Medical treatment and hospital expenses can put considerable pressure on household budgets, particularly when a family member needs treatment for a serious illness. To provide financial protection against such expenses, the central government operates the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
Under this scheme, eligible families receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year for hospitalisation and medical treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals.
However, not every individual automatically qualifies for a regular Ayushman Card. Applicants must meet the prescribed eligibility conditions. Here is a look at who can benefit and how to check your eligibility online.
Ayushman Card Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
The scheme covers eligible families identified under the government’s prescribed criteria. Several economically vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are included.
The following categories are among those eligible under the scheme:
- Families living in kutcha houses.
- People dependent on daily wage labour.
- Destitute and tribal households.
- Transgender individuals.
- Eligible families living in rural areas.
- Landless families.
- Households having a disabled member.
- Families belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- Senior citizens aged 70 years and above under the Ayushman Vay Vandana initiative.
Eligibility for the regular Ayushman Card depends on the applicable government criteria, while the Vay Vandana facility provides separate eligibility for senior citizens aged 70 and above.
How to Check Ayushman Card Eligibility Online?
People who want to know whether their family is covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme can check their eligibility through the official website.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official website: https://pmjay.gov.in.
- Select the ‘Am I Eligible’ option.
- Enter your Aadhaar number and the other required information.
- Complete the verification process.
- Check the result to find out whether you are eligible for the scheme.
The online facility allows applicants to check their eligibility without having to visit a government office.
Check Your Eligibility at the Nearest CSC Centre
People who are unable to check their eligibility online can visit their nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).
CSC operators can assist beneficiaries with checking their details and finding out whether they are eligible for benefits under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Eligible beneficiaries can then follow the prescribed process to access the scheme’s healthcare facilities.
What Benefits Does the Ayushman Card Provide?
Under AB-PMJAY, eligible beneficiaries receive annual health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh for hospitalisation and covered medical treatment.
This facility can be used at government and private hospitals that are empanelled under the scheme, subject to its rules and coverage conditions.
The main objective is to reduce the financial burden of medical expenses and help eligible families access necessary healthcare services.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only. Ayushman Card eligibility, healthcare coverage and beneficiary selection are governed by official government guidelines. The eligibility categories mentioned above are subject to applicable scheme conditions and verification. Inclusion in a listed category does not automatically guarantee eligibility. Readers should check their details through the official PM-JAY portal or an authorised Common Service Centre before applying.