More than 70 percent of India’s population does not have health insurance. This means that only one-third of people have health insurance. Health insurance is very important today because families are facing financial crunch due to illness. People even sell their houses and land for treatment. Keeping this in mind, the Central Government started the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Currently, the Ayushman Bharat scheme is the largest government health program in the world, offering health insurance up to ₹5 lakh. According to the latest data, about 347 million cards have been issued in the country. A total of 91.9 million treatments have been provided under this scheme till March 2025.
This scheme was started in 2018
You can also take advantage of this scheme and get Ayushman card made. This government scheme is run under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). Its objective is to provide financial security to poor and vulnerable families from expensive medical treatment. This scheme was started in 2018 and is proving to be a lifesaver for millions of people across the country.
Under this scheme, every eligible family gets cashless health insurance up to ₹5 lakh every year, which covers major surgeries, critical treatments, critical illnesses, hospitalization and post-operative care. The most important thing is that the benefits of this scheme are available in both government and private hospitals, so patients do not have to shell out their pockets for good care. More than 29,000 hospitals across the country are associated with this scheme. The scheme is integrated through a digital platform. Ayushman Card, e-KYC, hospital verification and dashboard monitoring, all these have ensured transparency and speeded up the process.
How to apply online for Ayushman Card?
First of all, go to Ayushman Bharat Beneficiary Portal and click on “Beneficiaries”. To do this, open the official beneficiary portal at beneficiary.nha.gov.in or the main site/app of PM-JAY.
– Then select ‘Am I Eligible’/Beneficiary option, then enter your mobile number, fill the captcha and verify with OTP.
– On the next page, you have to select your state and district. Then, use your Aadhaar number to check your eligibility for the card. Here, you’ll see the family and card status.
– Select search mode: Aadhaar/Ration Card (RC)/PM/CM Letter/RSBY URN/Mobile Number. Choose the right option and search. The system will show matches from the SECC-2011 database.
– Select family list and members. Your family members will appear on the screen. Select the member for whom you want to generate the card and select ‘Click here to Enroll’/eKYC option.
– Complete eKYC/Aadhaar authentication (Aadhaar-OTP) or other verification. Matching score will appear. Then you can download or get the digital/PVC card.
– Go to the nearest Common Service Center (CSC) or panel hospital. An Arogya Mitra/CSC operator will help you there.
What documents are required for Ayushman card?
To apply for Ayushman Card, you will need Aadhar Card, Ration Card, Income Proof and Labor Registration Certificate (BoWC).