The Government of India has ramped up enrollment for the Ayushman Card 2026, the health protection document under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), offering families access to up to ₹5 lakh in cashless hospital care annually. Officials say the expanded registration drive aims to bring more citizens into the healthcare safety net, especially in rural and financially vulnerable communities. Ayushman Card 2026 registration has officially opened, allowing eligible families and senior citizens to access up to ₹5 lakh per year in cashless healthcare under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme.
The Ayushman Card functions as an e-card linked to an individual’s Ayushman Bharat Health Account and allows beneficiaries to receive free secondary and tertiary treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals across the country without paying at the point of service.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility for the Ayushman Card is primarily based on socio-economic criteria drawn from the SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census) 2011 database. The scheme targets households with low income or vulnerable living conditions, such as those living in kutcha houses, families without adults aged 16–59, households dependent on informal employment, landless families and those in economically weaker sections.
A major policy change for 2026 significantly expands access for senior citizens aged 70 and above. All Indian citizens in this age group can now apply for an Ayushman Card and receive the ₹5 lakh coverage, irrespective of income or other health insurance coverage.
Benefits at a Glance
Under the scheme, eligible families receive cashless treatment cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year, which includes hospitalisation and associated pre- and post-hospitalisation costs at approved facilities. The benefit is available across India and renews automatically each financial year.
The card also provides financial protection against catastrophic health expenditure, significantly reducing the economic burden of serious illness on low-income households.
How to Apply
Applications can be made online through the official PM-JAY portal (pmjay.gov.in) or via mobile apps linked to the scheme. Applicants must complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC and submit minimal documentation, including Aadhaar number and mobile verification, to generate their Ayushman Card. Once eligibility is confirmed, the e-card can be downloaded and used at empanelled hospitals.
Offline registration remains an option through Common Service Centres (CSCs) or registered health facilities for beneficiaries without reliable digital access.
Officials Urge Wider Participation
Health ministry officials said enhanced outreach and simplified procedures are expected to increase enrollment in 2026, helping millions secure cashless healthcare. They urged families to check eligibility early and complete the registration to take advantage of the government’s flagship health protection scheme.
