Ayushman Card 2026: Who Can Apply, Eligibility, Hospitals, Surgeries & Full Process

Ayushman Card 2026 is part of the government health scheme called Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. It gives up to ₹5 lakh free health insurance per family every year for hospital treatments. Families who qualify can get cashless surgeries in thousands of hospitals across India. In 2026 the scheme covers more than 55 crore people, and it also includes all citizens aged 70 years or above with special coverage.

What Exactly Is Ayushman Card

Ayushman card is basically a health insurance card issued under the PM-JAY scheme. The scheme was launched by the Government of India to help poor and vulnerable families pay for expensive hospital treatment.

Hospital costs in India can be very high. Even a small surgery sometimes costs thousands or lakhs. Many families delay treatment only because they cannot afford the bill.

The ayushman card tries to fix that problem.

With this card, eligible families can get hospital treatment up to ₹5 lakh every year. The treatment is cashless. That means the patient usually does not pay the hospital directly. The scheme settles the bill with the hospital.

The coverage mainly applies to secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. In simple words, that means serious treatments and surgeries.

How Many People Are Covered In 2026

The scheme has expanded a lot since its launch.

By 2026 more than 55 crore beneficiaries are covered across India. Millions of families now use the card for surgeries, dialysis, cancer care, and many other treatments.

Another major update came recently.

All citizens aged 70 years or older can now get coverage under the scheme. This expansion is important because older people often require frequent medical care.

Some seniors receive an additional coverage card called Ayushman Vay Vandana.

Who Can Apply For Ayushman Card

Eligibility for the scheme mostly comes from the 2011 Socio Economic Caste Census database. The scheme mainly targets financially vulnerable families.

Families who fall into certain categories are automatically considered eligible.

Many of these families are rural workers, daily wage labourers, or households with limited income sources.

Families that do not have an adult earning member are also included in many cases. Some households with disabled members or elderly dependents also qualify.

Certain ration card holders such as Antyodaya card families can also become eligible.

Scheduled caste and scheduled tribe families listed in the census data are included in several states as well.

People do not need to show income proof in most cases because the eligibility comes from the government database.

Special Rule For Senior Citizens Above 70

A major change happened recently.

In 2026, every senior citizen aged 70 or above can get coverage under the scheme regardless of income. This means even families that are not listed earlier may still benefit if a member is above seventy.

These seniors can receive a separate Ayushman Vay Vandana card.

If the family is already part of PM-JAY, the senior may get an additional ₹5 lakh top-up coverage exclusively for themselves.

This expansion helps elderly people receive treatment without financial stress.

Family Application Vs Individual Application

The ayushman scheme usually works on a family basis.

One coverage amount of ₹5 lakh is shared by all members of the family. If one person uses part of the amount, the remaining amount can still be used by other family members.

Families are usually identified through ration cards or census household records.

When applying, all family members are linked together through Aadhaar verification.

Individual applications normally happen in special situations. For example, senior citizens aged 70+ may apply separately for their own card even if their family already has one.

But generally the scheme considers the household as the main unit.

Documents Required For Ayushman Card

The documentation process is not very complicated. Most applications require identity verification and household mapping.

The most important document is Aadhaar Card because biometric or OTP verification happens through it.

Applicants usually need their ration card as well because family members are mapped using it.

Some states may also ask for labour card, building worker registration certificate, or similar documents depending on eligibility category.

A mobile number linked with Aadhaar is also useful during the application process.

For senior citizens aged above 70, Aadhaar often becomes the main document required.

If the data in Aadhaar does not match the database, sometimes applications get delayed or rejected. So details should always be correct.

How To Apply For Ayushman Card Online

Applying for the card has become easier over the years.

People can register online using the official beneficiary portal of PM‑JAY Beneficiary Portal.

The process usually starts with entering a mobile number and verifying it through OTP. After that the system checks eligibility using Aadhaar or other details.

If the name appears in the database, the user can proceed to complete verification and generate the card.

Many people receive their e-card the same day if documents are correct.

The card can then be downloaded as a digital PDF and stored on the phone.

Offline Application Through CSC Centres

Not everyone is comfortable using online portals.

That is why the government also allows offline registration through Common Service Centres.

These centres help people apply, verify documents, and generate the Ayushman card.

CSC operators use the same government database to check eligibility.

Once approved, the digital card is generated and can be printed if required.

Many hospitals also have PM-JAY help desks where staff guide patients through the process.

Important Dates For Ayushman Card

One good thing about the scheme is that there is no strict annual deadline.

People can apply throughout the year whenever they become eligible.

The senior citizen expansion began rolling out in late 2024 and is fully active now in 2026.

Since the scheme is ongoing, there is no expiry date for the program itself. Beneficiaries can continue using the card as long as the scheme remains active.

However, it is always wise to check the official portal occasionally for new updates.

Types Of Treatments Covered Under Ayushman Card

The scheme covers more than 1900 treatment packages across many medical specialties.

