Ayushman card: check eligibility, apply and download (70+ too)

Quick answer: Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY gives cashless hospital treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year at empanelled government and private hospitals. Check if you're eligible and download the Ayushman card at beneficiary.nha.gov.in or in the Ayushman app using Aadhaar e-KYC — it often takes about 15 minutes. Every senior citizen aged 70+, whatever their income, can get the Ayushman Vay Vandana card. Helpline: 14555.

Key takeaways

• Cover is ₹5 lakh per family per year, cashless — no premium, no paperwork at the hospital.
• Eligibility for under-70s is based on SECC 2011 data and state lists — you can't simply "apply" if you're not on the list.
• All 70+ citizens qualify through the Vay Vandana card. Seniors already in a PM-JAY family get an extra ₹5 lakh just for themselves.
• Pre-existing illnesses are covered from day one. There's no limit on family size or age.
• Over 96 lakh Vay Vandana cards were issued by the end of 2025.

A hospital stay can wipe out years of savings. PM-JAY, the world's largest government-funded health assurance scheme, exists to stop that. This guide explains who qualifies, how to check, how to download the card, how to use it at a hospital, and what to do if a hospital refuses.

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#What PM-JAY covers

Not covered: outpatient (OPD) visits, routine check-ups, cosmetic procedures, fertility treatment, and drug rehabilitation, among others.

#Who is eligible

Families under 70: based on SECC data and state lists

For people under 70, eligibility comes from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 and lists added by states. In rural areas, it includes households with deprivation criteria such as a kutcha house, no adult earning member, landless labourers, or SC/ST households. In urban areas, it covers listed occupation groups such as rag pickers, domestic workers, street vendors, construction workers and others.

Many states have expanded the scheme with their own funds (for example, merged state health schemes), so more families qualify than the original list. That's why you should always check by Aadhaar, not guess.

Everyone 70 and above: Ayushman Vay Vandana

Since October 2024, all residents aged 70 or above qualify — no income test.

• If the senior's family is already covered under PM-JAY, the senior gets an extra top-up of ₹5 lakh a year for themselves, not shared with younger members.
• If the family isn't covered, the senior gets ₹5 lakh a year (shared with a spouse who is also 70+).
• Seniors with CGHS, ECHS or CAPF cover can choose between their current scheme and PM-JAY.
• Seniors with private health insurance or ESIC can still get the card.

#How to check if you're eligible

1. Go to beneficiary.nha.gov.in (or open the Ayushman app).
2. Log in as Beneficiary with your mobile number and OTP.
3. Choose your state, then search by Aadhaar number, family ID / ration card, or name and location.
4. If your name appears, you're eligible — continue to e-KYC and download.
5. If nothing appears, you're not on your state's list. You can ask at a Common Service Centre (CSC), an empanelled hospital's Ayushman Mitra desk, or call 14555.

#How to get and download your Ayushman card

1. On the beneficiary portal or app, find your name in the family list.
2. Click Do e-KYC. Choose Aadhaar OTP, fingerprint or face authentication.
3. Take a live photo if asked and confirm your details.
4. Submit. The card is approved after verification — often within about 15 minutes, sometimes a few days.
5. Return to the same screen and click Download Card. Save the PDF; you can print it.

Tip: Every family member needs their own card and e-KYC. Do it for your parents and children too, so nobody struggles at admission time.

#Ayushman Vay Vandana card (70+): step by step

1. Open the Ayushman app or beneficiary.nha.gov.in and log in with the senior's mobile number.
2. Select Enrol for Vay Vandana (70+).
3. Enter the senior's Aadhaar and complete Aadhaar e-KYC (age is read from Aadhaar).
4. Choose whether they're covered by CGHS, CAPF or ECHS, or "none of the above".
5. Fill in contact details, address and family members, then submit.
6. Download the card once approved — often within about 15 minutes.

Warning: Age is taken from Aadhaar. If the senior's date of birth on Aadhaar is wrong, fix it first at an Aadhaar centre (see updating Aadhaar).

#How to use the card at a hospital

1. Find an empanelled hospital: hospitals.pmjay.gov.in or the "Find Hospital" option in the app.
2. Go to the Ayushman Mitra / PM-JAY help desk at the hospital with the card (or Aadhaar).
3. The help desk verifies your identity and raises a pre-authorisation for the treatment package.
4. Get treated — no payment for covered treatment.
5. On discharge, you get a summary and the amount used. Your balance for the year reduces accordingly.

#If a hospital refuses or asks for money

Empanelled hospitals cannot charge for covered packages. If they do:

• Ask the Ayushman Mitra for the package details in writing.
• Call the 14555 helpline (toll-free) or your State Health Agency.
• File a grievance at cgrms.pmjay.gov.in with the bill and hospital name.

Keep all receipts — you may be refunded if the charge was wrong.

#Common problems and fixes

#Frequently asked questions

Is the Ayushman card free?

Yes. Getting the card and treatment under covered packages is free. A CSC may charge a small fee for printing.

Can I apply for an Ayushman card if I'm not on the list?

If you're under 70 and not in the SECC or state list, you generally can't enrol. If you're 70 or older, you can enrol through Vay Vandana.

Is the ₹5 lakh per person or per family?

Per family per year, shared by all members. Seniors 70+ get their own additional cover.

Does PM-JAY work in another state?

Yes. The card works at any empanelled hospital across India.

Are existing diseases covered?

Yes, from the first day. There's no waiting period.

Does it cover doctor visits and medicines at home?

No. It covers hospitalisation, plus tests and medicines up to 3 days before and 15 days after.

Can I keep private health insurance and an Ayushman card?

Seniors 70+ can. For under-70s, eligibility depends only on whether your family is on the list.

#Sources

• National Health Authority — PM-JAY
• PM-JAY — Beneficiary portal
• Outlook Money — Over 96 lakh Vay Vandana cards issued
• Outlook Money — Get your Ayushman card in 15 minutes
• ClearTax — Ayushman card eligibility and registration