Author
LoansJagat Team
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6 Min
04 Jun 2025
How to Apply for Ayushman Card – Step-by-Step Guide
The Ayushman Card under PM-JAY offers up to ₹5 lakh per year in free hospital treatment to eligible Indian families, covering surgeries, medicines, and diagnostics.
Shailesh, a 42-year-old auto mechanic from Bhopal, faced a crisis when his wife needed gallbladder surgery. The estimated hospital bill was beyond his reach — around ₹78,000. A friend advised him to look up how to apply for the Ayushman Card. Shailesh visited a Common Service Centre (CSC), verified his Aadhaar and ration card, and received his Ayushman Card within 6 days.
Using the card, his wife underwent surgery at a private empanelled hospital free. The card covered everything: surgery, medicines, room charges, and tests.
Shailesh’s Medical Bill Breakdown
Medical Expense | Without Card (₹) | With Ayushman Card (₹) |
Surgery | 42,000 | 0 |
Medicines & Injections | 15,000 | 0 |
Room & Nursing Charges | 12,000 | 0 |
Diagnostics & Lab Tests | 9,000 | 0 |
Total | 78,000 | 0 |
Amount Saved | — | 78,000 |
Eligibility Criteria to apply for the Ayushman Card
Mahesh, a 34-year-old street vendor from Lucknow, couldn't afford his father's surgery, a friend told him how to apply for the Ayushman Card..
Within 10 days, he had the card, and it helped him save nearly ₹50,000 in hospital bills. Mahesh now tells others in his community how to apply for the Ayushman Card, especially those in informal jobs who often don’t know they qualify.
Ayushman Bharat Eligibility Criteria
Rural Household Criteria
Condition | Explanation |
Kutcha House | Families living in huts or houses with a single room without a roof/walls |
No Adult Member (16–59 yrs) | Households with no adult earning member |
Female-Only Adult Household | Only adult female members present, no adult males |
Disabled or No Able-Bodied Adult | No working member due to disability or age |
Scheduled Caste/Tribe | Belong to the SC or ST categories |
Landless, Manual Labour-Based Income | No land ownership, income depends on daily wage work |
Urban Worker Criteria
Worker Type | Examples |
Informal Service Providers | Street vendors, hawkers, cobblers, and domestic helpers |
Skilled or Home-Based Workers | Tailors, artisans, electricians, mechanics, and repair workers |
Construction and Maintenance Workers | Masons, plumbers, loaders, painters, sweepers, security guards |
Transport Sector Workers | Drivers, conductors, rickshaw pullers, cart pullers |
Small Establishment Staff | Shop attendants, waiters, office helpers, and delivery agents |
Senior Citizen Inclusion (New Rule)
Criteria | Eligibility Update (as of Sep 2024) |
Citizens aged 70 years and above | Automatically eligible for Ayushman coverage under AB-PMJAY |
Learning how to apply for the Ayushman Card helped Mahesh protect his family. Understanding how to apply for the Ayushman Card could provide critical financial relief during medical emergencies.
Documents Required to Apply for the Ayushman Card
Kusum learned her husband was eligible for free heart surgery under Ayushman Bharat, she immediately began gathering the necessary papers.
Read More – The Role of Health Insurance in Financial Planning
A health worker explained how to apply for the Ayushman Card, and within a week, Kusum submitted all required documents. Because of her prompt action, her husband underwent the procedure at no cost, saving the family nearly ₹1,20,000.
Now, she tells other women in her self-help group how to apply for the Ayushman Card by helping them collect the documents beforehand.
Document Type | Examples / Purpose |
Identity Proof | Aadhaar Card (mandatory for biometric verification) |
To verify the income level for eligibility | |
Family Documents | Ration Card, CM/PM Letter (to establish family relationship) |
Caste Certificate | Required if applying under SC/ST quota |
Bank Details | Passbook or bank statement (for linking benefits) |
Having these documents ready made Kusum’s process seamless. Being informed about how to apply for the Ayushman Card can save lives literally and financially.
Where to Apply for the Ayushman Card?
When Rakesh, a 50-year-old autorickshaw driver from Patna, learned that his wife needed gallbladder surgery, the estimated private hospital cost—₹85,000—was beyond his reach. A fellow driver told him how to apply for the Ayushman Card. Without delay, Rakesh visited the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) with his documents.
There, an Ayushman Mitra guided him through the registration. Within days, his card was issued. The surgery was later done in an empanelled hospital at no cost. Today, Rakesh actively helps others understand how to apply for the Ayushman Card by sharing his experience.
