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

> PM-JAY gives cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family a year. Check eligibility, do Aadhaar e-KYC, download the card, and get the Vay Vandana card if you're 70+.

- URL: https://2search.in/knowledge/articles/oct-26/ayushman-card-download
- Genre: Government services
- Country: India
- Published: 2026-10-27
- Updated: 2026-10-27
- Publisher: 2search (https://2search.in)

> **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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![Ayushman card: check eligibility, apply and download (70+ too) Breakdown & Visual Guide](/images/articles/ayushman-card-download/diagram.svg)

## What PM-JAY covers

| Feature | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **Cover amount** | ₹5 lakh per family per year (floater — shared by members) |
| **Type** | **Cashless** at empanelled hospitals, government and private |
| **Hospital stay** | Secondary and tertiary care: surgery, ICU, cancer care, dialysis, cardiac procedures, and more |
| **Before and after** | Up to **3 days before** and **15 days after** hospitalisation — tests and medicines |
| **Procedures** | About **1,900+** treatment packages with fixed rates |
| **Pre-existing diseases** | Covered from day one |
| **Family size / age** | No cap |
| **Where it works** | Any empanelled hospital in India — it's portable across states |

**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](/update-aadhaar-address-online)).

## 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

| Problem | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| Name not found in search | Try other search options (ration card, name + village); else you may not be eligible |
| e-KYC failing | Check that your Aadhaar mobile is active; try fingerprint at a CSC |
| Card "pending" for days | Approval can take time after e-KYC — check again or visit the help desk |
| Wrong name or photo on card | Ask at a CSC or hospital help desk to correct it |
| Senior 70+ card not showing | Confirm age on Aadhaar is 70+; use the "Vay Vandana" enrolment, not the regular search |

## 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](https://pmjay.gov.in/)
- [PM-JAY — Beneficiary portal](https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/)
- [Outlook Money — Over 96 lakh Vay Vandana cards issued](https://www.outlookmoney.com/retirement/plan/health-insurance/over-960-million-ayushman-vay-vandana-cards-issued-since-launch-how-to-apply-for-it)
- [Outlook Money — Get your Ayushman card in 15 minutes](https://www.outlookmoney.com/personal-finance/get-your-ayushman-card-in-15-minutes-how-to-apply)
- [ClearTax — Ayushman card eligibility and registration](https://cleartax.in/s/ayushman-card)