Ayushman Bharat Yojana 2026 continues to be one of India’s most important public healthcare programmes for eligible families. Under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, commonly known as AB PM-JAY, eligible beneficiaries can receive cashless hospitalisation benefits at empanelled public and private hospitals.
The scheme provides health cover of up to тВ╣5 lakh per family per year for eligible beneficiaries for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. One of its most important features is portability, which means an eligible beneficiary can use the benefit at an empanelled hospital outside the home state as well.
A major development relevant to 2026 is the inclusion of all Indian citizens aged 70 years and above under AB PM-JAY, irrespective of their income. Eligible senior citizens receive a distinct Ayushman card after Aadhaar-based e-KYC.
What Is Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is a government-funded health assurance programme implemented under the National Health Authority. It was designed to reduce the financial burden associated with serious hospital treatment for poor and vulnerable households.
The scheme provides up to тВ╣5 lakh of annual cover on a family basis for covered hospitalisation. There is no restriction on the number of family members for eligible households, and benefits are available at empanelled government and private hospitals. The scheme also provides national portability, allowing beneficiaries to receive treatment at an empanelled hospital in another state.
It is important to understand that Ayushman Bharat is primarily a hospitalisation scheme. It should not be treated as a general-purpose health insurance policy that automatically pays for every medical expense or routine outpatient consultation.
Ayushman Bharat Yojana 2026 Eligibility
Eligibility is different for regular PM-JAY beneficiaries and senior citizens aged 70 years or above.
For the regular PM-JAY population, beneficiaries are identified through the eligibility databases used by the scheme and participating states. State-specific rules and databases can also affect who is eligible. Therefore, simply having an Aadhaar card does not automatically make every person below 70 eligible for regular PM-JAY.
For senior citizens, the rules are much simpler. Every Indian citizen aged 70 years or above is eligible for AB PM-JAY regardless of income or socio-economic status. The age is determined using the details recorded in Aadhaar, and Aadhaar-based e-KYC is mandatory for enrolment.
Senior citizens who are already covered under PM-JAY can receive an additional benefit for eligible members aged 70 years or above. The government has clarified that the additional тВ╣5 lakh benefit for such senior citizens is separate from the cover available to family members below 70.
Ayushman Card Benefits in 2026
The central benefit of Ayushman Bharat is cashless treatment for covered hospitalisation at empanelled hospitals. The annual cover can be used for eligible secondary and tertiary care treatments according to the applicable health benefit packages.
The scheme covers several components associated with an approved hospitalisation, including treatment, medicines, diagnostics and other package-related expenses. PM-JAY also provides coverage for up to three days of pre-hospitalisation and up to fifteen days of post-hospitalisation expenses, subject to the applicable package and scheme rules.
Another important advantage is portability. If an eligible person is registered in one state but needs treatment in another state, the beneficiary can use the PM-JAY benefit at an empanelled hospital, subject to scheme conditions.
There is also no family-size restriction for eligible PM-JAY households. However, the тВ╣5 lakh amount is a family-level annual cover in the regular scheme, so it should not be understood as тВ╣5 lakh separately for every family member.
Documents Needed for Ayushman Card
The documents required can vary according to the beneficiary category and the enrolment process.
For a regular beneficiary, identity and family-related information may be required to verify the person’s record in the applicable beneficiary database. Aadhaar or another accepted identification document may be used as part of verification.
For senior citizens aged 70 years and above, the official NHA FAQ states that Aadhaar is the only document required for enrolment in the senior citizen component and Aadhaar-based e-KYC is mandatory.
Applicants should use only official government channels for submitting personal information and should avoid sharing Aadhaar details or OTPs with unknown websites, agents or callers.
How to Make an Ayushman Card Online
Eligible beneficiaries can use the official beneficiary portal or the Ayushman mobile application for the applicable enrolment process.
For people aged 70 years or above, the official NHA guidance says that enrolment can be completed through the beneficiary portal at beneficiary.nha.gov.in or through the Ayushman App. After verification and successful Aadhaar e-KYC, an eligible senior citizen can receive a separate Ayushman card.
The general process involves entering the required beneficiary information, verifying the identity, completing e-KYC where required and submitting the application. Once the enrolment is approved, the digital Ayushman card can be accessed through the appropriate official system.
Beneficiaries who need assistance can also approach a Common Service Centre or the Ayushman help desk at an empanelled hospital.
How to Check the Ayushman Hospital List
Before travelling for treatment, it is advisable to confirm that the hospital is currently empanelled under PM-JAY.
The official hospital search facility allows users to find PM-JAY empanelled hospitals. Hospital information can include details such as location and hospital type. The NHA documentation identifies the PM-JAY hospital empanelment system as the source for information on hospitals participating in the scheme.
