The Ayushman Card is the entry ticket to free hospital treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, but the card only works when the beneficiary’s KYC is complete and verified.
A large number of families in India have their names on the PM-JAY beneficiary list yet cannot use the benefit because their e-KYC is pending, their Aadhaar details do not match, or their card was generated years ago and never updated. This guide explains the complete Ayushman Card KYC update process in plain language, including the online and offline routes, the documents you need, the common errors that block approval, and what to do after your card is active so that your family is fully protected against medical costs.
Ayushman Card KYC at a Glance
Before going into the steps, here is a quick summary of what the KYC process involves and who needs to complete it.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) |
| Coverage | Up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation |
| KYC methods | Aadhaar OTP, fingerprint biometric, face authentication, IRIS scan |
| Online portal | Official NHA Beneficiary Portal and Ayushman App |
| Offline centres | Common Service Centres (CSC), empanelled hospitals, Ayushman Mitra desks |
| Fee | Nil (KYC and card download are completely free) |
| Processing time | Instant to 7 working days depending on verification type |
| Who must update | New beneficiaries, old card holders with pending e-KYC, and anyone whose Aadhaar or mobile number has changed |
Why the KYC Update Matters
PM-JAY is a cashless scheme. When a beneficiary reaches an empanelled hospital, the hospital staff verify the identity of the patient against the National Health Authority database before admitting them under the scheme. If the KYC status shows as pending or rejected, the hospital cannot raise a pre-authorisation request, and the family is forced to pay from their own pocket.
The KYC requirement also stops fraud. In earlier years, cards were sometimes generated in the wrong name, or one family’s card was used by someone else. Aadhaar-based verification ties the card to a real, living individual and makes it usable only by that person.
For families that already have an old PM-JAY card printed in 2018 or 2019, the KYC update is especially important. Many of those cards were issued on the basis of ration card or SECC data alone, and the system now asks for Aadhaar authentication before allowing a claim.
Who Is Eligible for an Ayushman Card
KYC can only be completed for people whose names already exist in the PM-JAY beneficiary database. The scheme does not accept fresh applications from the general public; eligibility is determined from government data sources.
- Rural families identified under the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC 2011) deprivation criteria D1 to D5 and D7
- Urban families in listed occupational categories such as ragpickers, domestic workers, street vendors, construction workers, sanitation workers, drivers, and similar informal-sector jobs
- Families holding a ration card that is linked to the state’s PM-JAY database, in states that have expanded coverage beyond SECC data
- All senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of income, under the Ayushman Vay Vandana card extension
- Beneficiaries of state health schemes that have been merged with PM-JAY, such as those in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and other states
- ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and Anganwadi helpers, who were added to the scheme in recent years
If your name is not found in the database, no amount of KYC will generate a card. In that case, the correct route is to contact the district PM-JAY office or your state health agency and request a grievance review of your family’s data.
Documents Required for KYC
The KYC process is almost entirely Aadhaar-based, so the document requirement is short. However, having the following items ready avoids repeated visits or failed attempts.
- Aadhaar card of the beneficiary whose KYC is being done (each family member needs a separate KYC)
- Mobile number linked to that Aadhaar, since the OTP is sent to this number
- Ration card, or the PM-JAY family ID, or the HHD number from the SECC list, to locate the family record
- Old Ayushman card or PM-JAY reference number, if already issued
- A working smartphone with camera for face authentication when doing self-KYC
- Passport-size photograph in soft copy for self-service KYC on the app or portal
For senior citizens applying under the 70+ category, only Aadhaar is required, and the age is picked directly from the Aadhaar record. No income proof or ration card is asked for.
KYC Update Through the Beneficiary Portal
The National Health Authority runs an official beneficiary portal where any citizen can search their name, complete e-KYC, and download the card. The process is designed for self-service and does not require any operator ID.
