Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) remains the world’s largest government-funded health insurance scheme, and in 2026 it continues to provide a crucial safety net for millions of Indian families. Whether you are checking your eligibility for the first time, need to download a lost Ayushman card, or are a senior citizen looking to claim the new top-up benefit, this definitive guide walks you through every step.
In this freshly updated 2026 article, you’ll learn exactly how to check your PMJAY status, download your digital Ayushman card using three reliable methods, locate a cashless hospital near you, and understand the special Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana for citizens aged 70 years and above. All information is verified from official National Health Authority (NHA) sources, ensuring you act on trustworthy advice. No matter which state you live in, this guide puts the entire process at your fingertips.
Ayushman Bharat PMJAY — Key Facts 2026
Before diving into the download steps, here are the essential numbers and rules that govern the scheme this year:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sum Insured | ₹5 lakh per family per year (on a family floater basis) |
| Coverage Scope | Hospitalisation, surgeries, day-care treatments, pre & post-hospitalisation expenses |
| Empanelled Hospitals | Over 28,000 government and private hospitals across India |
| Packages Covered | More than 1,949 medical, surgical and diagnostic packages |
| Portability | Yes, cashless treatment is available in any empanelled hospital in the country |
| Eligibility Database | Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011, plus state-specific expanded lists |
| Senior Citizen Add-on | All individuals aged 70+ are now eligible for a separate ₹5 lakh cover under Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana (October 2024 onwards) |
How to Check Ayushman Bharat PMJAY Eligibility Online (Under 2 Minutes)
Eligibility is primarily determined by the SECC 2011 database, with many states later expanding their beneficiary lists. To find out if your family is covered right now, follow this simple process on the official NHA portal.
- Visit the Official PMJAY Portal
Open a web browser on your phone or computer and go to the secure site: beneficiary.nha.gov.in. Always check that the URL begins with “https” to avoid fake websites. - Enter Your Registered Mobile Number
On the homepage, locate the login section and input the mobile number that is linked either to your ration card or your family’s PMJAY record. This number is essential for verification. - Select Your State
A dropdown list will appear — carefully choose the state your family is registered in. This directs the system to the correct state-level database. - Generate OTP
Click the “Generate OTP” button. A six-digit One-Time Password will be instantly sent to the mobile number you entered. - Enter OTP and Login
Type the received OTP into the designated field and submit. The system will validate your credentials and log you in. - Check Your Eligibility Status
Once logged in, your family’s eligibility status and the list of enrolled family members will appear on the screen. If you are listed as eligible, you will see an option to download your Ayushman card immediately.
How to Download Your Ayushman Card in 2026 — 3 Trusted Methods
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you can obtain your official digital Ayushman card in one of three ways. Each method is free, official, and designed to give you a valid PDF for your records.
🌐 Method 1: Official PMJAY Portal (beneficiary.nha.gov.in)
This is the most direct method for anyone with internet access and a registered mobile number.
- Navigate to beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
- Enter your mobile number and click “Generate OTP”.
- Input the OTP to log in to your account.
- You will see the list of family members covered under your PMJAY policy. Select the specific member whose card you wish to download.
- Look for the “Download Card” button (sometimes labelled “Print Card”) and click it.
- A PDF file containing the Ayushman Vaya Vandana or PMJAY card will be generated. Save this file to your device or take a printout. It contains all the essential details required for hospital admission.
Important: The mobile number you use must already be registered in the PMJAY or ration card database. If you have recently changed numbers, visit an empanelled hospital’s Ayushman Mitra desk to update your details first.
📱 Method 2: UMANG App (Android & iOS)
The Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) provides a seamless government service experience on smartphones.
- Install the “UMANG” app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Register or log in using the mobile number linked to your PMJAY record.
- On the dashboard, use the search bar to find “PMJAY” or “Ayushman Bharat”.
- Tap on the PMJAY service, then select “Beneficiary Login”.
- You will be prompted to authenticate with an OTP sent to your device.
- Once inside, your family data will be displayed. Choose the member and download the card directly from the app. The PDF can be saved, shared, or printed right from your phone.
🏥 Method 3: Visit Any Empanelled Hospital (Instant Print)
If you face technical issues online or do not have a smartphone, this is the most reliable fallback. The service is free of cost.
- Locate any hospital empanelled under PMJAY in your area (use the hospital finder explained later in this guide).
- Walk into the Ayushman Mitra Help Desk, which is a dedicated counter present in every empanelled hospital.
- Show your Aadhaar card and ration card (or other family identification proof) to the Ayushman Mitra.
- The Mitra will instantly verify your eligibility from the central database using your Aadhaar number.
- Once confirmed, your Ayushman card is printed on the spot and handed to you. There is no fee for this service.
