Verify your PM-JAY eligibility and get your e-card before hospitalisation for cashless treatment.
Jurisdiction
All of India (State Health Agencies implement; PM-JAY administered by National Health Authority)
Who applies
Families listed in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 database or identified by state governments as eligible under PM-JAY; covers approximately 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families (about 50 crore beneficiaries)
Typical time
Eligibility check: instant; e-card download: 15–30 minutes (online); physical Ayushman card through Aarogya Mitra at empanelled hospital: 30–60 minutes
Fee
Free — no premium or enrolment fee for beneficiaries
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aadhaar Card of family member | Original | Primary identity and biometric verification for eligibility check and e-card generation; Aadhaar is the backbone of PM-JAY beneficiary identification |
| 2 | Ration Card (for SECC-linked verification) | Original | Helps link the family to SECC database records where Aadhaar alone is insufficient; ration card family details must match SECC data |
| 3 | Mobile number linked to Aadhaar | Original | OTP-based verification is done on the Aadhaar-linked mobile number during e-card generation; a working mobile number is essential |
| 4 | RSBY card (if applicable)(optional)Only for households that held an RSBY card | Original | Legacy RSBY smart card holders are automatically included in PM-JAY; presenting the RSBY card speeds up verification |
| 5 | State scheme card (if applicable)(optional)Required only in states with merged schemes; check state SHA website | Original | Families covered under state-specific health insurance schemes merged with PM-JAY (e.g., Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY in Andhra, Tamil Nadu Kalaignar, Delhi Arogya Kosh) may use state-specific IDs |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Visit pmjay.gov.in and click 'Am I Eligible'. Enter your mobile number and Aadhaar number (or ration card number or PMJAY/RSBY ID). Enter the OTP received. The portal will instantly display whether your family is listed as a PM-JAY beneficiary and show family member names.
Visit any PM-JAY empanelled hospital (list on pmjay.gov.in). The Aarogya Mitra (PM-JAY field worker) at the hospital helpdesk can check eligibility using biometric verification. This is useful for persons without smartphone access or those needing assistance.
Once eligibility is confirmed, log in to beneficiary.nha.gov.in using your Aadhaar and OTP. Complete eKYC verification (Aadhaar OTP or face authentication via mobile camera). Download and print the Ayushman Card (ABHA/PM-JAY beneficiary card) — it can be used immediately at any empanelled hospital for cashless treatment.
Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or Gram Panchayat. The CSC operator uses the CSC-PM-JAY integration to verify your identity, complete biometric EKYC, and print your Ayushman card on the spot. Applicable for rural/tribal areas and for persons who cannot do online verification.
At the time of hospitalisation, show the Ayushman card / ABHA health ID at the Aarogya Mitra counter of any PM-JAY empanelled hospital. The hospital verifies the card, processes pre-authorisation from the State Health Agency (SHA), and provides cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.
PM-JAY Empanelled Hospital (field worker)
Eligibility check at hospital, e-card generation, and pre-authorisation for treatment
Assists beneficiaries in verifying eligibility, generating Ayushman cards, and filing pre-authorisation requests for cashless hospitalisation.
State Health Department / NHA State Unit
Pre-authorisation and claim settlement
Approves pre-authorisation requests from empanelled hospitals; oversees claim settlement and fraud monitoring.
Common Services Centre, Ministry of Electronics and IT
Card generation at CSC for rural beneficiaries
Conducts Aadhaar-based eKYC and prints Ayushman cards for beneficiaries in areas without internet access.
Eligibility check, list of empanelled hospitals, scheme details, and beneficiary grievance.
Aadhaar-based eKYC and Ayushman card download for eligible beneficiaries.
Hospital-side Aarogya Mitra app for eligibility verification, pre-authorisation, and claims.
PM-JAY eligibility is based on the SECC 2011 census, which is a fixed database. Families not listed cannot be added. Check eligibility before visiting hospital — do not assume coverage.
eKYC via fingerprint biometric often fails for elderly persons, daily wage workers, or farmers due to worn fingerprints. In such cases, use IRIS authentication or face authentication via smartphone.
Only hospitals listed on pmjay.gov.in as empanelled can provide cashless PM-JAY treatment. Seeking treatment at non-empanelled hospitals, even government hospitals in some states, will result in out-of-pocket expenses.
All family members in the household share the ₹5 lakh annual limit. Families with multiple serious illnesses in a year can exhaust the limit. Keep track of claim amounts.
For planned (non-emergency) procedures, prior approval from the SHA is mandatory. Walking in for elective surgery without pre-authorisation will result in denial of cashless benefit.