Step 1: Open the beneficiary portal
Visit the official NHA beneficiary portal using a mobile or desktop browser. Choose the “Beneficiary” option on the login screen and enter your mobile number. An OTP will be sent for login; enter it along with the captcha shown on screen.
Step 2: Search for your family record
Select your state and the scheme name from the drop-down. You can search by Aadhaar number, family ID, PMJAY ID, or ration card number. Select your district and enter the number chosen, then click on search.
Step 3: Check the KYC status of each member
The screen will display all family members in the record with their current status. Members shown as “Approved” already have an active card. Those marked “Identified” or “e-KYC Pending” need verification. Click on the “Do e-KYC” or “Verify” button next to the member you want to update.
Step 4: Choose the authentication mode
The portal offers Aadhaar OTP, fingerprint, IRIS, and face authentication. For home use, Aadhaar OTP is the simplest option. Enter the Aadhaar number, tick the consent box, and click on verify. An OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked with Aadhaar.
Step 5: Complete the match check
After OTP verification, the system compares the Aadhaar demographic data with the record in the PM-JAY database. A match score is generated. If the score is above the required threshold, the record is auto-approved. If the score is lower, the request goes to the State Health Agency for manual approval.
Step 6: Upload photograph and mobile number
The portal will ask you to capture or upload a live photograph. Use a plain background with proper lighting. Enter the mobile number you want registered for the card and select the relationship of the member with the head of the family.
Step 7: Submit and note the reference
Review the details and submit. A confirmation message will appear with a reference number. Save this number, as it is needed to track the status if manual approval is required.
Step 8: Download the Ayushman Card
Once the status turns to “Approved”, return to the same family page and click on the download icon next to the member’s name. Authenticate once more with Aadhaar OTP and the card will be generated as a PDF. This can be printed on plain paper or saved to a phone for use at the hospital.
KYC Update Through the Ayushman App
The official Ayushman App, available on the Google Play Store, follows the same flow as the portal but is optimised for phones. It is particularly useful for face authentication, which uses the phone camera and does not need a fingerprint scanner.
- Install the Ayushman App and the Aadhaar FaceRD app, both published by government agencies
- Log in as a beneficiary using mobile number and OTP
- Search your family by Aadhaar, ration card, or family ID
- Tap on the member with pending KYC and select “Face Auth” as the authentication mode
- The app will redirect to Aadhaar FaceRD; look into the camera and blink when prompted
- After successful authentication, capture the photograph and submit the request
- Download the card from the same screen once the status shows as approved
Face authentication is the recommended option for elderly beneficiaries whose fingerprints have faded and who may not have a mobile number linked to Aadhaar.
Offline KYC at CSC or Hospital
Beneficiaries who are not comfortable with online processes can complete KYC at any Common Service Centre, at the Ayushman Mitra help desk inside an empanelled hospital, or at camps organised by the district health department.
The CSC operator logs in with an operator ID and performs biometric verification using a fingerprint scanner. The process takes around 10 minutes per person. Carry the Aadhaar card and ration card of every family member you want to update, since the operator needs to verify each one individually.
KYC and card generation at government-run camps and hospital help desks are free. Some CSCs charge a nominal amount for printing a PVC version of the card, but the digital card itself should never be charged for.
How to Check KYC Status
After submitting a KYC request, it is important to confirm the outcome. The status can be checked in the following ways.
- Log in to the beneficiary portal or app and search the family record; the status column shows Approved, Pending, or Rejected for each member
- Call the national PM-JAY helpline 14555 and provide your Aadhaar or family ID for status confirmation
- Visit the Ayushman Mitra desk at the nearest empanelled hospital, where staff can look up the record on the hospital’s transaction system
- Watch for the SMS confirmation sent to the registered mobile number once the card is approved
If the status remains pending beyond seven working days, it usually means the request is stuck in the state approval queue. In such cases, raising a grievance through the portal’s grievance section or contacting the district coordinator speeds up the process.
