Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card Apply Online 2026 for Senior Citizens, Check Eligibility

Senior citizens above 70 years can apply online for the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card and get free treatment of up to ₹5 lakh every year under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). This card for seniors, called the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, has no income limit, so every citizen aged 70 or above can apply, whether rich or poor.

Senior citizens can register by visiting the official website at www.pmjay.gov.in or beneficiary.nha.gov.in, or by using the Ayushman App. As of February 2026, over 1.14 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards have already been issued. Check out all the steps to register in this article.

Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card for Senior Citizens 2026

With the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card, citizens get cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per year at empanelled hospitals. For senior citizens aged 70 and above, the government gives a separate Vay Vandana Card with ₹5 lakh cover just for them.

If the senior citizen's family is already covered under PM-JAY, the senior member gets an extra ₹5 lakh top-up that is not shared with the rest of the family. In Delhi, by adding state funds, the total cover for seniors goes up to ₹10 lakh. Pre-existing diseases are covered from day one, with no waiting period.

Latest Update on Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card for Senior Citizens

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card for citizens above 70 years was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 October 2024, and enrolment is going on across all states and union territories. If you are eligible, you can apply on the PM-JAY website, through the Ayushman App, or by visiting your nearest government hospital or CSC centre for offline registration. The Ayushman App also has a Face Auth feature so you can complete e-KYC with a live photo instead of an OTP.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) was launched by Prime Minister Modi on 23 September 2018. It is one of the largest health insurance schemes in the world, helping over 62 crore poor and middle-class citizens. Under this scheme, you get free treatment of up to ₹5 lakh every year in empanelled government and private hospitals. The scheme also covers lab tests, health check-ups, hospital stays, and more.

Ayushman Bharat Health Card Objectives

Here are the main goals of the Ayushman Bharat Health Card:

• Provide cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per year.
• Strengthen Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (health and wellness centres).
• Make the health system more digital.
• Help poor families and elderly citizens get healthcare easily.

Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card

• Health Coverage: Cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.
• Senior Citizens: Those above 70 years get a separate ₹5 lakh cover, with no income limit.
• Medical Services: Free health check-ups, lab tests, and hospital care.
• Easy Paperless Process: Cashless treatment at PM-JAY hospitals without paperwork.

nha.gov.in Ayushman Health Card Above 70 Years Old Citizens Apply Online

Eligibility for Ayushman Bharat Health Card for 70+ Senior Citizens

Eligibility for the senior citizen card is simple, as there is no income condition:

• Must be a permanent resident of India.
• Must be 70 years of age or above, verified through Aadhaar.
• No income limit, so any senior 70 or above can apply regardless of economic status.

Steps to Apply Online for Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card

Here is how you can apply for the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card:

STEP 1: Go to the official website at beneficiary.nha.gov.in, or open the Ayushman App.

STEP 2: Log in using your mobile number and the OTP that comes on your phone.

STEP 3: Enter your Aadhaar number to check eligibility. If your name is not found, do a fresh e-KYC, or use Face Auth on the app.

STEP 4: Upload your photo and fill in your personal details.

STEP 5: Review the details and click submit. After approval, usually within 15 to 30 minutes, you can download your card.

How to Download the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card

If you have registered under PM-JAY, follow these steps to download your card:

STEP 1: Go to beneficiary.nha.gov.in or open the Ayushman App.

STEP 2: Log in by entering your mobile number and OTP.

STEP 3: Find the download card option on your dashboard.

STEP 4: Complete the OTP verification and download your digital card as a PDF.

Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card Beneficiary List

After completing the verification, you can check if your name is on the Ayushman Bharat beneficiary list by visiting beneficiary.nha.gov.in. If you face any issue, contact the Ayushman Bharat helpline at 14555.