Who can apply for an Ayushman Card? Where do you register? What documents do you need? These are some of the most common questions people have about the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). Here’s a simple guide that explains everything you need to know in one place.
The Ayushman Card allows eligible beneficiaries to access cashless treatment under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The scheme provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for eligible beneficiaries. Applications can be submitted online, offline or through the government’s Ayushman Sarathi WhatsApp chatbot.
How To Apply Online: Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in and log in as a beneficiary using your mobile number and OTP. Select PM-JAY, choose your state and district, then search using your name or Aadhaar number. Complete the verification process by uploading your photograph and filling in the required details to submit your application.
How To Apply Using WhatsApp: Save the official Ayushman Sarathi WhatsApp number +91 72908 23838 and send a “Hi” or “Hello” message to begin. Select Choose Service, then go to My Ayushman Card > Apply for PMJAY Card. Follow the prompts to log in with your registered mobile number and Aadhaar, complete the e-KYC process and download your Ayushman Card. Existing cardholders can also use the chatbot to download their card, update e-KYC, link Aadhaar, or lock and unlock their PM-JAY card.
Who Is Eligible? Every Indian citizen aged 70 years and above can avail the benefits of the scheme, regardless of income or whether they already have private health insurance. Eligible beneficiaries can generate and download their Ayushman Card digitally to access healthcare services under PM-JAY.
Apart from senior citizens, eligibility for the Ayushman Card is primarily determined using data from the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011. The scheme covers eligible rural and urban households, including many families from economically weaker sections and other notified beneficiary categories. Recent expansions have widened coverage, ensuring that all citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible irrespective of their income.