How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Card (PMJAY): Ayushman Bharat Card is one of the most helpful health schemes launched by the Government of India. It is officially known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). This scheme is made for families who cannot afford costly medical treatment. With this card, eligible beneficiaries can get cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year in selected government and private hospitals.
There is a confusion among many people who still think they need to visit an office or agent to make this card, but the truth is you can now check your eligibility and apply online using a mobile phone and internet. Therefore today in this article, I will explain everything in a very simple and friendly way, so you can apply without facing any difficulties.
How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Card (PMJAY)
What is the Ayushman Bharat Card?
Ayushman Bharat Card is a health insurance card provided under PM-JAY. If your name is included in the beneficiary list, then you can use this card to get free medical treatment in empaneled hospitals.
The biggest benefit of this scheme is that you don’t have to arrange money during emergencies because the treatment is cashless.
Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Card
Here are the main advantages of having an Ayushman Bharat Card:
- Free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year per family
- Works in both government and private hospitals
- Cashless and paperless process at hospitals
- Covers major surgeries, medicines, tests, and hospital charges
- Helps during medical emergencies without financial stress
- No need to pay premium like private insurance
Eligibility for Ayushman Bharat Card
Ayushman Bharat Card is not for everyone. Only eligible families can apply for this card based on government data.
Generally, eligibility is checked through:
- SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census) dat
- abase
- Ration card details
- Family ID records (in some states)
You can confirm eligibility online by checking your name in the list.
Documents Required to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Card
Before you start, keep these documents ready:
- Aadhaar Card
- Mobile number (linked with Aadhaar is helpful)
- Ration Card / Family ID (if available)
- Address proof (if asked)
- Passport size photo (sometimes required)
- Any government ID proof (if Aadhaar is not available in special cases)
Tip: Aadhaar Card is the most commonly used document for verification.
How to Check Ayushman Bharat Eligibility Online
To apply for the card, the first step is to check whether you are eligible or not.
Step 1: Visit the official PMJAY Beneficiary Portal
Go to the PMJAY official beneficiary checking portal of Ayushman Bharat.
Step 2: Click on “Beneficiary”
You will find a login form where you will be asked to login as Beneficiary or Operator. You have to be selected as a beneficiary.
Step 3: Enter your mobile number
Enter your mobile number and verify it using OTP.
Step 4: Search using details
Now you can search your name using:
- Ration card number
- Aadhaar number
- Name and state
- Family details
Step 5: Confirm your name in the list
If your family name is available, you are eligible for Ayushman Bharat Card.
How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Card Online (PMJAY)
Now let’s come to the main part — how to apply online.
Step 1: Go to PMJAY official portal
Visit the PMJAY official website or beneficiary portal.
Step 2: Sign Up or Login using mobile OTP
If you do not have an account then you have to sign up first. Otherwise you can login through your mobile number and OTP.
Step 3: Find your family name
Search your details properly and select your family record.
Step 4: Select the member for card creation
After selecting the family, choose the person whose card you want to generate.
Step 5: Do e-KYC verification
In most cases, e-KYC is done through Aadhaar-based verification.
This step may include:
- Aadhaar OTP verification
- Biometric verification (in some cases)
Step 6: Submit details
Fill in the required details carefully and upload documents (if asked).
Step 7: Ayushman Card gets generated
After successful verification, your Ayushman Bharat Card will be generated and you can download it.
You can take a printout and use it in hospitals anytime.
How to Download Ayushman Bharat Card Online
Once the card is approved/generated, you can download it easily.
Steps to download:
- Login to the portal
- Search beneficiary details
- Select the member
- Click on Download Ayushman Card
- Save the PDF and print it
How to Apply if the Online Option Is Not Working?
Sometimes, people may face issues like OTP is not coming, name is not found, or portal is not opening. In that case, don’t panic. You can still apply through offline help centers.
You can visit:
- Common Service Centre (CSC)
- Ayushman Bharat Kendra
- Government hospital helpdesk
- Nearest empaneled hospital
They can generate your card after verifying documents.
Many CSC centers do it quickly with a small service charge.
