Government of India launched world’s largest healthcare insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) in 2018. And, by October 2025, more than 42,17,58,675 Ayushman Cards have already been issued and over 10,40,33,937 hospital treatments have been provided worth nearly ₹1.3 lakh crore. The scheme provides a free health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year and is known as the world’s biggest government health scheme.
Since its launch in 2018, Ayushman Bharat Yojana has helped crores of families get free hospital treatment across India. The government continues to expand the scheme every year so that no poor or middle-income family has to face money problems due to medical costs. All citizens above 70 years, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, and millions of poor families are now included under this scheme. The registration process has also become easier with full online facilities.
What is Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Ayushman Bharat Yojana, also known as PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), is a national health protection scheme started by the Government of India in 2018. It offers cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year in both government and private hospitals that are part of the scheme.
This means that if any member of the eligible family needs hospitalization for surgery, therapy, or any major disease, the hospital bill will be paid by the government. You do not have to spend any money from your pocket. The treatment is paperless and completely cashless. The scheme aims to help poor and middle-class families who earlier struggled to afford good medical care.
Quick Highlights
| Scheme Name | Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) |
| Launched On | 23 September 2018 |
| Implemented By | National Health Authority (NHA), Government of India |
| Annual Health Cover | ₹5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary hospital care |
| Families Covered (2025) | Over 15 crore families (80+ crore people) |
| Empaneled Hospitals | 32,000+ public and private hospitals across India |
| Beneficiary Cost | Free – 100% government funded |
| Special Coverage | ₹5 lakh extra cover for citizens above 70 years (Ayushman Vaya Vandana) |
| Helpline Number | 14555 (toll-free, 24×7) |
| Official Website | pmjay.gov.in |
Eligibility for Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Ayushman Bharat Yojana is meant for poor and at-risk families based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011. You don’t have to apply separately if your family is already listed in the official beneficiary database. The eligibility rules differ slightly for rural and urban families.
Rural Areas Eligibility
- Families living in one-room kucha houses
- Households with no adult earning member
- Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) families
- Families with disabled members and no adult support
- Landless laborers depending on daily wages
Urban Areas Eligibility
- Ragpickers, beggars, domestic workers, street vendors, construction workers, plumbers, drivers, shop helpers, and similar occupations
There is no age limit or family size restriction. Everyone in the eligible family, from newborns to grandparents, is covered. In 2024 – 25, the government added ASHA and Anganwadi workers and all citizens above 70 years under this scheme. Senior citizens get an additional ₹5 lakh health cover through the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card.
Check Ayushman Bharat Eligibility Online
You can check the eligibility for Ayushman Bharat Yojana coverage at the official portal by visiting pmjay.gov.in and click on “Am I Eligible” and then login using mobile number and enter details such as you Aadhaar number, state & district to check your eligibility for the scheme.
You can also call the toll-free number 14555.
Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Ayushman Bharat Yojana offers several strong benefits that make it one of the best healthcare schemes for Indians. Here are the main features:
- ₹5 Lakh Free Health Cover: Each family gets ₹5,00,000 per year for hospitalization expenses. The amount can be used by any family member as needed.
- Cashless and Paperless: No need to pay or submit forms at the hospital. The bill is settled directly between the hospital and the government.
- All Major Treatments Covered: More than 1,500 medical and surgical procedures across 24 specialties are included, from heart and kidney surgeries to cancer and maternity care.
- Pre and Post-Hospitalization Costs: Expenses up to 3 days before and 15 days after hospitalization are included in the package.
- Nationwide Portability: The Ayushman Card can be used anywhere in India, whether you live in a village or another state.
- All Ages and Family Sizes Covered: There is no limit on the number of family members or their ages.
- No Premium or Hidden Charges: It’s totally free for the beneficiary; the government bears the entire cost.
Documents Required for Ayushman Bharat Card
- Aadhaar Card: Mandatory for identity verification through OTP or biometric.
- Ration Card or Family ID: Useful to confirm family members linked to your household.
- Mobile Number: Required for OTP verification and status updates.
- Passport-size Photo: Optional, for printed cards.
There is no income proof or caste certificate needed in most cases. If your family is already listed as eligible in the government database, Aadhaar is usually enough to complete the verification.
How to Apply Online for Ayushman Bharat Card (PM-JAY Card)
You can apply yourself on the official website using the below steps or visit a nearby Common Service Centre (CSC).
STEP 1: Visit the official website pmjay.gov.in and click on the “Am I Eligible” option.
STEP 2: Enter your mobile number and captcha code, then click on Generate OTP. Verify the OTP received on your phone to log in.
STEP 3: Select your state and search your family details using your name, ration card, or Aadhaar number. If your name appears, click on it to start eKYC verification.
STEP 4: Choose Aadhaar OTP method for eKYC verification. You will receive another OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Enter it to verify your identity.
