest empanelled hospital, visit the official hospital locator at hospitals.pmjay.gov.in or call the helpline.

ABHA Card vs Ayushman Card — Important Difference

Many people confuse these two. They are completely different:

Feature	Ayushman PM-JAY Card	ABHA Card
Full form	PM Jan Arogya Yojana	Ayushman Bharat Health Account
Who can get it	Only eligible (bottom 40%)	Anyone — free for all Indians
Purpose	Free hospitalisation up to ₹5 lakh	Digital health ID / health locker
What it gives	Cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals	Stores prescriptions, lab reports, records digitally
Income criteria	Yes — SECC-based	No — open to everyone
Apply at	beneficiary.nha.gov.in	healthid.ndhm.gov.in

The ABHA card (14-digit digital health ID) is a separate initiative anyone can create for free to store their medical records digitally. You should create both if eligible.

How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Card — Step by Step

Method 1: Online (Easiest)

Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in
Enter your mobile number linked to Aadhaar
Enter the OTP received
Search for your name using Aadhaar number, ration card, or name + location
If eligible, click “Download Card”
Your Ayushman card is ready — save as PDF or take a printout

Method 2: Via Common Service Centre (CSC)

Visit your nearest Jan Seva Kendra / CSC
Carry Aadhaar card and ration card
The CSC operator will check eligibility and generate the card
Cost: Nil — it is free

Method 3: At Empanelled Hospital

Visit the Ayushman Mitra desk at any empanelled hospital
Show Aadhaar card
Hospital staff will verify and generate the card on the spot
You can immediately use it for treatment if required

Method 4: Via Ayushman App

Download the “Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY” app from Google Play or App Store
Register with your mobile number
Check eligibility and download card directly

How to Use Your Card at the Hospital

Visit any empanelled hospital (government or private)
Go to the Ayushman Mitra counter or reception
Show your Ayushman card (physical or digital)
Hospital verifies eligibility on the PM-JAY portal
Treatment starts — you pay nothing
Discharge with zero payment for covered treatments
Hospital submits claim directly to the government

There is no annual renewal — the card is valid as long as you remain in the eligible category.

Impact of Ayushman Bharat — Key Statistics

41+ crore cards issued as of 2025
116.9 million hospital admissions recorded since launch
₹5 lakh coverage per family per year — no cap on family size
29,000+ empanelled hospitals — government and private
Cancer early detection up 36% due to PM-JAY awareness (Lancet study)
Government hospital revenue increased — improving quality of care
Senior citizen expansion September 2024 — all 70+ covered free

Helplines and Official Contacts

Contact	Details
National helpline	14555
Toll-free helpline	1800-111-565
Official website	pmjay.gov.in
Eligibility check	beneficiary.nha.gov.in
Hospital locator	hospitals.pmjay.gov.in
Email	webmaster-pmjay@nha.gov.in

10 Frequently Asked Questions

1. I have a job. Can I still get the Ayushman card? Eligibility is based on the SECC database, not just income. If your family was listed in the 2011 SECC data under eligible categories, you may still qualify. Check at beneficiary.nha.gov.in with your Aadhaar number.

2. Does the ₹5 lakh limit reset every year? Yes. The ₹5 lakh coverage resets every policy year (April to March). If your family uses ₹3 lakh in one year, the remaining ₹2 lakh does not carry forward — but the full ₹5 lakh is available again the next year.

3. Can I use Ayushman Bharat at a private hospital? Yes, but only at private hospitals that are empanelled under PM-JAY. Not all private hospitals are empanelled. Always verify at hospitals.pmjay.gov.in before choosing a hospital for planned treatment.

4. My parents are 72 years old. Are they covered? Yes. All senior citizens aged 70 and above are now covered under the expanded Ayushman Vaya Vandana component, regardless of income or SECC status. A separate card is issued for seniors.

5. Is diabetes covered from day one? Yes. Unlike most private health insurance, Ayushman Bharat covers all pre-existing diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer from the very first day — no waiting period.

6. How many family members can use the ₹5 lakh limit? There is no restriction on family size. All members of the family share the ₹5 lakh annual limit. However, the limit applies to the total family — if one member uses ₹4 lakh, only ₹1 lakh remains for other members in that year.

7. Can I use the card in a different state? Yes. Ayushman Bharat is valid across India. You can use your card at any empanelled hospital in any state — this is called portability. This is especially useful for people who migrate for work.

8. My name is not in the list but I am eligible. What do I do? Contact your state’s Ayushman Bharat nodal officer or visit a Jan Seva Kendra. There are grievance redressal mechanisms to add eligible families who were missed in the SECC data.

9. Does Ayushman Bharat cover medicines after discharge? No. The scheme only covers inpatient hospitalisation. Medicines, OPD visits, and diagnostic tests done outside the hospital as outpatient are not covered. You will need to pay for these separately.

10. I already have employer health insurance. Can I also use Ayushman? If you are otherwise eligible based on SECC data, yes — you can use Ayushman Bharat at empanelled hospitals. However, most salaried employees in private sector are not eligible based on SECC criteria.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified doctor or healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your condition.