You can use the official hospital search portal and select the relevant state, district and other available filters. This is particularly useful when you are looking for a government hospital, private hospital or a facility offering a particular treatment.
It is better to verify the hospital immediately before treatment because hospital empanelment and available services can change.
How to Use an Ayushman Card at a Hospital
Once you have confirmed that the hospital is empanelled, visit the Ayushman help desk or the designated beneficiary assistance counter.
Provide your Ayushman card and required identification documents. Hospital staff will verify your beneficiary details and process the treatment under the relevant package.
For an approved and covered treatment, the beneficiary receives cashless services according to PM-JAY rules. The hospital processes the required authorisation and claim through the PM-JAY system.
If you are travelling to another state, portability allows eligible beneficiaries to use their PM-JAY benefits at empanelled hospitals outside their home state.
What Ayushman Bharat Does Not Cover
Ayushman Bharat should not be interpreted as unlimited coverage for every healthcare service.
Routine outpatient treatment is generally outside the scope of PM-JAY. Official NHA support material also lists certain exclusions, including cosmetic treatment, drug rehabilitation, fertility treatment and some other services.
The exact treatment coverage depends on the applicable health benefit package and scheme rules. Therefore, before undergoing an expensive procedure, beneficiaries should ask the hospital whether the particular treatment is covered under PM-JAY.
Ayushman Bharat 70+ Senior Citizen Benefit
The 70+ expansion is particularly important for families in 2026. The Union Cabinet approved coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above regardless of income. The government estimated that the expansion would benefit approximately 6 crore senior citizens belonging to around 4.5 crore families.
A separate Ayushman card is issued to eligible senior citizens. According to the official FAQ, there is no waiting period for covered treatment after enrolment, allowing eligible beneficiaries to access the benefit from the first day of enrolment.
Senior citizens who have private health insurance or ESIC coverage can also be eligible for AB PM-JAY. However, people receiving certain other government health schemes may need to choose between the existing government scheme and PM-JAY according to the applicable rules.
Ayushman Bharat Helpline Number
For assistance regarding eligibility, hospitals and PM-JAY services, beneficiaries can contact the official Ayushman Bharat helpline at 14555. The National Health Authority’s official material lists 14555 as the toll-free PM-JAY call-centre number.
If an empanelled hospital refuses a covered service or asks for an unauthorised payment, beneficiaries should seek clarification from the hospital’s Ayushman help desk and contact the official support channel rather than paying an unknown person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ayushman Card free?
The government scheme does not require beneficiaries to purchase an insurance policy to receive the PM-JAY benefit. The exact process and any optional printing service may vary, so applicants should verify charges before paying anyone.
Can I use my Ayushman Card in another state?
Yes. PM-JAY provides portability, allowing eligible beneficiaries to receive covered treatment at empanelled hospitals across India, subject to scheme rules.
Can everyone below 70 years get an Ayushman Card?
Not automatically. Regular PM-JAY eligibility is based on the applicable beneficiary database and state rules. Being an Indian citizen or having Aadhaar alone does not guarantee eligibility for the regular scheme.
Are all people aged 70 or above eligible?
Yes. Under the expanded AB PM-JAY benefit, Indian citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible irrespective of income, with Aadhaar-based e-KYC required for enrolment.
Is normal OPD treatment covered?
PM-JAY is primarily designed for eligible hospitalisation and covered health benefit packages. Routine outpatient treatment is generally not covered.
Final Words
Ayushman Bharat Yojana 2026 can provide important financial protection to eligible families facing the cost of major hospital treatment. The тВ╣5 lakh annual cover, cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals and nationwide portability make the scheme particularly useful when a beneficiary needs treatment away from home.
The expansion for citizens aged 70 years and above is especially significant because eligibility for this group does not depend on income. Before applying or visiting a hospital, however, always verify eligibility, hospital empanelment and the specific treatment package through official government channels.
For the latest information, use the official PM-JAY website, the NHA beneficiary portal, the official Ayushman App and the 14555 helpline. Avoid unofficial websites promising instant Ayushman Card approval or asking for OTPs and unnecessary personal information.
Official PM-JAY Website: https://pmjay.gov.in
Senior Citizen Beneficiary Portal: https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in
Hospital Search: https://hospitals.pmjay.gov.in
PM-JAY Helpline: 14555
Disclaimer: Scheme rules, beneficiary databases, hospital empanelment and state-level implementation can change. This article is intended for general information and should not be treated as a substitute for official government instructions. Always verify your current eligibility and treatment coverage through official PM-JAY/NHA channels before making healthcare or financial decisions.