STEP 5: After successful verification, wait for about 10 – 15 minutes. Then log in again at beneficiary.nha.gov.in to download your Ayushman Bharat Card PDF. This is your official e-card containing your name, ID, and QR code.
If you find this process difficult, visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or an Ayushman Mitra desk at any government hospital. They will help you generate and print your card instantly, free of cost (only ₹30 may be charged for PVC printing if requested).
How to Check Ayushman Bharat Hospital List Online?
To get treatment under Ayushman Bharat, you need to visit a hospital that is part of the PM-JAY network. Here’s how to check which hospitals are included:
STEP 1: Visit Hospital search website of NHA at https://hem.nha.gov.in/search.
STEP 2: Choose any of the options from by pin code, district, facility name or advance search.
STEP 3: Choose your State and District from the dropdown menu or enter your PIN code.
STEP 4: You’ll see a list of all public and private hospitals under PM-JAY in your area. You can also download the full hospital list PDF from the site for offline use.
The hospital network now includes over 32,000 facilities across India. Each empanelled hospital displays the PM-JAY logo or “Ayushman Bharat Accepted Here” board at the entrance.
How to Download Ayushman Bharat Treatment Packages List?
National Health Authority publishes a detailed list of all treatments covered under Ayushman Bharat, known as the Health Benefit Packages (HBP). This list includes package names, codes, and government-approved rates.
STEP 1: Visit the official National Health Authority website: nha.gov.in.
STEP 2: Go to the “Packages and Rates” section and click “See Health Benefit Packages“.
STEP 3: Download the latest HBP PDF file. It contains all procedures and rates.
STEP 4: Open the PDF and search for your treatment (e.g., “Dialysis”, “Heart Surgery”, “C-Section”) using the find option.
The package list covers about 1,500+ procedures, including all major treatments like kidney transplant, heart bypass, cancer therapy, maternity care, orthopedics, and ICU services. The rates are fixed, so hospitals can’t charge extra. You can check these details anytime to know what is included in your free coverage.
Helpline and Support
For any issue related to Ayushman Bharat Card or hospital treatment, you can call the official toll-free helpline 14555. It’s available 24×7 in multiple languages. Alternate numbers are 1800-111-565 and 1800-11-0770.
Guidelines for Hospitals and Patients
For Hospitals: All empanelled hospitals must provide cashless treatment to Ayushman beneficiaries. They cannot charge extra money for covered treatments. Hospitals must follow fixed package rates and upload treatment details online. Misuse or overcharging can lead to removal from the network.
For Patients: Always carry your Ayushman Card or Aadhaar when visiting the hospital. Visit only empanelled hospitals, and do not pay any amount for covered services. If a hospital denies treatment, immediately call 14555. Treatment under this scheme is completely free, including medicines, tests, ICU, and surgeries.
Latest Updates and Statistics (2024 – 2025)
Ayushman Bharat Yojana has grown fast in the last two years, making it truly a nationwide health protection program.
- New Coverage for Senior Citizens: From 2024, all citizens aged 70+ are eligible for an additional ₹5 lakh cover under the “Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card”.
- ASHA & Anganwadi Workers Included: Around 37 lakh families of front-line health workers added in 2024.
- Almost All India Covered: 35 of 36 states and UTs now implement PM-JAY; only West Bengal runs its own scheme.
- Families Covered: 15.1 crore families (over 80 crore people) have been included.
- Hospital Network: 32,000+ empanelled hospitals.
- Treatments Provided: Over 10 crore hospitalizations worth ₹1.4 lakh crore completed.
- Digital Integration: 94% cards linked with Aadhaar and more than 76 crore digital ABHA health IDs created.
- Union Budget 2025-26: ₹9,406 crore allocated for PM-JAY scheme.
Most beneficiaries (82%) belong to rural India, showing the success of the scheme in reaching the poorest households. Dialysis and maternity care remain among the top treatments availed by people under PM-JAY.
FAQs
Who is eligible for Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Families listed under SECC 2011 in rural or urban poor categories are eligible. Also, ASHA/Anganwadi workers and all citizens aged 70+ can apply irrespective of income.
How can I apply for Ayushman Card?
Visit pmjay.gov.in, click “Am I Eligible”, verify with mobile OTP and Aadhaar, and download your card after eKYC. You can also visit a CSC or Ayushman Mitra desk for offline help.
What benefits do I get?
Free hospital treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year for the whole family covering 1,500+ diseases, including heart, cancer, kidney, and maternity care. The entire process is cashless.
Are there any fees?
No. The card and all services are completely free for eligible families. Only ₹30 may be charged for optional PVC printing at a CSC.
What if the hospital denies treatment?
Immediately call 14555 or inform the Ayushman Mitra at the hospital. The hospital is not allowed to refuse treatment to any verified beneficiary.