**By Piyush** | November 2026 | 8 min read

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The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) provides vulnerable families and senior citizens across India with up to ₹5 lakh in annual cashless hospitalization coverage. Managed by the National Health Authority (NHA), the scheme allows eligible beneficiaries to verify their status, complete biometric e-KYC, and generate digital health cards directly through the central beneficiary portal at beneficiary.nha.gov.in.

The central government expanded the healthcare flagship initiative to cover all citizens aged 70 and above under the Ayushman Vay Vandana program, regardless of household income. Eligible individuals can access cashless secondary and tertiary medical treatments across more than 29,000 empanelled public and private hospitals nationwide.

This step-by-step guide details the eligibility verification criteria, required documentation, and exact digital instructions to generate and download your Ayushman Bharat card online.

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Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Scheme Overview

The table below outlines key administrative parameters, medical benefits, and coverage caps provided under the AB-PMJAY program:

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4 Essential Prerequisites Before You Apply

To complete your online e-KYC without authentication errors, prepare the following documents and credentials beforehand:

1. **Aadhaar Card with Linked Mobile Number**: You must have your 12-digit Aadhaar card ready. The linked mobile handset must be active to receive authentication OTPs.

2. **Family Identification Proof**: Ration card, NFSA ration data, or state-issued family ID containing all family member names.

3. **Smartphone with Camera (For Face Auth)**: If your Aadhaar lacks an active linked mobile number, use the Ayushman mobile app with the AadhaarFaceRD service for facial recognition.

4. **Active Domestic Mobile Number**: Required to log into the NHA portal and receive operational updates.

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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply & Download Ayushman Card Online

Follow this verified procedural breakdown to check your family eligibility, complete your electronic KYC, and download your permanent digital PVC-format card:

Step 1: Log in to the Official NHA Beneficiary Portal

Open your web browser and navigate to the official portal at beneficiary.nha.gov.in{:target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”}. Select the **Beneficiary** radio button on the login screen, enter your 10-digit mobile number, click **Verify**, and submit the received authentication OTP alongside the visual captcha.

Step 2: Search and Identify Your Household Records

Select your **State**, select the scheme (typically **PM-JAY**), choose your home **District**, and select your search parameter from the dropdown: * **Aadhaar Number** (Recommended for instant lookup) * **Family ID / Ration Card Number** * **Location** (Rural / Urban details)

Click the **Search** icon. The system will display the names of all family members registered under the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) or state welfare registers.

Step 3: Complete Aadhaar e-KYC Authentication

Locate your name in the beneficiary results list. If the card status indicates **Action** or **e-KYC Pending**, click the **e-KYC** button: 1. Select your preferred authentication mode: **Aadhaar OTP**, **Fingerprint**, or **Iris Scan**. 2. Enter your Aadhaar number and click **Verify**. 3. Accept the consent declaration and input the 6-digit OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile handset. 4. Capture a live digital photograph of yourself to match against your Aadhaar demographic record.

Step 4: Submit Application and Instant Approval

Fill in any supplementary contact details (such as pin code, district, and marital status) and click **Submit**. The automated system compares biometric data against UIDAI servers and approves verified profiles within minutes.

Step 5: Download Your Digital Ayushman Card

Once your status displays green as **Approved**, click the **Download Card** icon next to your name. Authenticate with an OTP, select the family member’s card, and download the print-ready, high-resolution PDF Ayushman Bharat smart card.

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Video Tutorial: Generating Ayushman Bharat Card on Mobile

Watch the step-by-step visual demonstration below showing how to complete face authentication and download your health card using your mobile handset:

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Senior Citizens (70+): How to Get the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card

The central government introduced distinct, universal health insurance for senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income:

* **No Income Restrictions**: Every Indian citizen who has reached age 70 qualifies automatically based on Aadhaar age validation. * **Distinct ₹5 Lakh Top-Up**: Seniors living in families already covered by PM-JAY receive an additional ₹5 lakh dedicated exclusively to the senior member. * **Simple Enrollment**: Seniors download the Ayushman App, select the ‘Senior Citizen 70+’ enrollment banner, submit Aadhaar verification, and receive their dedicated Ayushman Vay Vandana health card.

For households tracking national welfare subsidies and farming assistance payouts, read our guide on checking PM Kisan 19th installment status online.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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*Have you encountered any issues verifying your e-KYC on the NHA beneficiary portal? Share your questions in the comments below for community assistance.*