Ayushman Bharat Yojana: Did you know that a serious illness can wipe out years of savings for any poor or middle-class family in a single stroke. To address this concern, the Government of India’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is proving to be a boon. Under this scheme, eligible families are provided free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year.
The best news is that you no longer need to visit government offices or hospitals to obtain this card. As of the new update for 2026, you can create an Ayushman Card online in just a few minutes using your smartphone.
What is the Ayushman Card
The Ayushman Card is part of the world’s largest health insurance scheme, launched in 2018. It provides cardholders with cashless and paperless treatment at thousands of government and empanelled private hospitals across the country.
The primary purpose of this card is to protect economically weaker sections from the burden of expensive treatment for serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and kidney disease. Under the scheme, the government also covers the cost of pre-admission tests and post-discharge medications, ensuring no financial hardship for the family.
Process to Create an Ayushman Card from Home
If you want to create your card digitally, follow the steps below:
- First, download the ‘Ayushman App’ from your mobile’s Google Play Store.
- Open the app, select your preferred language, and click the ‘Login’ button. Select the ‘Beneficiary’ option. Enter your mobile number and verify using the OTP received.
- After logging in, select the PM-JAY scheme. Then, select your state and district.
- Select the Aadhaar Number or Family ID option to search. Entering your Aadhaar number will open a list of all your family members.
- Members whose cards haven’t been created will have ‘Authenticate’ written next to their names. Click on it. Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and upload a live photo (selfie) of yourself.
- After submitting the form, verification usually takes a week. Once the verification is successful, you can download your Ayushman Card PDF from the app.
Mandatory Documents
To get an Ayushman Card, you must have the following documents:
Aadhaar Card
Ration Card
Active Mobile Number
Passport-Size Photo
Who is Eligible
Generally, those whose names are listed in the 2011 Economic Census (SECC) list or who have an eligible household/Antyodaya ration card are eligible for this scheme. Eligibility can also be easily verified by having an e-Shram Card or a Labor Card.
Get free treatment with an Ayushman Card
Once the card is issued, the treatment process is very simple and transparent. Whenever you need treatment for any illness, simply follow these steps: Take the patient to any hospital affiliated with the Ayushman Yojana. Take your card to the “Ayushman Mitra” there. They will digitally verify your card, and your treatment will begin without a single rupee. You don’t need to pay any cash or deposit at the hospital, as the government makes all payments directly to the hospital online.