Common Reasons for KYC Rejection
A rejected KYC does not mean loss of eligibility. It usually indicates a data mismatch that can be corrected. The most frequent causes are listed below.
| Reason for Rejection | What It Means | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Name mismatch | Spelling in Aadhaar differs from the SECC or ration card entry | Submit request with Aadhaar name; if rejected, apply for manual approval with ration card proof |
| Age or gender mismatch | Date of birth or gender in Aadhaar does not match the database | Correct Aadhaar first if it is wrong, or seek manual verification at district office |
| Duplicate Aadhaar | The same Aadhaar is already linked to another family record | Raise grievance to delink from the wrong record |
| OTP failure | Mobile number not linked to Aadhaar or SIM inactive | Update mobile number at an Aadhaar centre, or use biometric or face authentication instead |
| Poor biometric quality | Fingerprint not readable due to age or manual work | Use face authentication through the Ayushman App |
| Photo rejected | Blurred image or face not clearly visible | Retake photograph in good light against a plain background |
Adding a New Family Member
Families often need to add a newborn, a newly married daughter-in-law, or a member whose name was missed in the original data. The beneficiary portal allows the head of the family to request an addition.
Open the family record and select the “Add Member” option. The new member’s Aadhaar is verified in the same way as a normal KYC. Supporting proof of relationship is required, such as a birth certificate for a child or a marriage certificate or updated ration card for a spouse.
The addition request always goes to the State Health Agency for approval and does not get auto-approved. Approval generally takes between one and three weeks. Once approved, the new member’s card can be downloaded from the same family page.
Updating Mobile Number and Address
Beneficiaries who changed their phone number after the card was issued should update it, since claim notifications and OTPs are sent to the registered number. This can be done by logging in to the portal with the new number and re-verifying the member through Aadhaar OTP or face authentication. The new number is captured during the photograph and mobile step.
Address changes are not made directly in the PM-JAY database. The scheme works on the family’s original listing, and the card remains valid across all states because of national portability. A beneficiary from Bihar can be treated in a Delhi or Mumbai hospital without any address update.
Ayushman Vay Vandana Card for Senior Citizens
Since October 2024, every Indian citizen aged 70 or above is entitled to a separate Ayushman Vay Vandana card, irrespective of income or existing PM-JAY status. The KYC process is the same, but the enrolment is done through a dedicated section of the portal and app.
Senior citizens who are already part of a PM-JAY family receive an additional top-up of Rs 5 lakh for their own use, separate from the family cover. Those who are not part of any existing family record get a fresh Rs 5 lakh cover on a family basis for members aged 70 and above.
Retired employees covered under CGHS, ECHS, or ESIC can choose between their existing scheme and the Vay Vandana card, but cannot hold both simultaneously. Those with private health insurance policies can hold the card alongside their existing policy without any restriction.
Why Private Health Cover Still Matters
An active Ayushman Card takes care of hospitalisation up to Rs 5 lakh at empanelled hospitals. For most families in the scheme, this is a substantial safety net. However, there are gaps that families with even modest incomes should plan for.
Treatment at private hospitals that are not empanelled under PM-JAY is not covered. Outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests done outside admission, and medicines purchased after discharge are also outside the scope. For a serious illness such as cancer or cardiac surgery at a large corporate hospital, the total bill can easily exceed Rs 5 lakh.
Families that have moved slightly above the eligibility line, or younger members who have started earning, often consider a separate health policy from insurers such as Star Health, Niva Bupa, HDFC ERGO, or ICICI Lombard. A basic family floater of Rs 5 lakh for a young family can cost a few thousand rupees per year, and a super top-up policy that starts paying after the first Rs 5 lakh is even cheaper.
Premiums paid for such policies are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80D, up to Rs 25,000 per year for self and family and an additional Rs 50,000 for senior citizen parents. For salaried individuals, this is a meaningful saving on top of the protection the policy provides.
