The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, commonly known as PMJAY, is one of India’s largest public healthcare schemes aimed at providing affordable treatment to eligible families across the country. Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive an Ayushman Bharat Card, which enables cashless access to medical services at empanelled hospitals.
The Ayushman Card is linked to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account and provides coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family every year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. In September 2024, the scheme was expanded to include all senior citizens aged 70 years and above through a separate Ayushman Vay Vandana Card.
Who is eligible for an Ayushman Card?
The scheme covers several categories of rural and urban households identified as economically vulnerable.
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In urban areas, eligible groups include ragpickers, domestic workers, street vendors, construction workers, sanitation workers, transport workers, mechanics, tailors, electricians, delivery assistants and other labour-based occupations.
Senior citizens aged 70 and above receive their Ayushman Vaya Vandana cards, under the PMJAY, in 2025. File image/ANI In rural areas, the scheme covers families living in one-room kucha houses, landless households dependent on manual labour, SC/ST households, families with disabled members and households without adult earning members between 16 and 59 years.
Senior citizens above 70 years are also eligible under the expanded coverage, including those already covered under schemes like CGHS, ECHS or Ayushman CAPF. Individuals with private health insurance or Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) can also avail benefits under AB PMJAY.
What benefits does the scheme offer?
The Ayushman Bharat scheme provides cashless and paperless treatment at empanelled hospitals across India. The coverage includes expenses related to:
Medical examination and consultation
Intensive and non-intensive care services
Medicines and diagnostic tests
ICU and OT charges
Accommodation and food for patients
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Medical implants
Pre-hospitalisation expenses for up to three days
Post-hospitalisation care for up to 15 days
The scheme covers nearly 1,929 treatment procedures across multiple speciality areas, including oncology, cardiology, neurosurgery and orthopaedics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacting with the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Ayushman Bharat, in 2019. File image/ANI What is not covered?
Certain treatments and services remain outside the scope of the scheme. These include outpatient department (OPD) expenses, cosmetic surgeries, fertility treatment, individual diagnostics and drug rehabilitation programmes.
Documents required for verification
Applicants may need documents such as Aadhaar card or PAN card for identity proof, address proof, caste certificate, income certificate and family status documents during verification or e-KYC.
The Ayushman Card is designed to help eligible families and senior citizens access affordable healthcare services without the burden of major hospital expenses.
