Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is one of India’s major government healthcare schemes. It helps eligible families access cashless hospital treatment without facing the burden of high medical expenses.
Under this scheme, eligible families can receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year for approved hospitalisation expenses at empanelled hospitals.
But an important question remains: Who can get an Ayushman Bharat card? Are poor families, daily wage workers, construction workers and senior citizens eligible? Where can people check their names, and how can they get the card?
In this article, we explain everything step by step, including eligibility, benefits, required documents, online application procedures and how to use the card for hospital treatment.
1. Who Can Get Ayushman Bharat Yojana Benefits?
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY primarily covers economically vulnerable families identified through the government’s beneficiary database.
The following categories may qualify under the regular PM-JAY eligibility criteria:
- Poor and economically vulnerable rural households.
- Eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households.
- Landless families depending mainly on manual labour.
- Families meeting specified deprivation criteria.
- Eligible workers belonging to identified urban occupational categories.
- Other households included under the scheme’s automatic inclusion criteria.
Important: Having a low income or belonging to one of these categories does not automatically guarantee eligibility. Your household must be included in the official beneficiary database or qualify under an applicable government expansion.
2. Rural Families Who May Be Eligible
Rural households identified under the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) criteria may qualify under the following categories:
- Families living in a single room with kutcha walls and a kutcha roof.
- Households without an adult member between 16 and 59 years.
- Female-headed households without an adult male member between 16 and 59 years.
- Families with a disabled member and no able-bodied adult member.
- Eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households.
- Landless households earning most of their income through manual casual labour.
Certain automatically included vulnerable groups, such as destitute households, manual scavenger families, primitive tribal groups and legally released bonded labourers, are also covered under applicable criteria.
3. Urban Workers Who May Get Ayushman Bharat Benefits
People working in the informal sector may qualify if their households meet the scheme’s identification requirements.
The identified urban occupational categories include:
- Domestic workers and housemaids.
- Construction workers and daily wage labourers.
- Plumbers, masons, painters and welders.
- Street vendors, hawkers and cobblers.
- Rag pickers.
- Sanitation workers and sweepers.
- Security guards.
- Drivers, conductors and rickshaw pullers.
- Electricians and mechanics.
- Tailors and handicraft workers.
- Shop assistants and delivery workers.
- Washermen and chowkidars.
These occupations are included in the official urban eligibility categories. However, occupation alone does not guarantee that an individual or family will receive benefits.
4. Special Ayushman Bharat Benefits for Senior Citizens Aged 70 and Above
The Government of India has introduced a special expansion of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income or financial background.
This is an important opportunity for elderly citizens who need financial protection against hospital expenses.
Under the Ayushman Vay Vandana initiative:
- All Indian senior citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible.
- There is no income restriction.
- Eligible senior citizens receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year.
- Aadhaar-based e-KYC is mandatory.
- A separate Ayushman card is issued.
- Senior citizens with private health insurance or ESIC coverage are also eligible.
Senior citizens already belonging to PM-JAY families receive an additional coverage arrangement of up to ₹5 lakh exclusively for eligible senior citizens in the family.
5. What Benefits Does Ayushman Bharat Provide?
Eligible beneficiaries can receive the following healthcare benefits:
- Cashless hospital treatment up to ₹5 lakh per eligible family per year.
- Treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals.
- Coverage for approved secondary and tertiary hospitalisation procedures.
- Treatment for pre-existing conditions under applicable scheme packages.
- Eligible pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation expenses.
- Medicines, diagnostics and other approved treatment-related services.
The scheme is designed to reduce the financial burden of hospital treatment for eligible families.
6. Documents Required to Get an Ayushman Card
The documents and information required may vary depending on the beneficiary category.
For regular PM-JAY beneficiaries, keep the following documents or details ready:
- Aadhaar card.
- Registered mobile number.
- Ration card, if applicable.
- Other government-approved identity documents, if requested.
- Beneficiary or family identification details.
For senior citizens aged 70 and above, Aadhaar is the required document for enrolment, and Aadhaar-based e-KYC is mandatory.
7. How to Check Your Ayushman Bharat Eligibility Online
Before applying for a card, first check whether your name is included in the beneficiary database.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official Ayushman Bharat beneficiary website:
https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in
Step 2: Select the Beneficiary login option.
Step 3: Enter your mobile number and complete OTP verification.
Step 4: Select your state and the relevant scheme.
Step 5: Choose an available search category, such as your name, family ID or other permitted details.
Step 6: Enter the required information and click the Search button.
Step 7: Check whether your name or family details appear in the beneficiary list.
