The Ayushman Card is the single most important document for any family covered under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). Without it, getting cashless treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh per year at an empanelled hospital becomes slow and stressful.
The good news is that you no longer have to visit a government office or wait for a physical card to arrive by post. The National Health Authority has made the card available as a downloadable PDF through the beneficiary portal, the Ayushman App, UMANG, and DigiLocker. This guide walks you through every method in plain language, explains what to do if your name does not appear, and covers the practical points around hospital admission, claim limits, and how the scheme fits alongside private health insurance.
What the Ayushman Card Actually Gives You
Before downloading anything, it helps to understand what the card represents. AB PM-JAY is a fully government-funded health assurance scheme. There is no premium, no waiting period for pre-existing diseases, and no cap on family size or age of members within an eligible household.
The card is proof that a specific individual has been verified as a beneficiary. Each family member needs their own card, even though the Rs 5 lakh annual cover is shared at the family level. The PDF you download carries a unique PM-JAY ID, a QR code, and basic identity details that the hospital scans at the time of admission.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme name | Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) |
| Annual cover | Rs 5 lakh per family per year |
| Premium payable | Nil, fully funded by central and state governments |
| Card format | Digital PDF with QR code and PM-JAY ID |
| Senior citizen extension | All citizens aged 70 and above through Ayushman Vay Vandana Card |
| Download channels | Beneficiary portal, Ayushman App, UMANG, DigiLocker, CSC |
| Helpline | 14555 |
Who Can Download the Card
Only individuals whose names already exist in the beneficiary database can generate the card. Eligibility is not based on an application in the traditional sense. Instead, households were identified through specific data sources, and later expansions added new categories.
Eligibility Criteria at a Glance
- Rural families listed under deprivation categories D1 to D5 and D7 in the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011
- Urban families belonging to notified occupational categories such as ragpickers, domestic workers, street vendors, construction workers, and similar groups
- Families previously covered under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
- Additional categories notified by individual state governments under their co-branded schemes
- All senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of income, following the 2024 expansion
- ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and Anganwadi helpers, added as a separate category
If you fall into any of these groups, your name should already be searchable on the portal. If it is not, the later section on rejected or missing entries explains the correction route.
Things to Keep Ready Before You Start
The download process is quick when you have the right inputs in front of you. Most failed attempts happen because people try to search with a spelling of the name that does not match the database, or because the Aadhaar-linked mobile number is not accessible for OTP.
- Aadhaar number of the person whose card is being downloaded
- Mobile number linked to that Aadhaar, since OTP verification is mandatory
- Ration card number or family ID, useful as an alternative search key
- State and district of residence as recorded in the beneficiary list
- PM-JAY ID, if you have received one earlier through SMS or a CSC receipt
- A stable internet connection and a device with a PDF reader
For senior citizens above 70, Aadhaar is the only document required. Their enrolment is Aadhaar-based and does not depend on the SECC list at all.
How to Download Ayushman Card PDF from the Beneficiary Portal
The official beneficiary portal run by the National Health Authority is the most reliable route. It works on both desktop and mobile browsers and does not require any app installation. Follow the steps below exactly in order.
Step 1: Open the Beneficiary Portal
Search for the NHA beneficiary portal in your browser and open the official government page. Avoid third-party websites that promise instant downloads for a fee. The genuine portal will never ask for payment or for your full Aadhaar details before OTP verification.
Step 2: Select the Beneficiary Login Option
On the home page, choose the Beneficiary option rather than Operator. The Operator login is meant for CSC agents and hospital staff. Enter your mobile number and the captcha shown on screen, then request an OTP.
Step 3: Verify the OTP
Enter the six-digit OTP received on your phone. Once verified, you will land on the search screen. The OTP is valid for a short window, so keep the phone within reach.
Step 4: Choose the Scheme and State
From the drop-down menus, select PMJAY as the scheme and then select your state. Some states operate under a co-branded name, such as Mukhyamantri Amrutum in Gujarat or Ayushman Bharat Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana in Maharashtra. Choose the option that appears for your state.
Step 5: Pick a Search Method
You can search by Aadhaar number, family ID, PM-JAY ID, name, or location. Searching by Aadhaar is the fastest and gives the most accurate result. If Aadhaar search fails, try the family ID or ration card number.
Step 6: Identify Your Family Record
The portal will display the household with each member listed separately. Next to every name you will see a status indicator. Approved means the card can be downloaded right away. Not Approved or Pending means e-KYC is still required before the PDF is generated.
Step 7: Complete Aadhaar Authentication
Click the Download Card option beside the approved name. The portal will ask for a second OTP sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number. This step confirms that the person downloading is the beneficiary or an authorised family member.
Step 8: Save the PDF
After successful authentication, the card opens as a PDF. Save it to your device, email a copy to yourself, and keep one in a cloud drive. Take a printout as well, since some smaller hospitals prefer a physical copy at the reception counter.
