If you are looking for a simple and free way to get cashless treatment for serious illnesses, the Ayushman card is the key document you need. Millions of families across India use it to receive hospital care under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the government’s flagship health insurance scheme.
This guide explains how to apply for an Ayushman card online and offline, who is eligible, what documents you need, how to fix common errors, and how to use the card at a hospital. Every section is written in short paragraphs so that you can follow it easily, even if you are doing this for the first time.
What Is the Ayushman Card?
The Ayushman card is a digital identity card issued to eligible beneficiaries under AB PM-JAY. It is sometimes called the Ayushman Bharat Golden Card, PMJAY card or Ayushman health card. It carries your name, a unique beneficiary ID and a QR code, and it proves that you are covered under the scheme. The scheme offers a health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation, which makes it one of the largest publicly funded medical insurance programmes in the world.
The card does not work like a bank card and carries no money. Instead, it links you to the scheme’s database so that an empanelled hospital can verify your eligibility, raise a claim with the government and treat you without asking for payment. That is why it is described as cashless and paperless treatment. Without the card, you can still sometimes get verified at the hospital, but the process is faster and smoother if you already have the card downloaded.
Why You Should Download the Ayushman Card in Advance
Many families wait until an emergency to start the process, and that creates stress at the worst possible time. Downloading your card in advance has several benefits. First, the hospital’s Ayushman Mitra can verify you within minutes instead of hours. Second, you avoid delays in pre-authorisation for planned surgeries such as knee replacement, cataract surgery, heart surgery or cancer treatment. Third, the card is saved on your phone as a PDF, so you can show it even if you forget the printed copy. Fourth, having the card means you already know your e-KYC status, so any problem with Aadhaar linking can be solved before you need to be admitted.
Who Is Eligible for the Ayushman Card?
Eligibility is based mainly on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data, and families in specific deprivation categories in rural and urban areas are included. Several states have widened coverage by adding more groups, and frontline workers such as ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers have also been brought under the scheme. Because the rules differ slightly between states, the safest way to confirm your eligibility is to check the official beneficiary portal or the Ayushman App.
One important group is senior citizens. The Ayushman Vay Vandana card, launched on 29 October 2024, extends PMJAY benefits to every citizen aged 70 years and above, regardless of income. A Lok Sabha reply in December 2025 stated that more than 93 lakh Vay Vandana cards had been created. If you are a senior citizen, you can apply for this card through the beneficiary portal by choosing the Vay Vandana option, or through an empanelled hospital or Common Service Centre. This makes it one of the most useful forms of senior citizen health insurance available in India.
Documents Required for Ayushman Card Download
You do not need many documents, but you do need to have the right ones ready. Keep your Aadhaar card handy, as it is used for e-KYC. Your mobile number should be linked to Aadhaar or at least be active so that you can receive OTPs. A ration card or other family identifier can help you search for your family on the portal. Some states ask for additional proof such as a state-issued family ID. If you are applying for a family member, keep their Aadhaar details ready as well.
For a senior citizen applying for the Vay Vandana card, Aadhaar proving age 70 or above is the main requirement. If your Aadhaar has a wrong date of birth or a different mobile number, fix it first through the Aadhaar update process, because mismatches are a leading reason for failed e-KYC.
How to Download Ayushman Card Online (Beneficiary Portal)
The main official route is the National Health Authority’s beneficiary portal at beneficiary.nha.gov.in. Follow these steps carefully.
First, open the portal in your browser and choose the Beneficiary login option. Second, enter your mobile number, fill in the captcha, and verify the OTP sent to your phone. Third, select your state and the scheme (for most people, PMJAY). Fourth, search for your name or family using the options provided, such as Aadhaar number, ration card number, family ID or PMJAY ID, depending on how your state has set it up. Fifth, when your family list appears, check the status next to each name. If e-KYC is pending, click the option to start it and complete Aadhaar-based authentication, which may use an OTP or biometric method. Sixth, once the status shows as approved, click Download Card against the beneficiary’s name. Finally, complete the last Aadhaar authentication if prompted and save the PDF to your phone or computer.
The whole process is free. Reports from 2026 describe the process as taking only a few minutes once identity is verified, although the approval status can take longer in some cases.
How to Download an Ayushman Card Using the Ayushman App
The official Ayushman App from the National Health Authority is the quickest option if you prefer to work from your phone. The NHA’s own FAQ describes it as an Android app that lets individuals check eligibility, complete e-KYC, and download the card on their own. Here is how to use it.
Install the app from the Google Play Store and make sure the publisher is the National Health Authority. Open it and choose Beneficiary, then log in with your mobile number and OTP. Set a secure lock code if the app asks for one. Check eligibility by searching with the options provided. For each family member, complete e-KYC by following the on-screen instructions. After successful e-KYC, the NHA FAQ suggests waiting about 15 to 20 minutes before logging in again. Then open the family list, tap the download option beside the member’s name, and choose to download, print or share the card. After downloading, open the PDF and check that the name, photo and ID are correct.
Other Ways to Download the Ayushman Card
Besides the main portal and app, several guides mention alternative routes. These include the UMANG app, DigiLocker and the ABHA ecosystem, which are all connected to government digital services. You can also get the card through a Common Service Centre (CSC) or at an empanelled hospital’s Ayushman Mitra desk. The exact steps and availability can differ by state, and some options may work only after your e-KYC has been completed, so always start with the official portal or app first.
Offline methods are especially helpful for people who are not comfortable with smartphones. A CSC operator or Ayushman Mitra can complete e-KYC with your Aadhaar and print the card for you. Make sure that you do not pay unofficial fees, because the scheme guidelines state that beneficiaries do not need to pay any cost for the Ayushman card.