Common Problems and Solutions
Here are a few common issues people face and what you can do:
1. Name not showing in the list
- Double-check spelling
- Try searching through ration card number
- Select correct state and district
2. OTP not coming
- Wait for 2–3 minutes
- Check network
- Try again later
3. Aadhaar verification failed
- Make sure Aadhaar details are correct
- Check if mobile number is linked with Aadhaar
- Visit CSC for biometric verification
4. Website not opening
- Try using another browser like Chrome
- Use mobile data instead of Wi-Fi
- Try at night when website traffic is low
How to Use Ayushman Bharat Card in the Hospital?
Using the card in the hospital is very simple.
- Visit any PMJAY empaneled hospital
- Show your Ayushman card / Aadhaar card
- Hospital will verify your details
- After approval, treatment will be cashless
You don’t need to pay anything for covered treatments.
Important Things to Remember
Before you apply, keep these important points in mind:
- Ayushman Bharat Card is available only for eligible families
- Card generation is free, but CSC may charge a small fee for service
- Your details must match with government records
- Always use official portals and trusted centers
- Don’t share OTP or Aadhaar details with unknown people
Ayushman Bharat Card vs Swasthya Sathi Card
| Feature | Ayushman Bharat Card (PM-JAY) | Swasthya Sathi Card |
|---|---|---|
| Launched By | Government of India | Government of West Bengal |
| Scheme Type | National health insurance scheme | State health insurance scheme |
| Applicable State/Area | Across India (eligible families) | West Bengal (residents) |
| Main Purpose | Cashless treatment for eligible poor and needy families | Cashless healthcare support for families in West Bengal |
| Coverage Amount | Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year | Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year (including additional cover for women) |
| Beneficiary Selection | Based on SECC data / eligibility criteria | Mostly for families in West Bengal (many can enroll) |
| Card Issued To | Eligible family members under PM-JAY | Family members under Swasthya Sathi scheme |
| Cashless Treatment | Yes | Yes |
| Hospital Coverage | Government + empaneled private hospitals | Government + empaneled private hospitals |
| Portability (Outside State) | Yes, can be used across India in empaneled hospitals | Limited, mostly within West Bengal (some portability may apply) |
| Eligibility Check | Online through PM-JAY beneficiary portal | Through Swasthya Sathi portal / enrollment records |
| How to Apply | Online eligibility check + e-KYC / CSC help | Enrollment camps / online process / government assistance |
| Documents Required | Aadhaar, ration card (if applicable), mobile number, ID proof | Aadhaar, address proof, mobile number, ID proof |
| Best For | Eligible families who want nationwide cashless health cover | West Bengal families who want state-supported cashless treatment |
Conclusion
Ayushman Bharat Card is a blessing for families who need medical help but struggle due to the hospital expenses. The online process has made it easy to check eligibility, complete verification, and download the card from home. If you are eligible, you should apply as soon as possible and keep the card ready for emergency situations. Therefore, if you face any problem, you can visit CSC or the nearest Ayushman helpdesk to get support. However, If you want to make a PAN Card from your home or if you are facing any problem to make a PAN Card then you can read our article How to Apply for a PAN Card Online at Home.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
-
Who can apply for the Ayushman Bharat Card?
- Any eligible person or family whose name is included in the official PM-JAY beneficiary list can apply for the Ayushman Bharat Card. Eligibility is usually decided based on government records such as SECC data and other approved criteria.
-
How to check Ayushman Bharat eligibility online?
- You can check your eligibility by visiting the official PM-JAY website and using the “Am I Eligible” option. After verifying your mobile number with OTP, you can search your details using your ration card number, Aadhaar number, state, and family information.
-
How to get the Ayushman Card if my name is not in the list?
- If your name is not available in the beneficiary list, then you may not be able to generate the Ayushman Card online. However, you should visit the nearest CSC centre or Ayushman helpdesk to verify your details and confirm whether any correction or update is possible in the records.
-
How to activate Ayushman Bharat Card?
- Ayushman Card activation usually happens automatically after successful e-KYC verification. You need to complete Aadhaar OTP or biometric verification through the official portal or CSC centre. After that, the card becomes active and ready to use in empaneled hospitals.
-
Who can create an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)?
- Any Indian citizen can create an ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account). It is a digital health ID. It will help you to manage and access your medical records safely. You can create ABHA online using your mobile number or Aadhaar-based verification.
No comments:
Post a Comment