Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): ₹5 lakh free health cover explained
Last updated: 1 July 2026
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is a government health-assurance scheme. This is a simple explainer; check your own eligibility and covered hospitals on the official National Health Authority portal.
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What does Ayushman Bharat cover?
PM-JAY provides health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per eligible family per year for secondary and tertiary hospital care at empanelled public and private hospitals. It is cashless and paperless at the point of care for covered treatments.
Who is eligible?
- Eligibility is based on the government's deprivation and occupational criteria (from the SECC database) and other notified categories.
- There is no fixed 'enrolment' fee — if your family is on the eligible list, you can get an Ayushman card.
- Check your family's status on the official beneficiary portal or ask at an empanelled hospital's Ayushman desk.
How to check eligibility and get your card
- Open the official beneficiary portal beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
- Log in with your mobile number and OTP.
- Search by your state and ration card / Aadhaar / mobile to see if your family is eligible.
- If eligible, complete e-KYC to generate your Ayushman card — you can also do this free at an empanelled hospital or CSC.
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Ask Saathi: “Am I eligible for Ayushman Bharat and how do I get the card?”Frequently asked questions
How much cover does Ayushman Bharat give?
Up to ₹5 lakh per eligible family per year for covered hospital treatments at empanelled hospitals.
Is the Ayushman card free?
Yes — eligible families can get the card free of cost; you should never pay a middleman for it. Verify at beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
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