How to Check Ayushman Card Status
If you have already applied or started e-KYC, you can track the status on the beneficiary portal or in the Ayushman App. Log in the same way as before and open your family list. The status next to each person will show whether the card is generated, e-KYC is pending, the request is under approval, or the card is approved and ready for download. If the status is pending for a long time, check whether the Aadhaar details match, whether the family member has been correctly identified, and whether your state has any special process for approval.
You can also check whether your name is in the PMJAY beneficiary list by visiting the beneficiary portal and searching by your details, or by asking at the nearest CSC or empanelled hospital. If your name is not in the list but you believe you qualify, ask the Ayushman Mitra about the grievance and enrolment options in your state.
What to Do If the Download Button Is Not Showing
This is one of the most common problems. In most cases, the reason is simple. Your e-KYC may still be pending or awaiting approval, so the portal has not yet enabled the download. Your Aadhaar may not be linked, in which case the app may mark you as “unidentified” and ask you to link it using the card icon. Your name may not be on the beneficiary list for your state. Or the server may be slow, which sometimes happens during peak hours.
To fix it, first make sure that your Aadhaar details and mobile number are correct. Second, complete or repeat e-KYC if the status says so. Third, wait for the approval period and then try again. Fourth, try a different method, such as switching from the portal to the app, or the reverse. Fifth, if nothing works, visit a CSC or empanelled hospital where staff can look at your record directly. You can also call the national helpline 14555 for help, though you should confirm the latest helpline details on the official portal.
Common Errors During Ayushman Card Download
Besides the missing download button, people often face OTP problems, Aadhaar mismatch, name spelling differences, family member not found and e-KYC failure. For OTP problems, check network coverage and make sure the mobile number is active. For Aadhaar mismatch, update the details through the official Aadhaar update process. For spelling differences, ask the Ayushman Mitra whether the state can correct them. For e-KYC failure with fingerprint, try an iris scan or OTP option if available. If the card downloads but shows errors, report them to the grievance desk so that the record can be corrected before you need treatment.
How to Use the Ayushman Card at a Hospital
Once you have the card, the next step is to find an empanelled hospital. You can use the hospital search on pmjay.gov.in or the hospital locator in the app. Choose your state and district, and filter by the speciality you need, such as cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics or dialysis. Always call the hospital before you go to confirm that it is currently accepting Ayushman patients and that the needed procedure is available.
At the hospital, go straight to the Ayushman Mitra desk and show your card along with a government photo ID. The Ayushman Mitra will verify your details, and the hospital will raise a pre-authorisation request if the procedure requires one. In emergencies, treatment begins first and paperwork follows. If you are told to pay for something covered under the package, ask to speak with the nodal officer or call the helpline.
What Does the Ayushman Card Cover?
The card gives access to treatment packages covering a wide range of procedures. These include hospital bed charges, doctor and nursing fees, diagnostics, medicines, consumables, intensive care, operation theatre charges, and certain pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses. Speciality areas include cardiology, neurosurgery, cancer care, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, general surgery and maternity-related care. Because treatment uses fixed package rates, the hospital cannot charge extra for services that are part of the approved package.
Not everything is covered. Outpatient visits, some cosmetic procedures, and items listed as exclusions in the scheme guidelines are generally not included. Always ask what package applies to your illness, and check the cover amount remaining for the year, since the ₹5 lakh limit is per family and is shared among all members.
Can the Ayushman Card Be Used in Another State?
Yes. The scheme supports portability, which means that you can use your card at an empanelled hospital in a different state if you need treatment while travelling or when you have migrated for work. Package availability and procedures may vary, so it is wise to call the hospital in advance. Portability is a major advantage for migrant workers and families who live away from their home district.
How to Add a Family Member or Update Details
If a new member has joined your family, for example through marriage or birth, you can ask for them to be added. Guides explain that this is done by logging in to the beneficiary portal, searching for the family, and following the steps for adding a member, or through a CSC. You will generally need Aadhaar and proof of relationship. Rules may differ from state to state, so confirm locally. If there is a mistake in your name, age or gender on the card, contact the Ayushman Mitra or the state health agency to request a correction.
What If You Lose Your Ayushman Card?
Losing the card is not a serious problem, because it is stored digitally. Simply log in again at the beneficiary portal or in the Ayushman App and download a fresh copy. Keep a copy in your phone’s files, in cloud storage and as a printout. If you cannot access your account, visit a CSC or empanelled hospital with your Aadhaar, and they can help generate it again.
Beware of Fake Websites and Scams
Because the scheme is popular, scammers create fake websites, WhatsApp links, and phone calls that claim to charge a fee for the Ayushman card. The official process is free. Never share your OTP, bank details or Aadhaar number with unknown callers. Check that the website address is the official government domain, and use only the NHA beneficiary portal, the official Ayushman App or an authorised CSC. If anyone demands money to approve your card or add your name to the list, do not pay, and report it to the helpline or the state health agency.
Final Thoughts
The Ayushman card download process is simple when you know the right steps. Start by checking your eligibility on the official beneficiary portal or the Ayushman App, complete Aadhaar e-KYC, wait for approval, and then download the PDF. Keep copies in more than one place, and find the nearest empanelled hospital before you need one. With a ₹5 lakh health cover, cashless hospitalisation, and special benefits for senior citizens through the Vay Vandana card, the scheme can protect your family from heavy medical expenses. Always use official sources, never pay for free services, and confirm the latest rules on the official portal, because procedures can change over time.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information. Eligibility rules, helpline numbers, and download steps can change and may differ by state. Please confirm current details on beneficiary.nha.gov.in, pmjay.gov.in, or with your State Health Agency. This is not insurance or legal advice.