Ayushman App 2026: Make Ayushman Card Online, Vay Vandana Card for 70+, Eligibility, Download and ABHA
The Ayushman App by the National Health Authority lets eligible families create and download the Ayushman card for Rs 5 lakh free treatment under PM-JAY. Eligibility, Vay Vandana for 70+, step-by-step card creation, ABHA and helpline 14555.
On this page14 sections
The Ayushman App is the official mobile app of the National Health Authority (NHA) for creating and downloading the Ayushman card under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). With an Ayushman card, an eligible family gets free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year at empanelled hospitals across India.
As of 21 September 2026, over 48.51 crore Ayushman cards had been created, including over 1.36 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana cards for senior citizens aged 70 and above. This guide explains who is eligible, how to make your Ayushman card on the app step by step, how to download it, and how ABHA (your digital health ID) is different.
Ayushman App and AB PM-JAY at a Glance
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| App name | Ayushman App |
| Developer | National Health Authority (NHA) |
| Platforms | Android and iOS |
| Scheme | Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) |
| Scheme launched | 23 September 2018, Ranchi, Jharkhand |
| Health cover | Rs 5 lakh per family per year |
| Ayushman cards created | 48.51 crore+ (21 September 2026) |
| Hospital admissions | About 13.25 crore, worth about Rs 2.03 lakh crore (31 August 2026) |
| Empanelled hospitals | Over 38,000 public and private hospitals (September 2026) |
| Helpline | 14555 (toll-free, 24x7) |
What AB PM-JAY Covers
- Cashless and paperless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
- No limit on family size, age or gender.
- All pre-existing diseases are covered from day one.
- Up to 3 days before and 15 days after hospitalisation (diagnostics and medicines) are covered.
- Around 1,900+ treatment procedures across multiple specialities.
- Portability: you can use your card at any empanelled hospital anywhere in India.
Who Is Eligible for an Ayushman Card?
| Category | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Original PM-JAY families | Poor and vulnerable families identified using SECC 2011 deprivation and occupational criteria (originally over 12 crore families) |
| ASHA and Anganwadi workers | About 37 lakh families of ASHA and Anganwadi workers and helpers (added in March 2024). 44.81 lakh+ cards issued as of 21 September 2026 |
| Senior citizens 70+ (Ayushman Vay Vandana) | All senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income, launched 29 October 2024 |
| State expansions | Many states run their own schemes with PM-JAY and add more families. Check your state's rules |
Ayushman Vay Vandana Card for 70+ Senior Citizens
The Cabinet approved the expansion of AB PM-JAY to all senior citizens aged 70 and above on 11 September 2024, and the Prime Minister launched it on 29 October 2024. It is universal, with no income limit. About 6 crore senior citizens in about 4.5 crore families are covered, with Rs 5 lakh cover per family per year.
As of 21 September 2026, over 1.36 crore Vay Vandana cards had been issued. As of 31 December 2025, 10.33 lakh hospital admissions worth Rs 2,154.37 crore had been made under it.
How to Check Eligibility
- Use the Beneficiary login in the Ayushman App and search by your details (steps below). If your name appears, you are eligible.
- Visit the NHA beneficiary portal at beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
- Call the helpline 14555.
- Visit your nearest empanelled hospital (Ayushman Mitra) or Common Service Centre.
How to Make an Ayushman Card on the Ayushman App
These steps are based on NHA's Beneficiary Identification System (BIS 2.0) mobile app user manual. Screens may change slightly with app updates.
- Install the Ayushman App by National Health Authority from Google Play or App Store.
- Open the app and choose Beneficiary as the login type.
- Enter your mobile number, tap Verify, enter the 6-digit OTP and the captcha, and log in.
- Allow location access when asked.
- Select your State, Scheme and District.
- Search by Aadhaar number, Family ID or Name.
- Find your name in the results and tap Identified to start e-KYC.
- Authenticate with Aadhaar OTP, face authentication, fingerprint or iris.
- Take a live photo with the phone camera.
- Fill in the remaining details: PIN code, mobile number, district, relation with the head of family and rural or urban status.
- Submit. The system checks the details and may approve the card automatically.
- Once approved, download the card as a PDF.
You can make cards for other members of your family in the same way, as long as they appear in the search results.
How to Download Your Ayushman Card
- In the Ayushman App, log in as Beneficiary, search for your name, and use the download option once your card status is approved.
- You can also download it from NHA's Beneficiary Identification System at bis.pmjay.gov.in.
Ayushman Card vs ABHA: What Is the Difference?
| Point | Ayushman Card (PM-JAY) | ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh for eligible families | Digital health ID to link and share your health records |
| Who can get it | Only eligible beneficiaries | Any Indian resident |
| Number | PM-JAY ID | 14-digit ABHA number, plus an ABHA address like name@abdm |
| App | Ayushman App | ABHA app (by NHA) |
| Website | beneficiary.nha.gov.in | abha.abdm.gov.in |
| Cost | Free | Free |
ABHA is created under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Your records are shared only with your consent, one record at a time. As of 17 September 2026, over 97.61 crore ABHA had been created, with 119.95 crore health records linked. You can create ABHA using Aadhaar or a driving licence on abha.abdm.gov.in or the ABHA app.
How to Use the Ayushman Card in a Hospital
- Go to a PM-JAY empanelled hospital.
- Visit the Ayushman Mitra help desk with your Ayushman card and Aadhaar.
- Your identity is verified and treatment is approved under the scheme.
- Treatment is cashless for covered procedures, within your family's annual limit.
Helpline Numbers
| Purpose | Number |
|---|---|
| AB PM-JAY helpline (24x7, toll-free) | 14555 |
| Missed call (as per PIB, October 2024) | 1800-110-770 |
Safety Tips
- The Ayushman card is free. Do not pay any agent or website to make it.
- Download only the Ayushman App by National Health Authority.
- If an empanelled hospital asks you to pay for a covered treatment, call 14555.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is the Ayushman card free?
Yes. Creating and downloading the Ayushman card is free.
Q2. How much cover does the Ayushman card give?
Rs 5 lakh per family per year for hospital treatment at empanelled hospitals.
Q3. Can every senior citizen get an Ayushman card?
All senior citizens aged 70 and above are eligible for the Ayushman Vay Vandana card, regardless of income.
Q4. Is ABHA the same as the Ayushman card?
No. ABHA is a digital health ID for everyone. The Ayushman card is for free treatment under PM-JAY for eligible families.
Q5. Can I make the Ayushman card myself on my phone?
Yes, using the Ayushman App with Aadhaar OTP or face authentication, if your name is in the eligible list.
Q6. What is the Ayushman helpline number?
14555 (toll-free, 24x7).
Conclusion
If your family is eligible under PM-JAY, or if anyone in your home is 70 or older, make the Ayushman card today using the Ayushman App. It takes a few minutes with Aadhaar and can save lakhs of rupees in a medical emergency.
Reference Links
- National Health Authority: AB PM-JAY
- NHA Beneficiary Portal
- PIB: 8 years of AB PM-JAY (September 2026)
- PIB: Ayushman Vay Vandana launch
- PIB: Vay Vandana details and helplines
- PIB: Vay Vandana in Parliament (February 2026)
- PIB: ABHA explainer
- ABHA official website
- BIS 2.0 Mobile App User Manual (NHA)
- Ayushman App on Google Play
- Ayushman App on App Store
- ABHA App on Google Play
Last updated: 27 September 2026. Figures are from the dates mentioned. Check nha.gov.in for the latest.