Downloading Through the Ayushman App
The Ayushman App is the official mobile application released by the National Health Authority and is available on the Google Play Store. It mirrors the portal but adds the ability to complete face-based e-KYC directly from the phone camera, which is useful in areas where fingerprint devices are not available.
- Install the Ayushman App from the Play Store and grant camera and location permissions
- Log in as a Beneficiary using your mobile number and OTP
- Select your state and search by Aadhaar or family ID
- Tap on your name and choose Download Card
- Complete Aadhaar OTP or face authentication as prompted
- The card will be saved in the app and can be exported as a PDF
If your status shows as pending, the same app allows you to complete e-KYC on the spot. Once the verification is approved, usually within a few hours to a couple of days, the download option becomes active.
Getting the Card from DigiLocker and UMANG
DigiLocker has become a convenient way to store all government-issued documents in one place. The Ayushman Card is available under the National Health Authority section, and once fetched, it stays in your issued documents list permanently.
DigiLocker Method
- Log in to DigiLocker with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
- Go to the Search Documents section and type Ayushman Card
- Select National Health Authority from the results
- Enter your PM-JAY ID or Aadhaar number and confirm the state
- Click Get Document; the card appears in Issued Documents within a few minutes
- Download the PDF or share it directly from within the app
UMANG Method
UMANG works in a similar fashion. Open the app, search for PM-JAY or Ayushman Bharat under services, and choose the card download option. Aadhaar OTP verification is required here as well, and the output is the same PDF that the beneficiary portal generates.
Offline Route Through Common Service Centres
Not everyone has a smartphone or a stable network connection. Common Service Centres and empanelled hospitals with an Ayushman Mitra desk can generate the card on your behalf. Carry your Aadhaar, ration card, and mobile phone. The operator will complete biometric or OTP verification and either print the card or send the PDF to your WhatsApp or email.
There is no official fee for card generation. If an operator asks for money, note the CSC ID and report it on the 14555 helpline. A nominal printing charge for the physical card may apply in some centres, but the PDF itself is free.
Why the Status Shows Not Approved and How to Fix It
A large number of families see their names in the database but cannot download the card because the status is stuck at Not Approved. This almost always means e-KYC has not been completed or has been rejected.
Common Reasons for Rejection
- Name spelling on Aadhaar does not match the name in the SECC or ration card record
- Date of birth or gender mismatch between Aadhaar and the beneficiary list
- Photograph captured during face authentication was unclear
- Mobile number used for OTP is not linked to Aadhaar
- Duplicate entry created by a previous attempt at a CSC
How to Resolve It
Redo the e-KYC through the Ayushman App using face authentication in good lighting. If the mismatch is in the name or date of birth, correct the Aadhaar record first through an Aadhaar Seva Kendra, then reattempt e-KYC. For persistent issues, visit the district PM-JAY office or the nearest empanelled hospital’s Ayushman Mitra, who can raise a grievance ticket on your behalf.
What to Do If Your Name Is Missing Entirely
If the portal returns no result for your Aadhaar, family ID, or name, it means your household was not captured in the original data sources. This does not always mean you are ineligible.
Several states have opened additional enrolment windows under their own schemes, and the 70-plus category is open to everyone regardless of prior listing. Check whether your state runs a co-branded scheme with wider coverage. Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Chhattisgarh, among others, have expanded the beneficiary base through state-funded additions.
You can also request a household verification through the district health office. If your family meets the deprivation criteria but was skipped during the census exercise, the state can add you through its own inclusion process.
Using the Card at a Hospital
Having the PDF is only half the job. The way you present it at the hospital decides whether the treatment goes cashless smoothly or turns into a reimbursement chase.
- Confirm that the hospital is empanelled under PM-JAY before admission; the hospital list is available on the portal and in the app
- Show the card at the Ayushman Mitra desk, not just at the general reception
- Carry the physical Aadhaar card as well, since hospitals run a biometric check at admission
- Ask for the pre-authorisation reference number once the treatment package is approved
- Collect the discharge summary and the claim settlement slip before leaving
The scheme covers pre-hospitalisation expenses for up to three days and post-hospitalisation care for up to fifteen days. Diagnostic tests, medicines, ICU charges, and the surgeon’s fee fall within the package rate, so there should be no separate billing for these items.
Where Ayushman Bharat Stops and Private Insurance Begins
This is the part most beneficiaries overlook. Rs 5 lakh sounds substantial, but a single cardiac surgery at a large private hospital in a metro city, or a course of cancer treatment, can cross that figure within weeks. The scheme is also restricted to empanelled hospitals, which means many premium corporate hospitals are simply outside its network.
For families whose income has grown since the SECC listing, or for those in the 70-plus bracket who have savings to protect, a supplementary private health insurance policy fills the gap. Insurers such as Star Health, HDFC ERGO, Niva Bupa, and Care Health offer family floater plans that can sit on top of the government cover.
