Ayushman Card Documents, Eligibility and Application Guide

Posted on: Jan 28, 2026 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Ayushman Card Documents, Eligibility and Application Guide

As more states move towards digital patient records and quicker hospital registrations, more people are now looking to get the Ayushman Card. This PM-JAY e-card lets families receive cashless hospital treatment of up to ₹5 lakh a year under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, making healthcare far less stressful.

The government’s latest official update states that over 36.9 crore Ayushman cards have been issued as of 24 March 2025. It also confirms major eligibility expansions, including nearly 6 crore senior citizens aged 70+ (across about 4.5 crore families) being covered, irrespective of socio-economic status, and the inclusion of 37 lakh ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, and their families. (1)

Let’s discuss the Ayushman Card required documents and other things in detail.

What is the Ayushman Bharat Card

The Ayushman Bharat Card is a health protection card issued under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). With this family health cover card, one can access cashless and paperless hospitalisation cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care treatments at empanelled public and private hospitals.

The card imposes no age or family-size limits, and beneficiaries can enjoy coverage for pre- existing conditions from day one.

Eligibility Criteria

Before you apply for the Ayushman Bharat Card, here’s a quick look at who is eligible:

Rural Eligibility:

• Landless households that are primarily dependent on manual casual labour

• Female-headed households with no adult male (16–59 years)

• Destitute individuals living on alms

• Households without shelter

• Disabled members without able-bodied adult support

• Primitive tribal groups

• Households with only one room and kuccha walls or roof

• Legally released bonded labourers

• No adult members (16–59 years)

• Manual scavenger families

Urban Eligibility:

• Beggars

• Ragpickers

• Domestic workers

• Construction workers / welders / painters / coolies / security guards / plumbers / masons

• Cobblers / hawkers / street vendors

• Handicraft workers / tailors

• Sanitation workers / garbage collectors / sweepers

• Transport workers, such as helpers, drivers, cart pullers, conductors, rickshaw pullers

Exclusions (Not Eligible):

• Government employees

• Families owning land above a specified limit, regardless of whether it is irrigated or non-irrigated

• Households with income tax-paying members.

• Families having pucca houses with more than one room

• Families owning motorised vehicles, agricultural machinery, or fishing boats.

• Households with a monthly income above the poverty threshold.

To check your eligibility, follow the steps outlined below:

• Step 1: Go to the official Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY website.

• Step 2: Click on “Am I Eligible.”

• Step 3: Enter your mobile number and verify it with an OTP.

• Step 4: Search using your ration card number, Aadhaar number, or SECC (Socio- Economic Caste Census) data.

• Step 5: Confirm whether your family is listed as a beneficiary. (2)

List of Documents Required

Before you apply for the Ayushman Card, keep the following documents handy:

• Aadhaar card

• Proof of residence, such as a voter ID, a driving license, or a utility bill

• Ration card or family ID to establish household linkage

• Caste certificate if you belong to under reserved category

• Income certificate

• Government scheme eligibility proof if you have already enrolled in welfare schemes linked to PMJAY

How to Apply for Ayushman Card

Once you have checked that you are eligible, you can go ahead and apply either online or offline for this health insurance for a senior citizen card, whichever feels easier for you.

Online:

• Step 1: Go to the official website of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya.

• Step 2: Click on ‘Beneficiary Login’ and enter your mobile number.

• Step 3: You will receive an OTP on the mobile number provided. Enter the same to complete the verification.

• Step 4: Fill in your personal details, such as name, DOB, gender, and address.

• Step 5: Upload your Aadhaar and other required documents.

• Step 6: Submit the application form. (3)

Offline Application

• Step 1: Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or an empanelled hospital.

• Step 2: Share a copy of your Aadhaar, ration card, and other relevant documents alongside the duly filled application form. Also, share your mobile number.

• Step 3: The operator will verify your eligibility by checking the PMJAY database.

• Step 4: The operator will perform your biometric verification by taking your fingerprint or iris scan.

• Step 5: Once done, the CSC operator will upload your documents to the system. (2)

Note: Either you apply online or offline, your details are cross-checked with SECC and Aadhaar data. If approved, your household is confirmed as eligible.

Download Ayushman Card

• Step 1: Once approved, log in again at https://pmjay.gov.in.

• Step 2: Go to the ‘Download Ayushman Card’ section.

• Step 3: Enter your mobile number and the OTP received on the same.

• Step 4: Download the PMJAY e-card. The card is available in the PDF format. Print and keep a physical copy.

Note: The card does not require physical activation and is automatically activated after approval. You can use it immediately at any empanelled hospital across India.

Common Application Issues

Here are the common issues associated with the Ayushman Card:

• Sometimes, even a small spelling difference between your Aadhaar and the PM-JAY records can stop your e-KYC from going through and delay your card.

• If your mobile number is not linked to Aadhaar or is no longer active, OTP verification won’t work, and you will need to update your Aadhaar details first.

• For many senior citizens or people who do manual work, fingerprint or iris scans may fail because fingerprints fade over time or the device doesn’t read them properly.

• Life changes like marriage, a family member’s death, or moving to a new place are often not updated in the database, which leads to wrong family details during verification.

• Many applicants assume that creating an ABHA ID automatically offers insurance cover, which isn’t true.

• If you have moved to another state, you may face issues because your records are still linked to your earlier state, making verification more complicated.

Conclusion

The Ayushman Bharat Card has become one of the most important healthcare safety nets, especially as hospitals are turning digital. While the coverage is generous and the eligibility net is wide, most problems arise not from rejection but from data gaps, outdated records, or simple verification issues. Knowing who is eligible, keeping documents up to date, and understanding the differences between PM-JAY and ABHA can save time and frustration.

If you do not qualify for the Ayushman Card, it is important to buy health insurance online from a private insurer and choose coverage based on your medical needs and age.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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PMJAY Scheme: ₹5 Lakh Health Coverage for Families

ABHA Card: Ayushman Bharat Health Account

Ayushman Card vs ABHA Card: Key Differences