Ayushman Bharat — Eligibility and How to Enroll in 2026

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is the world''s largest government-funded health insurance programme. Launched in September 2018, it provides health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization. In 2024, the scheme was extended to cover all senior citizens above 70 years of age regardless of income, and in 2026 the government further expanded the scheme''s scope to include additional critical care procedures and mental health treatments.

Who Is Eligible for Ayushman Bharat?

Eligibility for AB PM-JAY is determined based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data for rural and urban areas. The scheme covers approximately 12 crore poor and vulnerable families (about 55 crore beneficiaries). You are likely eligible if you fall into any of the following categories:

Rural Areas — Automatically Included:

Families without shelter or living in one-room houses with kuchcha walls and roof
Families with no adult member between ages 16–59
Families headed by a female with no adult male member aged 16–59
Disabled member with no able-bodied adult in the family
SC/ST households
Families surviving on manual casual labour
Landless households deriving major income from manual casual labour

Urban Areas — Occupational Categories Covered:

Rag pickers, beggars, domestic workers, street vendors, cobblers
Construction workers, plumbers, masons, painters, security guards
Sweepers, sanitation workers, gardeners
Home-based workers, artisans, handicraft workers, tailors
Transport workers — drivers, conductors, helpers, rickshaw pullers
Shop workers, assistants in small establishments, delivery boys, waiters
Electricians, mechanics, repair workers, washermen

Senior Citizens (70+): From October 2024, all Indian citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible for ₹5 lakh annual health cover under AB PM-JAY, irrespective of income or SECC listing. They receive a separate top-up coverage of ₹5 lakh, over and above any existing family coverage.

What Does Ayushman Bharat Cover?

AB PM-JAY covers over 1,949 treatment packages across 27 medical specialties including:

Oncology (cancer treatment), cardiology, neurosurgery
Orthopaedics, ophthalmology, ENT
Neonatology and paediatric surgery
Burns management and plastic surgery
Renal diseases, dialysis
Mental health treatments (added in 2026)
Day-care surgeries and procedures

Coverage includes pre-hospitalization expenses (3 days before admission), hospitalization costs (room, ICU, doctor''s fees, surgery, medicines, diagnostics), and post-hospitalization follow-up for 15 days. There is no cap on family size — the full ₹5 lakh is available to any member who needs it.

How to Check Your Eligibility

Before enrolling, verify your eligibility through these steps:

Visit the official portal: pmjay.gov.in
Click on "Am I Eligible?"
Enter your mobile number and OTP for authentication
Select your state and enter your name, HHD number, ration card number, or mobile number
Your eligibility status will be displayed along with your family details

You can also call the AB PM-JAY helpline at 14555 (toll-free) to check eligibility over the phone.

How to Get Your Ayushman Card

The Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card is your gateway to cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals. Here is how to get yours:

Method 1 — CSC Centre: Visit your nearest Common Service Centre. Carry your Aadhaar card and ration card. The operator will verify your eligibility, capture your biometrics, and issue your Ayushman card on the spot. The service is completely free of charge.

Method 2 — Empanelled Hospitals: Visit the Ayushman Mitra desk at any empanelled hospital. They have dedicated staff to help eligible beneficiaries get their cards made during or before their hospital visit.

Method 3 — Online (for Senior Citizens 70+): Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in, select "Senior Citizen Registration," authenticate with Aadhaar OTP, and download your digital Ayushman card directly.

How to Use Ayushman Bharat at Hospitals

Visit any Ayushman Bharat empanelled hospital (government or private) — look for the green "Ayushman Bharat" sign
Go to the Ayushman Mitra help desk at the hospital''s reception
Show your Ayushman card (physical or digital on your phone) and Aadhaar card
The hospital verifies your identity and creates an e-card on the spot if needed
Your treatment is arranged on a cashless basis — no money needs to change hands
Upon discharge, the hospital submits the claim directly to the insurance company

Finding Empanelled Hospitals Near You

As of 2026, over 29,000 hospitals across India are empanelled under AB PM-JAY. To find hospitals near you, visit the Hospital Finder at pmjay.gov.in or call 14555. You can search by state, district, and medical specialty to find the nearest hospital equipped to treat your specific condition.

State-Specific Top-Ups

Many states have launched their own health schemes that work alongside AB PM-JAY to provide additional coverage. For example, Rajasthan''s Chiranjeevi Yojana provides ₹25 lakh coverage, Tamil Nadu''s Chief Minister''s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme covers up to ₹5 lakh for additional procedures, and Delhi''s scheme provides coverage to residents not covered by PM-JAY. Check your state government''s health department website for details of state-specific benefits you may be entitled to claim.