How the Two Covers Work Together
| Aspect | Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY | Private Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Nil | Annual premium based on age and sum insured |
| Sum insured | Rs 5 lakh per family per year | Chosen by policyholder, commonly Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore |
| Hospital network | Empanelled public and private hospitals only | Insurer’s cashless network, typically wider in urban areas |
| Pre-existing diseases | Covered from day one | Waiting period, usually two to three years |
| Room rent | Package rate, general ward in most cases | Depends on plan, private room often included |
| Tax benefit | Not applicable | Deduction under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act |
A practical approach many families follow is to use the Ayushman Card for planned procedures at empanelled hospitals and hold a private policy with a higher sum insured for emergencies or for hospitals outside the PM-JAY network. Premiums paid on the private policy qualify for deduction under Section 80D, up to Rs 25,000 for self and family and an additional Rs 50,000 for senior citizen parents.
Top-Up and Super Top-Up Plans
If a full family floater feels expensive, a super top-up plan is worth considering. These plans activate only after a deductible, say Rs 5 lakh, is crossed in a policy year. Since the Ayushman cover already handles the first Rs 5 lakh at an empanelled hospital, a super top-up with a matching deductible from HDFC ERGO or Niva Bupa can extend the total protection to Rs 20 or Rs 25 lakh at a fraction of the cost of a standalone policy.
Financial Planning Around Medical Emergencies
Even with two layers of health cover, some expenses fall outside every policy. Travel to a distant hospital, the income lost by the attendant, consumables, and follow-up medicines over months add up. Building a small medical emergency fund in a separate savings account is a sensible complement to the Ayushman Card.
- Keep three to six months of household expenses in a liquid account with a bank such as SBI, HDFC Bank, or ICICI Bank, separate from regular spending
- Enrol family members under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation if anyone works in an establishment covered by ESIC, since it provides outpatient care that PM-JAY does not
- Check whether an employer-provided group health cover exists, because group policies often waive waiting periods that individual policies impose
- Use the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana for accidental cover at a token annual premium, which pairs well with the hospitalisation cover under PM-JAY
- Review all covers once a year, especially when a family member turns 60 or 70, as eligibility and premium slabs change at these ages
Fraud Alert: Fake Ayushman Card Websites and Calls
The popularity of the scheme has attracted scammers. Fake websites with names that closely resemble the official portal charge Rs 50 to Rs 500 for a card that is either counterfeit or simply a screenshot of the free PDF. Phone callers claim to be from the NHA and ask for Aadhaar OTPs to activate the card.
- The official portal and app never charge for card download
- No government official will ever ask for an OTP over the phone
- Never share your Aadhaar number, PM-JAY ID, or OTP on WhatsApp groups or social media pages offering help
- Verify any website by checking that it belongs to a gov.in domain before entering personal details
- Report suspicious calls or websites on the 14555 helpline or through the grievance section of the portal
Important Points to Remember
- Each family member needs an individual card, even though the Rs 5 lakh limit is shared
- The card does not expire, but e-KYC may need to be refreshed if the state migrates its database
- Newly born children and newly married spouses can be added to the family record at a CSC with supporting documents
- The PDF and the physical card carry the same legal validity at hospitals
- Treatment is portable across states; a beneficiary from Bihar can use the card at an empanelled hospital in Delhi
- Outpatient consultations and medicines bought outside hospitalisation are not covered
- The scheme covers over 1,900 medical and surgical procedures across 27 specialities, including oncology, cardiology, and orthopaedics
Common Mistakes People Make While Downloading
The process is simple, but a few recurring errors cause frustration. Being aware of them in advance saves several attempts.
- Selecting the Operator login instead of Beneficiary, which leads to a request for credentials the user does not have
- Entering the name in Hindi transliteration when the database has it in English spelling, or vice versa
- Trying to download the card for a family member whose e-KYC is still pending
- Using a mobile number that is not linked to Aadhaar and then waiting for an OTP that never arrives
- Searching under the wrong state after a recent migration, since the record remains with the original state of listing
- Closing the browser before the PDF fully generates, which sometimes locks the session for a few minutes
Conclusion
Downloading the Ayushman Card PDF takes less than ten minutes when the beneficiary record is approved and the Aadhaar-linked mobile number is at hand. The beneficiary portal, the Ayushman App, DigiLocker, and UMANG all produce the same valid document, so choose whichever platform you are comfortable with. If the status is pending, complete e-KYC through the app before attempting the download again.
Once the card is saved, treat it as the first layer of your family’s health protection rather than the only one. Pair it with an emergency fund and, where affordable, a private policy or super top-up plan so that a serious illness never forces a family into debt. The card is free, the download is free, and the peace of mind it brings is worth the few minutes of effort.