If your name appears, follow the portal instructions to complete beneficiary verification and card-related services.
If you cannot find your name, contact the Ayushman Bharat helpline at 14555 or visit an authorised Common Service Centre (CSC) for assistance.
8. How to Apply for an Ayushman Bharat Card Online
If you are an eligible beneficiary, follow the applicable card creation process.
- Open the official beneficiary portal.
- Log in using your registered mobile number and OTP.
- Search for your beneficiary record.
- Select the relevant family member.
- Choose the available e-KYC or verification option.
- Complete Aadhaar-based authentication or another permitted verification method.
- Provide any additional information requested by the portal.
- Submit the details and check the application status.
- Once approved, access the card download facility.
For senior citizens aged 70 and above:
They can use the dedicated senior citizen enrolment facility through the official beneficiary portal or Ayushman App.
- Visit https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/
- Select the senior citizen enrolment facility, where available.
- Enter the required details.
- Complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC.
- Submit the enrolment request.
- Follow the portal instructions to access the separate Ayushman card.
Eligible senior citizens can enrol under this special expansion regardless of income.
9. How to Download Your Ayushman Bharat Card
After successful verification and approval, beneficiaries can access their digital card.
Follow these steps:
- Visit https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/
- Log in using your mobile number and OTP.
- Search for your beneficiary details.
- Select the approved beneficiary record.
- Choose the Download Card option, if available.
- Download the Ayushman card in PDF format.
- Save the PDF on your mobile phone.
You can also ask an authorised CSC or participating hospital help desk for assistance.
10. How to Get Free Hospital Treatment Using Your Ayushman Card
Once you have your Ayushman card, you can use it at participating hospitals for covered treatments.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Find an Empanelled Hospital
Check the official PM-JAY website for participating hospitals in your area.
Step 2: Visit the Hospital
Go to the hospital and ask for the Ayushman Bharat or PM-JAY help desk.
Step 3: Show Your Card
Provide your Ayushman card or beneficiary identification details.
Step 4: Complete Verification
The hospital will verify your eligibility through the official system.
Step 5: Confirm Treatment Coverage
Ask the hospital whether your required treatment is covered under an approved scheme package.
Step 6: Complete the Treatment Process
The hospital will complete the required authorisation and admission procedures.
Step 7: Receive Cashless Treatment
If the treatment is approved and covered, the eligible expenses are settled under the scheme according to its rules.
Always confirm treatment coverage with the hospital before proceeding.
11. How to Find an Ayushman Bharat Hospital Near You
To locate an empanelled hospital:
- Visit the official PM-JAY website.
- Open the hospital search facility.
- Select your state and district.
- Choose the required hospital type or speciality, where available.
- View the participating hospital list.
- Contact the hospital to confirm the availability of your required treatment.
Only hospitals empanelled under the scheme can provide PM-JAY benefits.
12. Ayushman Bharat Helpline Number and Official Website
If you have questions about eligibility, card creation, verification or hospital treatment, contact the official support channels.
Official Beneficiary Portal:
https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/
National Health Authority Website:
https://nha.gov.in/
Ayushman Bharat Helpline: 14555
You can also visit your nearest authorised Common Service Centre for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is eligible for Ayushman Bharat Yojana in 2026?
Eligible poor and vulnerable households identified under PM-JAY criteria can receive benefits. All senior citizens aged 70 and above are also eligible under the special expansion, regardless of income.
2. Can daily wage workers get an Ayushman Bharat card?
Certain identified occupational categories of urban informal workers may qualify. However, their household must meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
3. Can people above 70 years apply without an income certificate?
Yes. The special senior citizen expansion does not impose an income requirement. Aadhaar-based e-KYC is mandatory.
4. How much free medical treatment is available?
Eligible PM-JAY families receive coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year for approved hospitalisation expenses.
5. Can I get treatment at a private hospital?
Yes. Treatment is available at private hospitals that are empanelled under PM-JAY, subject to approved treatment packages.
6. Is an Ayushman Bharat card available online?
Yes. Eligible beneficiaries can complete the applicable verification process and access their card through the official beneficiary portal.
7. What should I do if my name is not found in the beneficiary list?
Contact the official helpline at 14555 or visit an authorised CSC to check your beneficiary status and available options.
Final Words
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY provides valuable healthcare protection to eligible families across India. It is especially important for economically vulnerable households and senior citizens who may struggle with expensive hospital treatment.
If you believe that you or your family members are eligible, check your details through the official government portal. Complete the required verification and obtain your Ayushman Bharat card to access the benefits available under the scheme.
Always use official government websites and authorised centres for enrolment and beneficiary services.
