How to apply for Ayushman Bharat health card (PM-JAY) — 2026

• Family in SECC 2011 deprivation list (rural) OR occupational categories (urban)
• Senior citizen 70+ (added Sept 2024 — income-free)
• NOT eligible: Households with motorised vehicle, mechanised agri equipment, govt employees, IT taxpayers

1. Check eligibility — Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in → search by name + state + Aadhaar / ration card. If “eligible” → proceed; if not → apply for state-supplementary scheme.
2. Get Ayushman card — CSC, empanelled hospital, Ayushman Mitra desk. Bring Aadhaar + ration card + family Aadhaar list.
3. Aadhaar + biometric verification — Each family member's Aadhaar verified. Photo + biometric. Each gets unique e-card.
4. Receive PM-JAY card (PVC + e-card) — Issued same day. Print + digital both work. Show at any empanelled hospital.
5. Avail cashless treatment — Empanelled hospital list at hospitals.pmjay.gov.in. Walk in with card + Aadhaar; hospital auto-bills NHA.
6. Coverage scope — 1,393 packages: cancer, cardiology, neurology, joint replacement, dialysis, NICU, PICU, etc. 5 lakh per family per year — refresh at FY start.
7. Pre-existing conditions — Covered from day 1 — no waiting period.
8. Senior citizen (70+) addition — Sept 2024 — auto-eligible regardless of income. Apply via beneficiary.nha.gov.in with Aadhaar + age proof.

• Online portal: PM-JAY Beneficiary portal
• Offline: CSC, empanelled hospitals, State Ayushman Mitra office, Aapke Dwar Ayushman camps. SHC (Sub-Health Centre) for senior citizen addition.
• Fee: Free at every stage — application, card, treatment all free under PM-JAY
• Timeline: Card issuance: same day at CSC/hospital · Hospital admission: cashless on the spot

See our complete checklist: Documents required for ayushman bharat — covers mandatory + optional + size/format specs.

• SECC 2011 list missing your name — apply for state-supplementary scheme (CMCHIS in TN, MJPJAY in MH, RGHS in Rajasthan, ABRY in WB, etc.).
• Aadhaar mismatch with SECC — name spelling must match. Update one to match (Aadhaar correction recommended).
• Hospital refusing cashless — file complaint at NHA grievance portal: pmjay.gov.in/grievances. NHA acts within 7 days.
• Card lost — re-print free at any CSC with Aadhaar OTP.

Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:

1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
2. The name + designation of the dealing officer assigned to my file.
3. The reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
5. The likely date of issuance of my certificate / approval.

Auto-fill the PIO details + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →

Or browse state-wise scheme procedures: All state portals + RTI templates

Track your application status: How to check status guide

No — but most states converge: PMJAY covers PMJAY-eligible families; state schemes cover the rest. E.g., MJPJAY (MH) covers PMJAY + state APL families.

No — Sept 2024 expansion makes age 70+ auto-eligible regardless of income. Apply with just Aadhaar + age proof.

Yes — no waiting period. Covered from day 1 of card.

No — only inpatient (IP). OPD covered under separate Ayushman Arogya Mandir scheme (free at SHC/PHC).

File complaint at pmjay.gov.in/grievances OR file RTI to State Health Agency. Use our Ayushman RTI generator.

• How to check status — 25 high-traffic services
• Documents required — 30 checklists
• All state RTI portals
• Full RTI Playbook — 100+ scenarios

• Official portal: https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in
• Citizen feedback collected via AwaazRTI (composite, identifying details removed).
• Statutory references: see relevant Act sections.

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.