👴 Ayushman Card for Senior Citizens (70+ Years) — Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana
A landmark expansion of the scheme took effect in October 2024: all Indian citizens aged 70 years and above are now entitled to free health coverage, irrespective of their income or socio-economic status. This initiative, named Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana, ensures that no elderly citizen is left without financial protection for hospitalisation.
How Senior Citizen Coverage Works
- Universal Eligibility: If you are 70+ years old and possess a valid Aadhaar card, you can enrol even if your family name never appeared on the old SECC list.
- Coverage Amount: You receive a health cover of ₹5 lakh per year that is exclusively for the senior citizen member. This is not shared with the family; it is a dedicated top-up.
- Top-Up Logic: If the senior citizen’s family is already covered under the regular PMJAY family floater of ₹5 lakh, the Vaya Vandana card adds an additional ₹5 lakh top-up just for the elderly member, effectively giving that individual access to up to ₹10 lakh per year. If the family was not previously covered, the senior citizen still receives a fresh, standalone ₹5 lakh cover.
How to Download the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card
The process is nearly identical to the regular card but requires Aadhaar-based age verification.
- Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in or open the UMANG app.
- Look for and select the option labelled “Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana” or “Senior Citizen Card”.
- Enter the senior citizen’s 12-digit Aadhaar number and the mobile number currently linked to that Aadhaar. Verify with OTP.
- The system will automatically confirm that the Aadhaar holder is 70 years of age or older.
- Once verified, you can download, save, or print the Ayushman Vaya Vandana card. The card will clearly state that it is under the senior citizen scheme, separate from any existing family PMJAY card.
Important note: Even if your Aadhaar mobile number is not registered with the ration card, the Vaya Vandana enrolment uses Aadhaar e-KYC. If the online process fails, simply visit any empanelled hospital’s Ayushman Mitra desk with the original Aadhaar card; they will issue the card on the spot.
🏥 How to Find Ayushman Bharat Empanelled Hospitals Near You
Cashless treatment is only valid at hospitals that are empanelled with PMJAY. With over 28,000 facilities nationwide, there is likely one within reach. Use the official hospital finder to avoid being turned away.
- Visit the Hospital Portal
Open hospitals.pmjay.gov.in — the dedicated search engine for empanelled facilities. - Apply Filters
Select your State and District from the dropdowns. For more precision, you can also choose:- Hospital type: Government or Private.
- Specialty: Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Oncology, etc. This helps if you need a specific treatment.
- Search and Browse
Click the “Search” button. A complete list of hospitals will appear, including their full address, contact phone numbers, and the specialities they are empanelled for. - Use the Ayushman Mitra Desk
Once you reach the hospital, do not go directly to the billing counter. Head straight to the Ayushman Mitra Help Desk. They are trained to verify your card, check eligibility, initiate the cashless pre-authorisation, and guide you through the entire admission process — all free of cost.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — Ayushman Bharat 2026
Q1. How can I check my Ayushman Bharat eligibility online without a ration card?
You primarily need the mobile number linked to your PMJAY family record. If your Aadhaar is correctly seeded in the SECC database, you can also try the Aadhaar-based login on the beneficiary portal. However, the most foolproof method if you have no documents handy is to visit an Ayushman Mitra desk with just your Aadhaar card.
Q2. Who exactly is considered eligible for the ₹5 lakh cover under PMJAY?
Eligibility is initially drawn from the SECC 2011 deprived rural and urban occupational categories. Additionally, many states have expanded coverage to other vulnerable groups. The only conclusive check is by logging into the official NHA portal or visiting a hospital help desk with your Aadhaar.
Q3. Is the ₹5 lakh sum insured per person or for the whole family?
The ₹5 lakh cover under PMJAY is on a family floater basis. This means the entire family shares the coverage amount annually. However, the new Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana provides a separate, additional ₹5 lakh cover exclusively for a senior citizen member (70+), which is not shared.
Q4. Can I use my Ayushman card in any hospital across India?
Yes, PMJAY offers national portability. You can receive cashless treatment at any of the 28,000+ empanelled hospitals, even if you are travelling far from your home state. Just ensure the hospital displays the Ayushman Bharat empanelment signage and always go through the Ayushman Mitra desk for admission.
Q5. What is the process if I’m a senior citizen but my family was never on the PMJAY list?
You are still fully eligible. Go to the beneficiary portal, select the “Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana” login, and enter your Aadhaar. Since the scheme is universal for all 70+, your previous non-eligibility under regular PMJAY does not matter. You will be issued a brand new, standalone ₹5 lakh card.
Q6. What is the official helpline number if I am stuck or want to report fraud?
The 24×7 national helpline is 14555. You can call from anywhere in India. For written complaints or to report a hospital demanding money, use the grievance portal at pmjay.gov.in or send an email to beneficiaries@nha.gov.in. Never pay anyone for an Ayushman card; all services are free.