Financial Planning Around the Ayushman Card
The Ayushman Card should be treated as one layer in a family’s health-cost planning rather than the only layer. A few simple habits help families avoid distress borrowing when someone falls ill.
- Keep a dedicated emergency savings account with a bank such as SBI, HDFC Bank, or Bank of Baroda for non-covered costs like transport, attendant food, and post-discharge medicines
- Members employed in factories or shops covered under ESIC should also register there, since ESIC hospitals provide outpatient care that PM-JAY does not
- Workers in the unorganised sector can enrol in the e-Shram portal and the PM Shram Yogi Maandhan pension scheme, which complement health cover with old-age income
- Families with a member aged 70 or above should complete the Vay Vandana KYC separately, because the extra Rs 5 lakh is a distinct cover
- If any member has a private policy, keep a photocopy of the policy card along with the Ayushman card so the hospital can coordinate benefits
Fraud Alert and Safety Precautions
The popularity of the scheme has led to a rise in fake calls, websites, and agents claiming to help with Ayushman Card KYC for a fee. Beneficiaries should be aware of the following.
- Card generation, KYC, and card download are entirely free; nobody is authorised to charge for these services
- Never share the Aadhaar OTP with anyone on the phone, even if the caller claims to be from the health department
- Only use the official NHA portal and the official Ayushman App; fake apps with similar names have been reported on app stores
- No government official will ask for bank account details or UPI PIN for KYC; the scheme does not involve any money transfer to beneficiaries
- Do not hand over your Aadhaar card and phone to unknown agents at camps who offer to complete the process on your behalf
- Report suspicious calls or websites through the national cybercrime helpline 1930
Using the Card at the Hospital
Once KYC is approved and the card is downloaded, using it at a hospital is simple. Carry the card in printed or digital form along with the Aadhaar card. At the hospital, ask for the Ayushman Mitra desk or PM-JAY help desk.
The Ayushman Mitra will verify the patient’s identity through biometric or OTP authentication, check the available balance on the family cover, and raise a pre-authorisation request for the treatment package. For emergencies, hospitals can admit the patient first and complete the verification within a short window.
Treatment is cashless. The hospital cannot ask the beneficiary to pay for anything covered under the approved package, including medicines, diagnostics during admission, and food for the patient. If a hospital demands payment, the beneficiary should call 14555 and file a complaint immediately.
Important Points to Remember
- Each family member needs a separate KYC and a separate card; one card does not cover the whole family
- The Rs 5 lakh limit is shared by the family and resets every financial year on 1 April
- There is no cap on family size; all members listed in the record are covered
- Pre-existing diseases are covered from day one with no waiting period
- The card is valid across all states and union territories that have implemented PM-JAY
- KYC done once remains valid; there is no annual renewal, but the card should be re-verified if Aadhaar details change
- Keep the PM-JAY reference number and the registered mobile number handy for any future service request
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many beneficiaries face delays not because of system issues but because of avoidable errors during the process. Avoiding the following will save time.
- Entering the Aadhaar number of the head of the family while trying to verify another member
- Using a mobile number for login that is different from the number linked to Aadhaar, leading to OTP failure
- Uploading a photograph of the Aadhaar card instead of a live face photograph
- Submitting multiple KYC requests for the same member, which creates duplicate entries and triggers rejection
- Assuming the old printed card is enough and skipping the e-KYC step altogether
- Paying an agent for a service that is available free on the official portal
Conclusion
The Ayushman Card KYC update process is simple when the beneficiary’s Aadhaar details match the family record and a linked mobile number is available. Most verifications are completed within minutes through Aadhaar OTP or face authentication on the official portal or app, while data mismatches can be resolved through manual approval at the district level.
Completing KYC for every family member, downloading each card, and understanding the limits of the cover ensures that the Rs 5 lakh benefit is actually available when a medical emergency arrives. Pairing the card with a small emergency fund and, where affordable, a private top-up policy gives families a complete financial shield against hospital costs.