Ayushman Card– Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is one of the largest health schemes of the Government of India. The scheme ensures cashless treatment for poor and needy families in hospitals. Under this scheme, families of eligible persons will get a health cover of up to ₹5 lakh each year for hospitalisation.
It will cover a lot of your medical expenses, like medicines, tests, surgery, and hospital stay. In this article, you can check eligibility rules, benefits, required documents, and the complete application process in simple language.
7 Most Important Key Benefits of Ayushman Card
- ₹5 Lakh Health Cover: Cashless treatment up to ₹500,000 per family every year.
- Cashless Hospitalisation: Get treatment without paying hospital bills at empanelled hospitals.
- Pre-existing Diseases Covered: Existing illnesses are covered from the first day of enrolment.
- No Family Size Limit: Every eligible family member can receive benefits.
- Free Medical Procedures: Covers surgeries, medicines, diagnostics, ICU care and hospital stay.
- Nationwide Portability: Receive treatment at empanelled hospitals anywhere in India.
- No Age Restriction: Eligible beneficiaries of any age can avail the scheme.
| Scheme Name | Ayushman Card – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) |
| Implementing Authority | National Health Authority (NHA) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India |
| Main Purpose | To provide cashless hospital treatment to poor and vulnerable families |
| Health Cover | Up to ₹500,000 per family per year |
Components of Ayushman Card
1. Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)
These centres provide:
- Primary healthcare services
- Maternal and child healthcare
- Care for non-communicable diseases
- Free essential medicines
- Basic diagnostic services
- Preventive healthcare services
- Health awareness and healthy lifestyle guidance
2. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
This component provides:
- Cashless hospitalization
- Health cover up to ₹5 lakh per family every year
- Treatment in empanelled hospitals across India
Main Benefits of PM-JAY
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Health Cover | Up to ₹500,000 per family per year |
| Cashless Treatment | Available in empanelled hospitals |
| Family Size Limit | No limit |
| Age Limit | No restriction |
| Gender Restriction | No restriction |
| Pre-existing Diseases | Covered from the first day |
| Portability | Can be used anywhere in India at empanelled hospitals |
| Medical Procedures Covered | Around 1,929 procedures |
Eligibility Criteria for Ayushman card
Rural Eligibility Criteria
A rural family may be eligible if it falls under at least one of the following categories:
- Only one room with kutcha walls and kutcha roof
- No adult member between 16 and 59 years of age
- No adult male member between 16 and 59 years of age
- The family has a disabled member and no able-bodied adult members
- SC households
- ST households
- Landless households are mainly dependent on manual labour
Automatically Included Rural Families
The following families are automatically included:
- Households without shelter
- Destitute persons
- Persons living on alms
- Manual scavenger families
- Primitive tribal groups
- Legally released bonded labourers
Urban Eligibility Criteria for Ayushman Card
The following worker categories are eligible:
Exclusion Criteria
The following individuals or families are not eligible:
- Owners of two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, or motorized fishing boats
- Owners of mechanized farming equipment
- Families holding Kisan Cards with a credit limit of ₹50,000 or more
- Government employees
- Persons working in government-managed non-agricultural enterprises
- Families earning more than ₹10,000 per month
- Families owning a refrigerator and landline phone
- Families living in well-built permanent houses
- Families owning 5 acres or more of agricultural land
Documents Required for Ayushman card Application
Applicants may need the following documents:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | Identity proof |
| PAN Card | Identity proof (if available) |
| Address Proof | Residence verification |
| Mobile Number | Contact purpose |
| E-mail ID | Communication purpose |
| Caste Certificate | Category verification (if applicable) |
| Income Certificate | Income verification |
| Family Status Document | Joint or Nuclear Family proof |
| Ration Card/Family ID | Family Identification |
Ayushman card Online Application Process Through UMANG
Step-by-Step Process
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit the UMANG portal and click on ‘Register’. |
| Step 2 | Verify mobile number through OTP |
| Step 3 | Create MPIN and log in |
| Step 4 | Open the “All Services” section |
| Step 5 | Select the required service |
| Step 6 | Fill in all required details |
| Step 7 | Upload necessary documents |
| Step 8 | Review all information carefully |
| Step 9 | Accept terms and declarations |
| Step 10 | Click ‘Submit/Apply’. |
| Step 11 | Receive confirmation after successful submission |
Conclusion
- ► Ayushman Card PM-JAY is a major health protection scheme for poor and vulnerable families.
- ► Eligible families can receive cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year.
- ► The scheme covers hospitalisation, medicines, surgery, diagnostics, ICU care, and many other medical expenses.
- ► There is no restriction on family size, age, or gender.
- ► Eligible beneficiaries can apply through hospitals, CSC centres or the UMANG portal and receive a PM-JAY e-card after successful verification and approval.
Important Links for Ayushman Card 2026
Official Website Link
Apply Link
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the Ayushman Bharat Card?
The Ayushman Card is issued under the PM-JAY scheme and allows eligible beneficiaries to receive cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals across India.
Q2. How much health coverage is available under the Ayushman Bharat Card?
Eligible families can receive up to ₹5 lakh per year in cashless health coverage, subject to the scheme’s terms and eligibility criteria.
Q3. Who is eligible to apply for an Ayushman Bharat Card?
Individuals whose names appear in the official beneficiary database and who meet the government’s eligibility criteria can apply for the card.
Q4. Which documents are required for the Ayushman Bharat Card?
Generally, you may need an Aadhaar Card, mobile number, and other identity documents required during the verification process.
Q5. How can I check if my name is on the Ayushman Bharat beneficiary list?
You can check your eligibility by visiting the official PM-JAY beneficiary portal and searching with your registered mobile number or other required details.
Q6. Can Health Sathi Card holders also get an Ayushman Bharat Card?
Eligible beneficiaries in West Bengal can follow the latest government guidelines to access Ayushman Bharat benefits. The process may vary based on current state and central government rules.
Q7. Can I use the Ayushman Bharat Card in private hospitals?
Yes. The card can be used at government hospitals and private hospitals that are officially empanelled under the PM-JAY scheme.
Q8. Is there any application fee for the Ayushman Bharat Card?
No. Eligible beneficiaries can apply through official government channels. Avoid paying money to unauthorised agents or third-party websites.
Q9. How can I download my Ayushman Bharat Card?
After successful verification and card generation, you can download your Ayushman Bharat Card from the official PM-JAY portal.
Q10. Can I apply for the Ayushman Bharat Card online?
Yes. Eligible beneficiaries can complete the application or card generation process through the official portal or with assistance from an authorised Common Service Centre (CSC).