Application Method | Details |
Common Service Centre (CSC) | Visit your nearest CSC with the required documents for offline registration |
PMJAY Official Website | Apply online at https://pmjay.gov.in |
Ayushman Mitra | On-site health assistants are available at government/empanelled hospitals |
Empanelled Hospitals | Some hospitals offer registration help during treatment or visits |
Whether online or offline, knowing how to apply for the Ayushman Card can make critical healthcare both accessible and affordable.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for the Ayushman Card
Ravi, a 35-year-old farmer from Rajasthan, was unaware of the Ayushman Bharat scheme until he heard about it from a neighbour. His wife needed urgent treatment, and the hospital bills seemed unaffordable. His neighbour explained how to apply for the Ayushman Card, and Ravi decided to apply both offline and online. Here's how he went about it:
Online Application Process for Ayushman Bharat Card
- Visit the Official Website: Ravi went to the official website of PMJAY and clicked on the “Am I Eligible” option in the menu.
- Enter Mobile Number and OTP: After selecting the ‘Beneficiary’ option, he entered his mobile number and received an OTP (One-Time Password) on his phone to proceed.
- Select Scheme and Fill Details: Ravi selected ‘PMJAY’ as the scheme and filled in other necessary details like his state and district.
- Search for Ayushman Card: Under the “Search By” column, he chose ‘Ayushman Card’ and entered his Aadhaar number.
- Check Card Status: The website displayed the status of his Ayushman card and all family member names. If the card was marked “Not-Generated,” Ravi clicked on “Apply Now.”
- Authenticate with Aadhaar: He authenticated himself using Aadhaar by submitting the OTP sent to his registered mobile number.
- Enter Family Details: Ravi entered his family members' details, including mobile numbers.
- Submit the Form: After reviewing the information, he submitted the form.
- Download the Ayushman Card: Once the application was approved, Ravi was able to download his Ayushman Bharat card and was ready for any medical emergency.
Offline Application Process for Ayushman Bharat Card
Alternatively, Ravi also considered the offline option, which was more convenient for him since he lived in a rural area.
- Visit the Empanelled Hospital: Ravi took his Aadhaar card and other key documents and visited a hospital that was part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
- Get Help from Ayushman Mitra: The Ayushman Mitra guided him through the process, explaining how to apply for the Ayushman Card and ensuring all the necessary information was provided.
- Submit Documents: Ravi submitted his documents, including Aadhaar, and after verifying all details, he was registered for the Ayushman Bharat card.
- Receive Card: Ravi was informed that his Ayushman Bharat card would be processed and available within a few days. The card would be linked to his bank account for easy access during medical treatments.
Benefits of PMJAY (Ayushman Card)
Benefit | Description |
Medical Examination, Treatment & Consultation | Cashless coverage for medical examination, treatment, and consultation for listed conditions. |
Pre-Hospitalisation | Expenses incurred before hospitalisation, including medical tests and consultations, are covered. |
Medicines and Medical Consumables | Coverage for medicines and consumables required during treatment. |
Non-Intensive and Intensive Care Services | Includes both general and intensive care services during hospitalisation. |
Diagnostic and Laboratory Investigations | Cashless diagnostic tests, lab investigations, and imaging are required for treatment. |
Medical Implantation Services | Coverage for any necessary medical implants, such as stents, pacemakers, etc. |
Accommodation Benefits | Cashless hospitalisation includes expenses for accommodation, such as room charges in empanelled hospitals. |
Food Services | Coverage for food services provided during the hospitalisation. |
Complications Arising During Treatment | Any complications occurring during treatment will also be covered under the scheme. |
Conclusion
Understanding how to apply for the Ayushman Card can provide significant benefits for individuals and families seeking comprehensive healthcare coverage. With a simple process available both online and offline, eligible citizens can easily access cashless medical treatment for a range of conditions, with benefits up to ₹5,00,000 per year.
Also Read – How to Apply for EWS Certificate – Complete Process Explained
If you are wondering how to apply for the Ayushman Card, whether online via the official website or offline through a local CSC or Ayushman Mitra, the process is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to all eligible individuals.
FAQ’s
1. What is the process of applying for the Ayushman Card?
You can apply online via the PMJAY website or offline through an Ayushman Mitra or Common Service Centre (CSC).
2. How to apply for the Ayushman Card if I don't have internet access?
Visit an empanelled hospital or connect with an Ayushman Mitra to apply offline for the Ayushman Bharat Card.
3. Is there a fee to apply for the Ayushman Card?
No, applying for the Ayushman Bharat Card is free of charge, whether online or offline.
4. What documents are required to apply for the Ayushman Card?
Required documents include Aadhaar, income certificate, ration card, and bank details to complete your Ayushman card application.
5. How long does it take to receive the Ayushman Bharat Card?
Once approved, the Ayushman Card is typically issued within a few weeks, either physically or digitally.
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