Healthcare in India has always been one of the biggest challenges for poor and middle-class families. A single medical emergency or hospital admission can drain all savings, and sometimes families even take loans to cover medical costs. To solve this problem, the Government of India launched the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). This scheme is commonly known as the Ayushman Bharat Yojana or simply the Ayushman Card Yojana. It is the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme, providing free health insurance coverage to crores of families across India.
What is Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Ayushman Bharat Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was launched in 2018 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. It is managed by the National Health Authority (NHA).
The scheme provides:
- Cashless and paperless medical treatment at empanelled hospitals.
- Health insurance coverage up to ₹5,00,000 per family per year.
- Coverage for both government and private hospitals.
- Entirely free of cost – no premium is paid by beneficiaries.
The main goal is to make healthcare affordable and accessible for poor and vulnerable families, ensuring that nobody is deprived of treatment due to lack of money.
Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana
The Ayushman Bharat Yojana offers multiple benefits to beneficiaries:
a. Free Health Insurance Coverage
- Every eligible family gets ₹5 lakh health insurance per year.
- This coverage is valid for the entire family (not just one person). b. Cashless Treatment
- No need to pay cash at hospitals.
- Simply show the Ayushman Card to avail treatment. c. Coverage of Major Diseases
- Includes expensive treatments like:
- Heart surgeries
- Kidney transplants
- Cancer treatment
- Joint replacement
- Neurosurgery
- Maternity care d. Wide Network of Hospitals
- Both government and private hospitals are included.
- Empanelled hospitals are spread across India. e. No Age or Family Size Limit
- Unlike traditional insurance policies, there is no cap on family size or age.
- Even senior citizens are covered. f. Free Medicines and Diagnostics
- Beneficiaries also get free medicines, tests, and follow-up care in empanelled hospitals.
Who is Eligible for Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Not everyone can get the Ayushman Card. The scheme is mainly targeted at poor and vulnerable families identified in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011.
Rural Eligibility Criteria
Families meeting these conditions are eligible:
- Landless households earning daily wages.
- Families living in kutcha houses.
- Families without adult members between ages 16–59.
- Families belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST).
- Disabled members with no support. Urban Eligibility Criteria
The scheme covers workers in the informal sector like:
- Street vendors
- Rag pickers
- Domestic workers
- Construction workers
- Drivers, security guards, sanitation workers
- Small shopkeepers General Eligibility
- People already included in SECC 2011 database.
- People who already have Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) cards are also eligible.
Documents Required to Apply
To apply for an Ayushman Card, you need:
- Aadhaar Card
- Ration Card / Family ID
- Mobile Number
- Voter ID / PAN Card (for identity proof)
- Residence proof (electricity bill, domicile certificate, etc.)
- Passport size photo
How to Make Ayushman Bharat Card (Step-by-Step Guide)
There are two main ways to make your Ayushman Card – online and offline.
a. Online Process
- Visit the official website: https://pmjay.gov.in.
- Click on “Am I Eligible?” option.
- Enter your mobile number and state.
- Enter OTP and search your family details.
- If eligible, your name will appear in the list.
- Fill in required details and upload documents.
- After verification, your Ayushman Card (Golden Card) will be generated.
- Download the card and take a printout. b. Offline Process
- Visit your nearest Common Service Center (CSC).
- Provide Aadhaar card, ration card, and other required documents.
- The operator will check eligibility and register your details.
- Your Ayushman Golden Card will be printed and given to you.
How to Download Ayushman Bharat Card Online
- Visit https://mera.pmjay.gov.in.
- Log in using your mobile number and OTP.
- Select your family member’s details.
- Click on Download Ayushman Card (Golden Card).
- Save the PDF and print it for hospital use.
How to Check Ayushman Bharat Hospital List 2025
Knowing which hospitals are covered under Ayushman Bharat is very important.
Method 1: Through Official Website
- Visit https://hospitals.pmjay.gov.in.
- Select your State and District.
- Choose Hospital Type (Government/Private).
- Enter hospital name or specialty if required.
- The list of all empanelled hospitals will appear.
- You can also download the hospital list in PDF format. Method 2: Using Ayushman Bharat Mobile App
- Download the official Ayushman Bharat PMJAY app from Google Play Store.
- Log in using your mobile number.
- Click on Find Hospital.
- Search by state, district, or specialty.
- The app will show all nearby empanelled hospitals. Method 3: Offline Enquiry
- Visit your nearest CSC center or government hospital.
- Ask for the Ayushman Bharat hospital list.
- You can get a printed list from the health office.
Services Covered Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana
The scheme covers over 1,500 medical packages, including:
- Cardiology (heart diseases)
- Orthopedic surgeries (joint replacements)
- Neurology & neurosurgery
- Cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery)
- Kidney treatment (dialysis, transplant)
- Burns management & reconstructive surgeries
- Emergency care for accidents
Exclusions (What is Not Covered)
Some treatments are not included in Ayushman Bharat:
- Cosmetic surgeries (plastic surgery, hair transplant)
- Fertility treatments (IVF, surrogacy)
- Drug rehabilitation
- OPD (outpatient department) consultations without admission
Future Scope of Ayushman Bharat Yojana
By 2025, the government aims to:
- Add more hospitals under the scheme.
- Cover all middle-class families gradually.
- Integrate digital health ID for every citizen.
- Improve claim settlement speed for hospitals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is Ayushman Card free?
Yes, the card is completely free. There are no charges for registration or treatment.
Q2. Can I use Ayushman Card in private hospitals?
Yes, but only in empanelled private hospitals.
Q3. How much coverage do I get?
Every family gets ₹5 lakh per year for hospitalization.
Q4. Can I apply if I am not in the SECC 2011 list?
No, only families listed in SECC 2011 are eligible.
Q5. What is the helpline number of Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
You can call the toll-free helpline: 14555.
Conclusion
The Ayushman Bharat Yojana 2025 is a revolutionary step in Indian healthcare. With coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family, free treatment in both government and private hospitals, and an easy card-making process, it ensures that no family is left helpless during a medical emergency.
By checking the Ayushman Hospital List 2025 online or via mobile app, beneficiaries can easily find the nearest hospital for cashless treatment. If you or your family are eligible, make sure to apply and download your Ayushman Golden Card today.
Disclaimer
This article is written only for educational and informational purposes. The details provided here about Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), including eligibility, benefits, hospital lists, and application processes, are based on information available from official government sources and public references at the time of writing.
- We are not a government website or official authority.
- We do not guarantee selection, approval, or issuance of the Ayushman Card.
- Readers are advised to always verify details from the official Ayushman Bharat website (https://pmjay.gov.in) or contact the National Health Authority (NHA) helpline (14555) for the latest updates.
- The hospital list, eligibility criteria, and processes may change from time to time as per government rules and notifications.
Applying for or availing benefits under Ayushman Bharat Yojana is completely free. Please beware of fraud websites or agents demanding money for registration
