The Ayushman Bharat 2026 scheme, officially called Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), gives eligible families free hospitalisation coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year. Over 42 crore Ayushman cards have been issued so far. If your family is identified under the SECC-2011 data or you are 70 years or older, you may already be eligible. Check your eligibility and download your card at pmjay.gov.in. Last updated: 17.05.2026.
Ayushman Bharat 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scheme Launch | 23 September 2018 |
| Senior Citizen (70+) Coverage Added | October 2024 |
| Current Status | Active — ongoing enrollment |
| Card Download | Available anytime at pmjay.gov.in |
| Helpline (24×7) | 14555 |
Ayushman Bharat 2026 – Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Check Eligibility & Download Card | Click Here |
| Official PM-JAY Portal | Click Here |
| UMANG App Portal | Click Here |
| National Health Authority | Click Here |
What is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest publicly-funded health insurance scheme. It covers hospitalisation costs up to ₹5 lakh per family per year at any empanelled government or private hospital. The coverage includes pre-hospitalisation (3 days), post-hospitalisation (15 days), surgery, ICU charges, medicine, and diagnostic costs. There are no restrictions on family size or age.
Key Benefits
- ₹5 lakh cashless hospitalisation per family per year
- Coverage at 29,000+ empanelled hospitals across India
- Pre and post-hospitalisation expenses covered
- No premium — completely free for eligible families
- All individuals aged 70 and above eligible under Ayushman Vay Vandana Card
- 1,929+ treatment packages covered including cancer, kidney, heart surgeries
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is based on the SECC-2011 (Socio-Economic Caste Census) data for rural and urban families. You do not apply for the scheme — your name either appears in the beneficiary database or it does not.
- Rural families: Those under deprivation categories D1 to D7 in SECC data
- Urban families: 11 occupational categories including domestic workers, street vendors, construction workers, and waste pickers
- Senior citizens (70+): All Indian citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of income
How to Check Eligibility and Download Ayushman Card
- Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in
- Enter your mobile number and verify with OTP
- Search your name using Aadhaar or family details
- If eligible, complete eKYC verification
- Download the Ayushman card — valid at all empanelled hospitals
You can also use the Ayushman App on Android or iOS, or visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) for assisted enrollment.
How to Use the Card at Hospital
- Go to the Ayushman Mitra desk at any empanelled hospital
- Show your Ayushman card and valid ID proof (Aadhaar preferred)
- Biometric or OTP verification confirms your identity
- Treatment starts — no cash payment for covered procedures
Helpline
Call 14555 (toll-free, 24×7) for queries in Hindi, English, and regional languages. For written queries: webmaster-pmjay@nha.gov.in
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