Introduction
About three months ago, the mother of a relative of mine fell critically ill.
The hospital bill was huge, so I asked him, “Brother, where will you get that much money from?”
That’s when he told me he had an Ayushman Card, which would cover medical bills up to ₹5–10 lakhs.
I was amazed to hear this, so I decided to find out more about it and how I could apply for one myself.
After doing some research, I found the best way to apply for an Ayushman Card, which I am going to share with you.
Along with that, I will also tell you some important facts about it that you should know before applying.
What are the benefits of having Ayushman card?
If you live in India, having an Ayushman Card is very important.
This card provides financial support to you and your family during difficult times, such as dealing with an illness or other major health crises.
Here are some benefits of the Ayushman Card that are important for you to know:
1. ₹5 Lakh Free Treatment
Any eligible family or family member can avail of free medical treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh annually.
Example: If a family member is suffering from a serious illness, they can receive free treatment within this ₹5 lakh coverage limit.
2. Coverage of Most Hospital Expenses
This free coverage includes various expenses such as doctor’s fees, medicines, tests, surgery, ICU charges, implants, room charges, and meals.
3. Pre- and Post-Treatment Support
According to government guidelines, this coverage provides support from the time before treatment begins until after it concludes.
For instance, if a complication arises within three days after the treatment, the card provides support for that as well.
4. Coverage for Treatment Complications
If any complications arise during the course of treatment, the Ayushman Card covers those costs too.
5. Wide Range of Treatments Covered
The Ayushman Card covers approximately 1,900+ medical procedures and surgeries across India.
“Good health is priceless, and protection makes it stronger.“
How to Apply Ayushman Card Online Step by Step Process
Applying for an Ayushman Card is very easy if your family is eligible under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme.
Now, eligible applicants for PM-JAY can apply from the comfort of their homes using their mobile phones by following these simple steps:
Step 1: Visit the Official Beneficiary Portal
First, you need to open the official PMJAY Beneficiary portal on your mobile; it looks like this.
Search for the “PMJAY Official portal” on Google, or you can visit it directly by clicking this link.

Step 2: Login With Mobile Number
Once you reach the official portal, scroll down slightly to find the “Login as” section.
As shown in this image.

In this section, select “Beneficiary” and enter your mobile number.
After doing this, enter the captcha text and log in.
Step 3: Search Your Name
After completing these steps, you will reach the next page.

On this page, you need to fill in certain details, such as:
- Select your State
- Choose PMJAY Scheme
- Select your District
- Search using:
- Aadhaar Number
- Family ID
- PMJAY ID
- Name
After filling in the information mentioned above, if your name appears in the list, you can proceed with the registration.
Step 4: Click on “Do e-KYC”
If your beneficiary details are visible, carefully complete the following steps:
- Click the ‘Do e-KYC’ button.
- Select ‘Aadhaar OTP Verification’.

It is crucial to perform the e-KYC process very carefully, as it digitally verifies your identity.
Step 5: Complete Your Aadhaar Verification
After completing Step 4, you should see an interface like this.↓

- Tick the consent box
- Click “Allow”
- Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
Step 6: Upload Live Photo
For certain reasons, the official portal or app requires verification of the following:
- Live photo (of the applicant)
- Face authentication

Note: Your photo must be clear, and your Aadhaar details must match.
Step 7: Submit Application
In this step, simply review your details and click on “Submit.”
Application criteria undergo minor changes every year, so you might be required to provide some additional details when applying.
Step 8: Download Ayushman Card
If you apply using the simple process I described, there is a 99.9% chance your application will be approved.
Once approved, you can obtain your Ayushman Card digitally by following these steps:
- Log in again
- Click on ‘Download Card’
- Save the PDF to your phone
You can also take a printout of it if you wish.
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How can Apply Through Ayushman App?
If you have already downloaded the Ayushman App, the application process is slightly different and even easier. (Download Now)

