Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) stands as the world's largest government-funded health protection scheme, offering eligible families a free health cover of ₹5 lakh per year. Spanning across all 36 states and union territories, the scheme ensures cashless and paperless secondary and tertiary hospital care at thousands of empanelled public and private facilities throughout India.
Ayushman Bharat Yojana 2026 Overview
The National Health Authority (NHA) administers the initiative, which has progressively expanded its coverage base to include over 60 crore individuals across the country. The government-funded protection shields poor, vulnerable, and middle-income households from catastrophic medical expenses. Senior citizens aged 70 and above receive an additional standalone health cover of ₹5 lakh via the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card, while essential grassroots personnel such as ASHA and Anganwadi workers, alongside e-Shram registered migrant workers, enjoy automatic inclusion.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) |
| Implementing Authority | National Health Authority (NHA), Government of India |
| Annual Health Cover | ₹5 Lakh per family per year |
| Geographic Reach | All 36 States and Union Territories |
| Empanelled Hospitals | 38,000+ public and private hospitals |
| Official Portal | pmjay.gov.in |
| Helpline Number | 14555 (24x7 Toll-Free) |
Key Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for PM-JAY primarily roots in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data for rural and urban poor categories. Rural parameters encompass households residing in one-room kucha houses, families lacking an adult earning member, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe groups, disabled-headed households, and landless manual casual laborers. Urban criteria accommodate daily wage earners, domestic workers, street vendors, construction workers, ragpickers, and similar occupations. Furthermore, all senior citizens aged 70 or older qualify independently of income brackets.
Benefits and Package Structure
Enrolled beneficiaries obtain comprehensive access to over 1,900 medical and surgical intervention packages spanning 27 distinct clinical specialties. Key advantages include:
- Complete waiver of hospitalization expenses up to ₹5,00,000 annually.
- Cashless and paperless settlement directly between the hospital and public authorities.
- Inclusion of pre-hospitalization costs for 3 days and post-hospitalization expenses for 15 days.
- Nationwide interoperability allowing treatment usage across any state boundary.
Important Dates & Milestones
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Initial Nationwide Launch | 23 September 2018 |
| West Bengal Cashless Rollout | 1 July 2026 |
Application and Card Download Process
Eligible individuals can generate their Ayushman Bharat Digital Card digitally without paying processing fees.
- Access the official web portal at pmjay.gov.in and select the 'Am I Eligible' link.
- Input an active mobile number, complete the CAPTCHA validation, and authenticate via the generated One-Time Password (OTP).
- Input identification parameters such as state, district, and ration card or Aadhaar number to find matching family entries.
- Complete the mandatory e-KYC procedure utilizing Aadhaar biometric or OTP verification.
- Wait briefly, then navigate to beneficiary.nha.gov.in to view and download the official Ayushman Bharat Card PDF.
Alternatively, citizens can visit any local Common Service Centre (CSC) or hospital-based Ayushman Mitra desk for assisted physical verification and card generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Families listed under SECC 2011 poor categories, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, e-Shram registered migrant workers, and all citizens aged 70 and above are eligible.
How can I apply for an Ayushman Card?
You can apply online by visiting pmjay.gov.in, checking eligibility using your mobile number, completing Aadhaar e-KYC, and downloading the card from beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
What medical treatments are covered under PM-JAY?
Over 1,900 medical and surgical procedures across 27 specialties—including heart surgeries, cancer care, kidney treatments, and maternity services—are covered under cashless hospitalization.
Are there any application or card generation fees?
No, the card generation and treatment services are completely free for eligible beneficiaries, though a minor fee of up to ₹30 may apply for optional PVC card printing at Common Service Centres.
What should I do if an empanelled hospital denies treatment?
You should immediately contact the 24x7 toll-free helpline number 14555 or speak to the Ayushman Mitra desk present at the hospital facility.
Does PM-JAY cover outpatient (OPD) expenses?
No, PM-JAY covers inpatient hospitalization expenses only, while primary consultations and basic medicines are managed through local Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Official Links
Details are compiled from official notices. Always confirm eligibility, dates and fees on the official website before applying. Jankari Portal never charges any fee.