You can download your Ayushman card for free on beneficiary.nha.gov.in or the Ayushman app by logging in with your mobile number, finding your name in the PM-JAY list, completing Aadhaar eKYC, and downloading the card once it is approved. The Ayushman card lets eligible families get cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year at empanelled government and private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). Since October 2024, every citizen aged 70 or above can get a separate Ayushman Vay Vandana card, whatever their income.
Who can get an Ayushman card
- Families listed as eligible in the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 data and later additions by states.
- Families covered by state health schemes that are merged with PM-JAY, depending on your state.
- All senior citizens aged 70 and above, through the Ayushman Vay Vandana card, with an extra Rs 5 lakh top-up if their family is already covered.
- Certain groups added by the Centre, such as ASHA and Anganwadi workers and their families.
If your name is not in the list, you cannot apply online just by filling a form. Ask at the nearest empanelled hospital’s Ayushman desk (Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitra) or a Common Service Centre whether your state allows fresh enrolment.
What you need
- Your Aadhaar card.
- A mobile number for OTP (it does not have to be linked to Aadhaar for login, but Aadhaar OTP eKYC needs the linked number).
- Your ration card number or PM-JAY family ID, which helps in searching.
Step by step: download on beneficiary.nha.gov.in
- Open beneficiary.nha.gov.in and select Beneficiary as the login type.
- Enter your mobile number and the captcha, then verify with OTP.
- Select the scheme: PM-JAY, or Ayushman Vay Vandana if you are 70 or older.
- Select your state and district.
- Search by Aadhaar number, family ID, ration card number, or name and location.
- Your family members appear in the results. Check the card status next to each name.
- If it says eKYC pending, click eKYC or Do eKYC for that person.
- Authenticate with Aadhaar OTP or face authentication. Face authentication needs the AadhaarFaceRD app installed on your phone.
- Take a live photo, confirm the details and submit. The request goes for approval.
- Once approved, which can take from a few minutes to a few days, log in again and click Download Card. The card downloads as a PDF.
Step by step: download on the Ayushman app
- Install the official Ayushman App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, published by the National Health Authority.
- Log in as a Beneficiary with your mobile number and OTP.
- Choose the scheme, state and district, and search using Aadhaar or family ID.
- Complete eKYC with face authentication for any member whose card is not yet made.
- After approval, open the member’s name and tap Download.
Ayushman Vay Vandana card for people aged 70 and above
- Available to every Indian citizen aged 70 or more, with no income limit.
- Gives up to Rs 5 lakh a year of free treatment. If the family is already covered by PM-JAY, the senior citizen gets an additional Rs 5 lakh top-up shared among eligible seniors in that family.
- People covered by CGHS, ECHS or CAPF health schemes can choose to stay in their scheme or move to PM-JAY. Those with private insurance or ESI can still take the Vay Vandana card.
- Apply on beneficiary.nha.gov.in or the Ayushman app by selecting Ayushman Vay Vandana as the scheme. Age is checked from Aadhaar.
How to use the card at a hospital
- Find an empanelled hospital on the PM-JAY hospital finder at hospitals.pmjay.gov.in or in the app.
- Go to the Ayushman desk with your Ayushman card or Aadhaar.
- The Arogya Mitra verifies you, and treatment is cashless for covered procedures, including three days of pre-hospitalisation and 15 days of post-hospitalisation expenses.
Common problems and fixes
- Name not found: try searching by ration card or with only part of the name. If still missing, you are probably not in the eligible list. Ask the district Ayushman office or a CSC.
- eKYC rejected: usually due to a name or photo mismatch with Aadhaar. Redo eKYC with a clear photo or update Aadhaar first.
- Card pending for long: approval is done by the State Health Agency. Call the helpline if it takes more than a week.
- Someone asking for money: the card is free everywhere. Report anyone charging a fee on 14555.
Helpline
National Health Authority toll-free helpline: 14555.
Sources
- Beneficiary portal, beneficiary.nha.gov.in, National Health Authority
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, pmjay.gov.in
- Cabinet decision on expanding PM-JAY to all citizens aged 70 and above, September 2024
Last updated: 23 September 2026.