Here, I have outlined the easiest method in simple steps:↓
- Log in using mobile OTP.
- Search for beneficiary details.
- Complete e-KYC.
- Upload a live photo.
- Submit the request.
- Download the card after approval.
You can also check this → blog post.
Common Mistakes You May Make During Ayushman Card e-KYC
Many people make small mistakes while completing the Ayushman Card e-KYC process.
It is crucial to be aware of these minor errors so you can avoid them when applying.
Here are the common mistakes.:
1. Aadhaar Details Do Not Match
Sometimes, while applying, you might enter information that does not match the details on your Aadhaar card.
Make sure to double-check details such as your name, date of birth, and gender.
Mismatched details can lead to e-KYC failure.
2. Mobile Number Not Linked to Aadhaar
If you do not have the phone linked to your Aadhaar card with you, you will not be able to receive the OTP.
Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar.
3. Entering an Incorrect Aadhaar Number
You might accidentally enter the wrong Aadhaar number while rushing through the process.
So, ensure that the Aadhaar number you enter is correct.
4. Blurry or Poor-Quality Photo
Sometimes, the uploaded image turns out blurry, making the verification process difficult.
Ensure that the image you submit is clear and distinct.
5. Using Outdated Family Details
Some people provide old or incorrect family details for verification.
This outdated information can become a major issue during beneficiary verification.
Therefore, keep your and your family’s information up to date.
6. Incomplete e-KYC Process
This is a major mistake that 90% of people make during the application process.
An incomplete e-KYC process will lead to the immediate rejection of your application.
Do not proceed to the next steps without fully completing the e-KYC process on the official portal.
At the beginning, I explained the easiest and best way to apply and also detailed the entire e-KYC process.
If I were in your place, before applying, I would ensure that my Aadhaar details, mobile number, and family information were all correct.
If you take just a few minutes to verify these details before applying, there is a 100% chance that you will be able to easily get your Ayushman Card made.
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Common Reasons Why Applications Get Delayed
Here is a simple table given below:👇
| Reason | Impact |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar mismatch | Verification may fail |
| Mobile not linked | OTP cannot be received |
| Incorrect family details | Application stays pending |
| Incomplete e-KYC | Registration not completed |
| Poor-quality photo | Verification may be rejected |
| Biometric issues | Authentication fails |
| Technical/server errors | Processing gets delayed |
| Duplicate records | Manual review may be required |
What the Data Says About Ayushman Bharat in 2026

As I mentioned at the very beginning, Ayushman Bharat is one of the world’s largest government-funded healthcare schemes.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has also confirmed this.
According to a Ministry of Health & Family Welfare reply in the Rajya Sabha (February 2026):
By February 2026, approximately 43.52 crore Ayushman Cards had been issued, and over 36,000 hospitals were empanelled under the scheme.
You can also refer to this table to understand the Ayushman Bharat data for 2026. (Source: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)
| Indicator | 2026 Data |
|---|---|
| Ayushman Cards Issued | 43.52 crore+ |
| Beneficiaries Covered | 55 crore+ |
| Empanelled Hospitals | 36,229 |
| Senior Citizen (70+) Cards | 1.14 crore+ |
| Treatment Procedures Covered | 1,961 |
| Hospital Admissions Approved | 11.69 crore+ |
| Treatment Value Authorized | ₹1.73 lakh crore+ |
Some FAQs related to Ayushman Card
1. Does Ayushman Card cover cataracts?
Yes, cataract surgery is covered at empanelled hospitals under approved PMJAY treatment packages.
2. Is pregnancy covered under PMJAY?
Yes, PMJAY covers maternity care, delivery, and related hospitalization expenses for eligible beneficiaries.
3. Which documents are required for an Ayushman Card?
Aadhaar card, Aadhaar-linked mobile number, and beneficiary verification documents are generally required.
4. What is the new treatment for cataracts in 2026?
Advanced laser-assisted cataract surgery and improved intraocular lenses are becoming more widely available.
5. What is the disadvantage of Ayushman Card?
Benefits are limited to eligible families and treatments available at empanelled hospitals only.
6. How many times can we use the Ayushman Card?
There is no fixed limit; you can use it multiple times within the available coverage amount.
Conclusion
Just as family is important for you, Ayushman Card is also important for your family.
In this short blog post, I have covered all the important topics.
From the best and easiest application process to e-KYC, along with the benefits and other important things I have also been explained.
“An Ayushman Card can bring relief when it matters most.”
