Ayushman Bharat 2026 — How to Check Eligibility and Get Your Card

Who Is Covered Under Ayushman Bharat?

Ayushman Bharat covers families based on the SECC-2011 (Socio-Economic and Caste Census) database. Rural eligible categories include: families with no male adult aged 16–59, female-headed households, families with disabled members, SC/ST families, landless families with manual casual labour as main income. Urban eligible occupational categories include: ragpickers, beggars, domestic workers, construction workers, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, security guards, transport workers, and others. In 2024, AB-PMJAY was expanded to cover all citizens above 70 years of age regardless of income.

How to Check If Your Family Is Covered

Method 1 — Online: Visit pmjay.gov.in and click 'Am I Eligible'. Enter your mobile number (registered with Aadhaar) and OTP. Enter your Ration Card number or Aadhaar number to check. Method 2 — Toll Free: Call 14555 (PMJAY helpline) and ask them to verify your eligibility by name and Aadhaar. Method 3 — At Hospital: Walk into any empanelled hospital and ask the Ayushman Mitra at the help desk to check your eligibility.

How to Download Your Ayushman Card

Step 1: Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in. Step 2: Login with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and OTP. Step 3: Search for your family members by Aadhaar number. Step 4: Download the digital Ayushman card (PDF) for each family member. You can also get a physical card printed at any Common Service Centre (CSC) for ₹30. The digital card on your phone is equally valid at hospitals.

How to Use Ayushman Bharat at a Hospital

Step 1: Go to any empanelled hospital (government or private). Step 2: Find the Ayushman Mitra desk at the hospital entry (all empanelled hospitals are required to have one). Step 3: Show your Ayushman card and Aadhaar for biometric verification. Step 4: Your eligibility is verified on the spot. If eligible, treatment is initiated as cashless — you pay nothing, not even for medicines, tests, or surgeon fees. Step 5: For planned hospitalisation, call 14555 to find the nearest empanelled hospital.

What Is Covered Under Ayushman Bharat?

Ayushman Bharat covers over 1,949 medical procedures including major surgeries, cancer treatment, knee replacement, cardiac procedures, dialysis, chemotherapy, and ICU care. Pre-hospitalisation expenses (3 days before) and post-hospitalisation expenses (15 days after) are also covered. Pre-existing conditions are covered from day one — this is a major benefit over private health insurance. The ₹5 lakh limit is per family per year and can be used by any member of the family.

What Is Not Covered?

OPD (outpatient department) consultations — Ayushman only covers hospitalisation (minimum 24 hours stay, with exceptions for day-care procedures). Cosmetic surgery, dental procedures (except following accidents), and fertility treatments are excluded. Drug rehabilitation is not covered. Unregistered hospitals — only empanelled hospitals can provide cashless Ayushman treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions