Check eligibility and get your Ayushman card
Use the National Health Authority beneficiary portal to look up eligibility, complete eKYC and generate or download your card. Citizens aged 70+ can use the senior citizen flow.
This is health-cover eligibility, not a cash payment. Check an empanelled hospital and covered treatment package before admission.
Scheme at a glance
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) helps eligible families access cashless treatment for covered secondary and tertiary hospitalisation at empanelled hospitals. The standard cover is up to ₹5 lakh per eligible family per year. Citizens aged 70 or above have a special Ayushman Vay Vandana enrolment route regardless of family income.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY 2026 — important details
| Scheme | Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY 2026 |
|---|---|
| Main benefit | Up to ₹5 lakh cashless covered hospitalisation per eligible family per year |
| Who can apply | Eligible PM-JAY listed households; plus citizens aged 70+ under the age-based expansion |
| Application period | Continuous senior-citizen enrolment; no single nationwide application deadline |
| Started | PM-JAY: 23 September 2018; senior-citizen extension: 29 October 2024 |
| Administered in | India (subject to scheme and local implementing authority rules) |
| Senior citizen extension | Age 70+ eligible regardless of income, subject to Aadhaar age verification and eKYC |
| At hospital | Use an empanelled hospital and verify the treatment package before admission |
| Information updated | 14 November 2026 |
Scheme benefits and how they work
| Beneficiary type | Who can qualify |
|---|---|
| Existing PM-JAY eligible families | Households recognised under PM-JAY beneficiary and applicable state eligibility data |
| All Indian citizens aged 70+ | Ayushman Vay Vandana age-based route irrespective of income; Aadhaar age verification and eKYC apply |
| Senior member already in PM-JAY household | Special additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year for those 70+ members, separate from regular younger-family cover |
| Treatment | Specified secondary/tertiary hospitalisation packages at empanelled public and private hospitals |
Eligibility — who can register?
- Under age 70: beneficiary eligibility usually follows PM-JAY notified household records and any applicable state/UT inclusion rules. There is no universal automatic entitlement for every citizen under 70.
- Age 70 or older: Indian citizens may enrol under Ayushman Vay Vandana regardless of economic status. Age is determined using the Aadhaar record under National Health Authority rules.
- Eligible senior citizens must complete Aadhaar-based eKYC. Other government health-scheme beneficiaries may be required to exercise a choice of cover according to the official guidelines.
- Covered care is linked to packages and empanelled facilities. General OPD services are not covered under standard PM-JAY hospitalisation benefits.
Documents / details to keep ready
- For senior citizens aged 70+: Aadhaar is the only document required for the specific senior-citizen enrolment route under NHA FAQ; Aadhaar-based eKYC is compulsory.
- For other eligible households: household/identity information required by the beneficiary database and official portal; the authorised operator may ask for an eligible-family record or available supporting identification.
- For treatment: Ayushman card/beneficiary details and medical documents needed by the empanelled hospital for the package and pre-authorisation process.
- Mobile number or Aadhaar-linked verification as requested for portal sign-in and OTP; keep personal documents on the official systems only.
How to apply or avail benefits — step by step
- Visit the National Health Authority’s official beneficiary portal or Ayushman app. Use the beneficiary login and select the required state or beneficiary search route.
- Search the beneficiary records using the available identity/household details. Under 70, verify that your household is listed and eligible under relevant rules.
- For a citizen aged 70+, select the Ayushman Vay Vandana senior-citizen enrolment option, verify the age recorded in Aadhaar, and complete Aadhaar eKYC.
- Follow portal instructions to create or download the Ayushman card. Use the Add Member option where needed for other family members aged 70+.
- Before seeking treatment, find an empanelled hospital and ask its Ayushman helpdesk whether the condition and procedure are part of the available PM-JAY packages.
- Use the government support number 14555 or the official grievance service if card or treatment access is disputed.
Open the government-run scheme portal for the current application or authorised registration process.
Scheme dates and application deadline
PM-JAY launched on 23 September 2018. Ayushman Vay Vandana for citizens aged 70+ launched on 29 October 2024. Official senior-citizen enrolment guidelines describe continuous enrolment through the web portal or app; there is no common application closing date.
Frequently asked questions
Can every Indian family claim ₹5 lakh?
No. For people under 70, household eligibility generally depends on the PM-JAY beneficiary/state databases. All citizens aged 70+ have an independent age-based enrolment route.
Does a senior citizen above 70 need an income certificate?
No. NHA FAQ states that Aadhaar is the sole required document for 70+ Ayushman Vay Vandana enrolment and age is determined using Aadhaar.
Can both parents aged 70+ be added?
Yes. NHA FAQ describes using Add Member to include other qualifying 70+ family members after starting enrolment.
Does PM-JAY cover ordinary outpatient appointments?
Standard PM-JAY is primarily a cashless hospitalisation scheme. Ordinary OPD consultations are not part of the standard covered secondary and tertiary care packages.
Can I use my card anywhere?
At empanelled hospitals under applicable programme portability and package rules; check the official hospital search and speak with an Ayushman helpdesk.
Where can I ask for help?
Call national helpline 14555 or use the official hospital search and grievance portals.
Official government links and useful services
- NHA beneficiary portal — check eligibility, card and senior enrolment ↗
- National Health Authority — PM-JAY overview ↗
- Find empanelled hospitals ↗
- Official grievance redressal portal ↗
- Ministry of Health: Vay Vandana expansion update (October 2026) ↗
- National Health Authority: senior citizen eligibility FAQs ↗
Important: Never give Aadhaar OTPs to unknown agents. Cashless hospitalisation requires an empanelled hospital and a covered treatment package, not just possession of a card.