These include cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, nephrology, neurology and several other departments.

Kidney stone removal procedures are covered under urology packages.

Hernia repair surgeries also fall under general surgery categories.

Patients suffering from diabetes related complications can also receive hospital treatment such as diabetic foot surgeries or retinopathy procedures if hospitalisation is required.

Cancer treatment including chemotherapy and surgical operations are covered as well.

Heart procedures like bypass surgery and angioplasty are also included in the package list.

Orthopaedic procedures like joint replacement surgeries may be covered depending on the medical condition.

Gall bladder removal surgery is another common procedure under the scheme.

Dialysis sessions for kidney failure patients are available in many empanelled hospitals.

Even major surgeries such as brain tumour removal can be covered depending on the approved treatment package.

Does Ayushman Card Cover Kidney Stones And Hernia

Yes, many stone related surgeries are included in the scheme.

Kidney stone removal procedures such as lithotripsy are part of the treatment list. Hospitals can perform these procedures under approved packages.

Hernia repair operations are also covered because they fall under general surgery.

The exact procedure depends on the doctor’s evaluation and hospital approval under the scheme.

Patients should always confirm the package availability with the hospital help desk.

Is Diabetes Treatment Covered

Diabetes itself is usually managed through regular medication which is not covered in outpatient settings.

However, complications of diabetes that require hospitalisation may be included.

For example diabetic foot surgeries, severe infections, or eye surgeries due to diabetic retinopathy may fall under approved treatment packages.

The key point is hospital admission. Most treatments under the scheme require hospitalisation rather than simple OPD visits.

List Of Hospitals Under Ayushman Bharat

Thousands of hospitals across India participate in the scheme.

These hospitals are called empanelled hospitals.

Both government hospitals and private hospitals are included in the network.

Patients can search the hospital list using the official portal of PMJAY.

The portal allows users to filter hospitals by state, district, speciality and hospital type.

Once the location is selected, the system displays nearby hospitals where treatment is available under the scheme.

Each hospital listing usually shows contact details and address.

This makes it easier for patients to choose the nearest hospital.

How Cashless Treatment Works

The biggest advantage of the scheme is cashless treatment.

When a patient visits an empanelled hospital, the first step is verification.

The patient shows their Ayushman card or Aadhaar card at the hospital help desk. The hospital checks eligibility using the scheme portal.

If the treatment falls under an approved package, the hospital sends a pre-authorisation request to the insurance system.

Once approval comes, treatment begins.

The hospital later claims the payment from the scheme. The patient usually does not pay the treatment cost.

Only minor items not covered in the package may require payment.

How To Claim Treatment Under Ayushman Card

The claim process is mostly handled by the hospital itself.

Patients simply visit an empanelled hospital and present their card.

Hospital staff then verify the details and upload required documents through the scheme portal.

After treatment the hospital submits the bill directly to the insurance authority.

Beneficiaries can track claims through the portal known as Mera PMJAY.

The portal allows users to see treatment records and claim status.

Is The Ayushman Card Valid Across India

Yes, the card is portable across the country.

A beneficiary from one state can receive treatment in another state if the hospital is part of the PM-JAY network.

This portability feature is useful for migrant workers and travelling families.

Wherever an empanelled hospital exists, the card can be used.

Digital Card And Validity

Ayushman cards today are mostly digital.

Beneficiaries can download the card as a PDF file from the official portal or app.

A physical plastic card is not mandatory. Hospitals can verify the digital version easily.

The card does not expire quickly. It remains valid as long as the beneficiary continues to be part of the scheme.

However, the annual coverage amount resets every year.

Common Reasons Ayushman Card Applications Get Rejected

Some applications face rejection or delay.

One common reason is mismatch of Aadhaar details with the government database.

Another reason can be that the name does not appear in the eligibility list from the census data.

Sometimes incorrect family mapping or missing documents also cause problems.

Applicants should always double check information before submitting.

If the application fails, people can contact the official helpline for assistance.

Helpline And Support For Beneficiaries

The government provides support through helpline numbers and help desks.

Beneficiaries can call the PM-JAY helpline numbers 14555 or 1800-111-565 for guidance.

These numbers help with eligibility checks, hospital information, and complaint registration.

Local CSC centres and hospital help desks also provide assistance to patients.

Why Ayushman Bharat Matters For India

Healthcare expenses are one of the biggest reasons families fall into debt.

Large hospital bills can destroy savings built over many years.

The ayushman scheme tries to reduce that burden.

By offering free hospital treatment for millions of families, it gives people a sense of security.

Patients no longer delay life saving treatment simply because they cannot afford the cost.

The scheme also encourages hospitals to provide structured treatment packages and transparent billing.

For many rural and low income families, this program has already changed access to healthcare.

In 2026 the scheme continues expanding with more hospitals, more beneficiaries, and wider treatment coverage.

And for millions of people across India, that small digital Ayushman card quietly becomes a powerful lifeline when medical emergencies arrive.