If your family is eligible for Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, getting the card is free and can be done from your phone in 10–15 minutes. The card unlocks ₹5 lakh per year of cashless hospital treatment for your family. Here is the exact process on the beneficiary portal, the app and offline options.
Apply online — beneficiary portal
- Open beneficiary.nha.gov.in
- Select Beneficiary login, enter your mobile number, verify with OTP
- Choose your state, district and scheme (PMJAY)
- Search your family by Aadhaar number, family ID (ration card) or name
- If your family appears, click e-KYC for each member — authenticate via Aadhaar OTP or face authentication
- Upload/capture a photo where prompted and submit
- Once verification is approved, the card status turns Approved — download the card PDF
Using the Ayushman App
The Ayushman App (Android) follows the same flow — login with mobile number, search family, complete e-KYC per member, then download cards. Face authentication in the app is handy for elderly members whose OTP or fingerprints fail.
Apply offline
- Empanelled hospital: the Ayushman Mitra desk verifies eligibility and completes e-KYC free of charge
- CSC centre: village-level entrepreneurs can do biometric e-KYC — card generation is free
- Helpline 14555 can guide you to the nearest enrolment point
Card creation and download are completely free.
Documents needed
| Document | Purpose |
| Aadhaar card | Identity + e-KYC (each member) |
| Mobile number | OTP login |
| Ration card / family ID | Locating the family record |
Special case — senior citizens 70+
All citizens aged 70 and above are eligible for a separate Vay Vandana card with ₹5 lakh cover regardless of income. Apply through the same portal/app — select the 70+ option and complete Aadhaar e-KYC. Seniors in already-covered families get an additional shared top-up cover.
Frequently asked questions
My family is not in the list. Can I still apply?
PM-JAY lists come from SECC/state data, so you cannot self-add. Check your state health scheme (many cover extra families), or use the 70+ route for senior members. See eligibility details.
Does every member need a separate card?
Yes — each member completes e-KYC and gets an individual card, while the ₹5 lakh cover is shared per family per year.
How long does approval take?
Often instant when Aadhaar details match; otherwise a few days to two weeks. Track it on the portal — see card status guide.
Related guides
Disclaimer: PMYojnaUpdates.com is an independent information portal, not affiliated with any government department. Always use the official site pmjay.gov.in for applications and status checks.