Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY 2026 – Apply Online, Eligibility & Benefits

📋 Overview

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the world's largest health insurance scheme run by the Government of India. It provides ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation in empanelled hospitals. The scheme covers more than 1,900 medical procedures including surgeries, cancer treatment, dialysis and more. As of 2026, over 30 crore Ayushman cards have been issued across the country.

✅ Key Benefits

• Health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year
• Covers secondary and tertiary hospitalisation expenses
• Completely cashless and paperless treatment at empanelled hospitals
• Covers pre and post hospitalisation costs for up to 15 days
• Over 1,900 medical procedures and conditions covered
• No restriction on family size or age of members
• Covers pre-existing diseases from day one

👤 Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for Ayushman Bharat is based on SECC 2011 database for rural areas and occupational criteria for urban areas. Families in SECC list who fall under deprived categories automatically qualify. For urban areas, 11 occupational categories like construction workers, domestic workers, rag pickers, cobblers, etc. are covered. As of 2026, the scheme has been extended to all senior citizens aged 70 and above as well.

📄 Required Documents

• Aadhaar Card or any government-issued identity proof
• Ration Card (if available)
• Mobile number for OTP verification
• No separate documents needed if name exists in SECC list

🚀 How to Apply

1. Visit the official Ayushman Bharat website at pmjay.gov.in
2. Click on 'Am I Eligible' option on the homepage
3. Enter your mobile number and verify with OTP
4. Search by name, Ration Card or SECC data to check eligibility
5. If eligible, visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or Ayushman Bharat empanelled hospital
6. Get your Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card created
7. Show the card at any empanelled hospital to avail cashless treatment

❓ Frequently Asked Questions