How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: Step-by-Step Guide

How do I apply for an Ayushman card?

You apply for an Ayushman card under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) by verifying that your household is in the identified database, then completing e-KYC on the Ayushman App or beneficiary.nha.gov.in, and downloading the card once a state approver clears it. There is no fee at any step. This guide walks each screen and decision in more detail than the parent PM-JAY guide, which covers eligibility and benefits; the one-line reminder is that PM-JAY is entitlement-based, so applying really means claiming a card for a household that already qualifies.

Before you start: what to keep ready

• Aadhaar card, mandatory, because e-KYC runs against it.
• A mobile number; mandatory for the OTP; ideally the one linked to your Aadhaar.
• Ration card; optional, but useful to establish family composition and add members.

No income certificate, caste certificate or medical record is needed.

Step 1: Choose your route

Two routes lead to the same card:

1. Online self-service, the Ayushman App (Play Store) or beneficiary.nha.gov.in. Best if your mobile is Aadhaar-linked, or you can use face authentication.
2. Assisted. An Ayushman Mitra desk at any empanelled hospital, or a Common Service Centre, where an operator runs biometric e-KYC. Use this if fingerprint or OTP routes fail for you.

Step 2: Log in as Beneficiary

Open the app or portal and select the Beneficiary login (not Operator). Enter your mobile number, then the OTP. First-time users set a simple captcha and authentication PIN as prompted.

Step 3: Search for your household

Select your state, district and scheme (PMJAY), then search by one of: Aadhaar number, family ID, ration card, PMJAY ID or name. Aadhaar is the most reliable search key.

• If your household appears, the members are listed with a status tag.
• If nothing appears, your household may not be in the SECC or state database. Check whether your state added categories beyond SECC before concluding you are ineligible.

Step 4: Start e-KYC on your name

Find your name in the family list. If it carries an "eKYC" or "Not verified" tag, select it and choose self e-KYC. This is the step that converts an entitled name into an issued card.

Step 5: Authenticate

Pick one authentication mode:

• Aadhaar OTP, fastest when your mobile is Aadhaar-linked.
• Face authentication, use this when your mobile is not linked to Aadhaar; it works entirely on the app.
• Fingerprint or iris, available on the assisted route with a biometric device.

Complete the OTP or biometric capture when prompted.

Step 6: Capture the live photo and confirm details

Take the live photograph in good light, facing the camera. Confirm your address and family details on screen, then submit. A blurred or angled photo is a common reason the match fails, so redo it if unsure.

Step 7: Wait for approval

Your request goes to the state-level (L2) approver. Approval is usually completed within a few days. During this window the card shows as "under process", this is normal, not a rejection.

Step 8: Download the card

Once approved, open the app or portal and download the Ayushman card. A printout of the verified card is sufficient to take cashless treatment at an empanelled hospital.

Applying offline, in four steps

1. Visit an Ayushman Mitra help desk at an empanelled hospital, or a Common Service Centre.
2. Carry your Aadhaar and, if available, your ration card.
3. Ask the operator to search the database and complete biometric e-KYC.
4. Collect the printed card, or note the reference number and download later.

There is no fee for card creation. Common Service Centres may charge only the notified government service fee. For help at any step, call 14555 or 1800-111-565, available 24x7.