Ayushman Card Download 2026: How To Apply Online, Check Eligibility and Get Your Card

The Ayushman Card download process has become increasingly digital under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), allowing eligible beneficiaries to complete key verification steps online. The National Health Authority (NHA) provides digital access through its beneficiary portal and Ayushman mobile application, while Aadhaar-based e-KYC is mandatory for enrolment of beneficiaries aged 70 years and above.

Under PM-JAY, eligible families receive health assurance of up to INR 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. The scheme provides cashless benefits at empanelled public and private hospitals, with portability allowing beneficiaries to access treatment outside their home state as well. Ayushman Bharat Card in West Bengal: Eligibility, Benefits and How To Apply.

Ayushman Card Download Online

Eligible beneficiaries can use the official PM-JAY beneficiary system and Ayushman App to check their status, complete applicable verification and obtain their Ayushman card.

For senior citizens aged 70 years and above, the NHA specifically confirms that online enrolment is available through beneficiary.nha.gov.in and the Ayushman App. Aadhaar-based e-KYC is mandatory for issuing their Ayushman card. How To Register and Obtain Ayushman Card in 2026?

The broad online process involves:

• Visit the official PM-JAY beneficiary portal.
• Select the beneficiary login option.
• Enter the registered mobile number and complete OTP verification.
• Select the relevant scheme and state, where prompted.
• Search for the beneficiary using the available identification details.
• Complete the required verification or e-KYC.
• Once the card is approved and available, download or print the Ayushman card.

The exact options displayed can vary according to the beneficiary category and the applicable state or scheme.

Step-By-Step Online Application Process

For eligible beneficiaries, the process generally begins with the official beneficiary portal.

• Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in and access the beneficiary section.
• Enter the mobile number and complete OTP authentication.
• Select PM-JAY and provide the required state or other details.
• Search for the beneficiary using Aadhaar or other permitted identification details.
• Complete the required identity verification and e-KYC.
• Submit the application or enrolment request, where applicable.
• After approval, access the beneficiary record and download the Ayushman card.

For beneficiaries aged 70 and above, the NHA says Aadhaar is the only document required for enrolment under the senior citizen expansion of AB PM-JAY.

Who Is Eligible For Ayushman Card?

Eligibility for the regular PM-JAY beneficiary population is based on the scheme's prescribed eligibility criteria. The NHA has also expanded coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their income or economic status.

The 70-plus expansion provides up to INR 5 lakh in coverage per year. Senior citizens already belonging to PM-JAY families receive an additional top-up cover of up to INR 5 lakh for themselves, which is not shared with family members below 70.

The government has clarified that senior citizens aged 70 and above who have private health insurance or are covered under the Employees' State Insurance scheme can also avail AB PM-JAY benefits. Those covered under certain government health schemes, such as CGHS and ECHS, can choose between their existing scheme and AB PM-JAY.

Documents Required For Ayushman Card

The documents required can depend on the beneficiary category and the applicable verification process.

For general beneficiary identification, documents that may be used include:

• Aadhaar card
• Ration card
• Registered mobile number
• Other approved identity or address documents, depending on the state and beneficiary record

The NHA's data policy lists documents such as Aadhaar, ration card, MGNREGA job card, driving licence, voter ID, birth certificate and passport among possible beneficiary proof or address documents, with requirements varying according to the process.

For the specific 70-plus senior citizen enrolment process, however, the NHA says Aadhaar is the only document needed, with Aadhaar-based e-KYC required.

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Coverage

PM-JAY provides health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. The benefits are available at empanelled government and private hospitals.

The scheme includes expenses associated with hospitalisation and treatment under covered packages. NHA material also states that beneficiaries can receive medicines and treatment linked to the hospitalisation period, including expenses for three days before admission and 15 days after discharge.

The scheme's benefits are portable across the country, meaning an eligible beneficiary can receive cashless treatment at an empanelled hospital outside the state in which they are registered.

What The Ayushman Card Is Used For

The Ayushman card serves as a beneficiary identification document for accessing PM-JAY benefits at participating hospitals.

Beneficiaries can check the list of empanelled hospitals through the PM-JAY system. The NHA has also stated that beneficiaries can use the PM-JAY mobile application to locate hospitals and check eligibility.

At an empanelled hospital, eligible beneficiaries can access covered treatment on a cashless basis subject to the scheme's applicable packages and rules.

Important Point About Online Approval

The digital process can reduce the need for beneficiaries to visit offices or hospitals for certain enrolment and verification steps. However, approval timelines are not necessarily identical for every beneficiary or state.

Therefore, claims that every applicant will receive an Ayushman card or approval within exactly 24 hours should not be treated as a universal PM-JAY rule unless specifically confirmed for the relevant state or beneficiary category.

Similarly, the use of ration-card information and other databases can differ between states and beneficiary-identification processes.

How To Check Ayushman Card Eligibility

Beneficiaries can use official PM-JAY channels to check eligibility and access scheme-related services. The NHA also lists the PM-JAY helpline at 14555 for assistance.

Users should rely on official government portals and the NHA's Ayushman App when submitting Aadhaar or other personal information. The NHA's privacy policy states that explicit consent is required for Aadhaar-based authentication and creation of a health record.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2026 04:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).