India’s flagship health scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), aims to provide free healthcare services to over 50 crore citizens. One of the most essential steps to avail the scheme is to apply for the Ayushman card—a golden ticket to cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals. In this blog, we’ll guide you through how to apply for the Ayushman card online, eligibility criteria, and key benefits of the scheme.
What is the Ayushman Bharat Card?
The Ayushman Bharat card is an e-card applied to the identified eligible beneficiaries in the PM-JAY scheme. It enables people and families to obtain a cashless treatment of up to 5 lakhs per year in both the government and non-governmental hospitals throughout India. When you have this card, you are free to walk into any of the empanelled hospitals, and your treatments for a listed condition are free of cost.
Who is Eligible for Ayushman Bharat Card?
Eligibility is dependent on Socio-Economic Caste census (SECC) 2011 data for rural and urban families. Here are the major criteria:
Families with no adult member aged 16–59
Families with only one room with kucha walls and roof
Families with disabled members and no able-bodied adult
SC/ST households
Beggars and those surviving on alms
Manual scavenger families
Daily wage labourers and landless agricultural workers
Urban workers like street vendors, domestic helpers, construction workers, etc., are also eligible.
How to Apply for Ayushman Card Online
Follow the following steps to register your Ayushman Bharat card online in brief.
Step 1: Log on to the Official PM-JAY Page
Visit the main site of the portal— https://bis.pmjay.gov.in.
Step 2: Find Out Your Eligibility
On the page, click Am I Eligible? and put in your mobile phone number. To verify your name in the scheme, you will need to use your Aadhaar card or ration card.
Step 3: Giving Aadhaar and KYC Documents
In case you are eligible, go to the local Common Service Center or download the Ayushman app. Scan and attach the Aadhaar card, ration card, and other KYC documents.
Step 4: verification and approval
The system will cross-check your documents. After the verification, your Ayushman card will be made.
Step 5: Download Ayushman Card
You will get an SMS confirmation. The card can be downloaded on the same site or application. It is a digital card that is applicable in all Ayushman Bharat empanelled hospitals.
Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Card
Free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year
Covers pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses
Over 1,500 medical procedures and surgeries covered
Available at over 25,000 empanelled hospitals
Covers both public and private healthcare institutions
No age, gender, or family size limit
Apply on Mobile with the Ayushman App
For those who prefer using a smartphone, the Ayushman Bharat App makes it even easier. Just install the app from the Play Store, register using your Aadhaar number, and follow the same steps to download the card.
Important Tips
Always verify your details before submission.
Keep your mobile number active for OTP and card updates.
Visit only authorized CSC centers for offline support if needed.
Final Words
You can get your Ayushman Bharat card online, and it is easy, absolutely free, and very useful. The healthcare cost is going up and this government plan is a blessing to millions of Indians who don not have to worry about financial burden nowadays as they can have a quality healthcare. Check whether you are qualified first and apply Ayushman card online now to save money in the future health of your family.