How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Insurance (PMJAY) in 2026

Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is India’s flagship health insurance scheme providing ₹5 lakh cashless treatment cover per family per year to over 12 crore vulnerable families. With 2026 updates expanding hospital networks and digital enrollment, getting your Ayushman card has never been easier. This comprehensive guide covers eligibility, documents, online/offline application, hospital list, and claim process to secure your family’s health.

What is Ayushman Bharat Insurance?

Ayushman Bharat is a government-funded health insurance scheme covering secondary and tertiary hospitalization expenses for eligible families. Unlike private insurance, there are no premiums, medical tests, or waiting periods. The scheme includes over 25,000 empanelled hospitals (public and private) across India, offering cashless treatment for 1,949 medical procedures.

Key Benefits:

₹5 lakh family floater cover (top-up available in some states)
No age limit for family members
Pre-existing diseases covered from day one
Cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals
Covers medical, surgical, daycare, and post-hospitalization expenses

Ayushman Bharat Eligibility Criteria (2025 Updated)

Eligibility is based on the SECC 2011 database and state-specific criteria. You can check your eligibility online in 2 minutes.

Eligible Categories:

Families in rural areas with only one room with kucha walls and kucha roof
No adult member aged 16-59 years
Female-headed households with no adult male member
SC/ST households
Landless households deriving major income from manual casual labour
Urban families in occupational categories like rag pickers, domestic workers, street vendors, construction workers, etc.

Check Eligibility Online:

Visit the official PMJAY portal
Click “Am I Eligible”
Enter mobile number, OTP, state
Search by name, ration card, or SECC ID
If found, proceed to card generation

Documents Required for Ayushman Bharat Card

Minimal documents needed:

Aadhaar card (mandatory for e-KYC)
Ration card or family ID (for family verification)
Mobile number (Aadhaar-linked for OTP)
Address proof (Aadhaar sufficient)
Age proof (for members above 60, if applicable)
Caste certificate (for SC/ST categories, if applicable)

Pro Tip: Keep scanned copies ready for online application. Bank KYC documents can also be used if applying through PMJDY accounts.

How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Card: 3 Methods

Method 1: Online Application via PMJAY Portal (Fastest)

Step-by-Step Process:

Visit official portal: Go to pmjay.gov.in or mera.pmjay.gov.in
Check eligibility: Click “Am I Eligible” > Enter mobile > OTP > State > Search family
Login: If eligible, click “Register/Login” > Use mobile OTP
Select family member: Choose the primary member for card generation
Complete e-KYC: Enter Aadhaar > OTP verification > Confirm details
Download card: Once approved, download Ayushman card PDF or print it
SMS confirmation: You’ll receive confirmation and card details via SMS

Timeline: Instant to 48 hours if details match SECC database.

Method 2: Apply via UMANG App (Mobile-Friendly)

Download UMANG app from Play Store/App Store
Register: Mobile OTP or Aadhaar login
Search “PMJAY”: Under “Health” category
Check eligibility: Enter details > OTP
Generate card: If eligible, download directly
Benefits: Also access hospital list, claim status, and grievance redressal

Method 3: Offline Application at CSC/PMAM Center

For rural/less tech-savvy users:

Visit Common Service Center (CSC) or PM Ayushman Mitra (PMAM)
Carry documents: Aadhaar, ration card, mobile
Operator assistance: They check eligibility, complete e-KYC, generate card
Instant card: Printed on spot or sent via SMS
Free service: No charges for card generation at CSCs

Find nearest CSC: csc.gov.in or call 14567.

How to Find Ayushman Bharat Hospital List

Before treatment, verify hospital empanelment:

Online: Visit hospitals.pmjay.gov.in
Search by: State, district, specialty, hospital name
Filter: Public/private, rating, distance
Contact: Get hospital’s PMJAY helpdesk number

State-specific portals also list hospitals (e.g., Ayushman Bharat UP, Maharashtra).

Ayushman Bharat Claim Process (Cashless Treatment)

At Empanelled Hospital:

Show Ayushman card + Aadhaar at hospital desk
Verification: Hospital checks eligibility on PMJAY portal
Pre-authorization: Hospital submits treatment estimate
Approval: Auto-approved for covered procedures
Treatment: Patient pays nothing for covered costs
Discharge: Hospital claims directly from insurer

Reimbursement (if treated at non-empanelled in emergency):

Pay first, keep all bills
Submit claim within 15 days via PMJAY portal
Upload: Discharge summary, bills, prescriptions, payment proofs
Approval: Within 30 days, amount credited to bank account

Claim Helpline: 14567 (toll-free) or state-specific numbers.

Ayushman Bharat vs Private Insurance: Why Choose PMJAY?

Feature	Ayushman Bharat	Private Insurance
Premium	₹0 (government funded)	₹5,000-50,000/year
Pre-existing diseases	Covered from day 1	Waiting period 2-4 years
Age limit	No limit	Usually 65-80 years
Coverage	₹5 lakh/family/year	Varies (₹3-25 lakh)
Network	25,000+ hospitals	5,000-15,000 hospitals

Best Strategy: Use Ayushman Bharat as base cover; private insurance for room upgrades, non-covered procedures.

Common Issues & Solutions

“Not Found in SECC Database”

Check spelling variations, try ration card number
Contact local tehsildar for SECC inclusion
Some states allow on-spot verification for eligible families

“Card Not Downloading”

Clear browser cache, try incognito mode
Use UMANG app alternative
Visit CSC for manual generation

“Hospital Denies Treatment”

Ask for PMJAY helpdesk
Call 14567 immediately
Escalate to State Public Health Department

Recent 2026 Updates

Digital health ID integration: Ayushman card now links with ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) for unified medical records
Teleconsultation coverage: Selected states cover doctor consultations via e-Sanjeevani
Expanded packages: 1,949 procedures now include advanced cancer treatments, cardiac surgeries
PMAM expansion: 1 lakh+ Ayushman Mitras deployed at hospitals for assistance

Action Plan: Secure Your Family Today

Check eligibility now: Visit pmjay.gov.in → “Am I Eligible”
Keep Aadhaar ready: Ensure mobile is linked for OTP
Apply online: Takes 5 minutes; download card instantly
Add all family members: Update nominee details
Save hospital list: Bookmark nearest empanelled hospitals
Share with relatives: Many eligible families remain unaware

₹0 premium = ₹5 lakh health security. Ayushman Bharat is a game-changer for India’s poor and middle class. Don’t wait for illness, enroll today and protect your family’s health and finances.

Official Links: