With medical expenses increasing in the country, Ayushman Bharat Yojana continues to remain one of the largest public health insurance schemes that provides economic safety to the economically weaker sections of society.
As per the rules of the scheme, individuals eligible for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) benefit can claim coverage worth up to ₹5 lakh per year.
However, one has to generate an Ayushman Bharat card before being able to take benefits of these services, which can be done either online or offline from authorised government centers.
What is the Ayushman Bharat scheme?
Ayushman Bharat, also known as PM-JAY, was launched by the Government of India to provide free health insurance coverage to low-income and vulnerable households identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data.
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The scheme covers hospitalisation expenses, surgeries, medicines, diagnostics, and pre- and post-hospitalisation costs. Beneficiaries can avail treatment at thousands of empanelled hospitals across India without making direct payments.
The scheme does not impose restrictions on family size, age or gender.
Who is eligible for an Ayushman Bharat card?
Eligibility under the scheme depends on socio-economic conditions listed in the SECC database.
Rural eligibility criteria
Families may qualify if they:
Live in kutcha or single-room houses
Have no adult male member between 16 and 59 years
Include physically disabled members
Belong to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes
Depend primarily on daily wage labour
Urban eligibility criteria
People working in unorganised sectors may also qualify, including:
Drivers
Sanitation workers
Construction labourers
Rickshaw pullers
Painters
Welders and similar workers
Documents required for Ayushman card application
Applicants generally need the following documents:
Aadhaar card
Ration card
Address proof
Active mobile number
How to apply for Ayushman Bharat card online
Eligible beneficiaries can apply online through the official PM-JAY beneficiary portal.
Step-by-step process
Visit the official PM-JAY beneficiary website.
Enter your mobile number and verify it through OTP.
Select your state, district and scheme details.
Enter Aadhaar information and search for your name in the beneficiary list.
If eligible, complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC verification.
Upload a photograph and submit the application form.
Once verified and approved, the Ayushman card can be generated digitally.
How to apply offline
People who are unable to complete the process online can visit their nearest:
Common Service Centre (CSC)
Atal Seva Kendra
Authorised PM-JAY help centre
Officials at these centres assist applicants with eligibility verification and card generation.
How to download the Ayushman Bharat card
Once approved, beneficiaries can download the Ayushman card through the PM-JAY beneficiary portal using their registered mobile number and Aadhaar verification.
The card can also be printed at CSC centres for offline use during hospital visits.
Key benefits under PM-JAY
What the plan provides:
Free treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh per family per year
Hospitalisation without any cash payment
Admission in empaneled public and private hospitals
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Benefits for people having pre-existing illnesses
Pan India portability of treatment
Significance of the plan
As mentioned by health professionals, increased costs of treatment have been forcing poor families into difficult situations during medical emergencies.
Ayushman Bharat plan has become an important lifeline for families needing surgeries, emergency and prolonged treatments without any heavy costs from their own pocket.
Previous data from government authorities has indicated that millions of people have already benefitted from the plan.
