The Prime Minister started the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, also called the PMJAY scheme, on September 23, 2018. It is a health insurance plan that helps around fifty crore people in India. Many people have already benefited from this scheme. A new rule has been added to help senior citizens. Now, all people above 70 years, no matter if they are rich or poor, can get free health insurance of up to Rs. 5 Lakh every year. This means they can get good treatment without worrying about money. In this article, we will learn more about its benefits, who can apply, what is covered, and other important details.
Delhi Ayushman Bharat Yojana Approved
Delhi’s new Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, held her first big meeting after taking the oath and made an important decision about healthcare. The government will now fully follow the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, giving free treatment up to Rs. 5 Lakh for everyone in Delhi. Poor families will get an extra Rs. 5 Lakh from the state government to help with medical expenses. Also, senior citizens who are 70 years or older will get free OPD and diagnostic tests. This plan will help many people get good treatment without worrying about money. The government wants to make sure that every person in Delhi gets the best healthcare possible.
Also Read: Delhi Ayushman Card Online Apply
Objective of Ayushman Bharat
The Ayushman Bharat Yojana was started to help people with healthcare needs:
- It aims to provides free treatment to poor families.
- It aims to help people get medical care in good hospitals without worry.
- Senior citizens above 70 years get free OPD and diagnostic services.
- It makes sure that everyone gets the right treatment on time.
- The scheme aims to improve healthcare and save lives across India.
Key Highlights of Ayushman Card
| Name of the Article | Ayushman Card 2025 |
| Treatment Limit | Up to Rs. 5 lakh per year |
| Eligibility | Poor and needy families |
| Hospitals | Government and private hospitals |
| Senior Benefits | Free OPD and tests for 70+ years |
| Cost | Completely free, no payment needed |
| Beneficiaries | Covers around 50 crore people |
| Emergency Help | Helps in serious health problems |
| Government Aid | Fully funded by the government |
| Application Process | Online |
| Official Website | https://pmjay.gov.in/ |
Ayushman Card Eligibility for Urban Area
People in cities who work in certain jobs can get this card:
- Ragpickers who collect waste from streets and garbage areas.
- Beggars who have no home and ask for help.
- Domestic workers like maids and house helpers.
- Street vendors, cobblers, hawkers, and other small service workers.
- Construction workers, plumbers, masons, laborers, painters, welders, security guards, coolies, and other head-load workers.
- Sweepers, sanitation workers, and gardeners (mali).
- Home-based workers, artisans, handicraft workers, and tailors.
- Transport workers like drivers, conductors, helpers to drivers and conductors, cart pullers, and rickshaw pullers.
- Shop workers, assistants, peons in small establishments, helpers, delivery assistants, attendants, and waiters.
- Electricians, mechanics, assemblers, and repair workers.
- Washermen and security guards (chowkidars).
Ayushman Card Eligibility for Rural Area
People in villages who meet certain conditions can get this card:
- Families living in a single-room house with kucha walls and roof.
- Families with no adult member between the ages of 16 to 59.
- Families without an adult male member between the ages of 16 to 59.
- Families with a disabled member and no able-bodied adult.
- Families belonging to SC/ST communities.
- Landless families who earn mainly from daily wage labor.
- Families included under automatic eligibility, like destitute people, manual scavengers, primitive tribal groups, and legally freed bonded laborers.
Also Read: Delhi Ayushman Card Download
Ayushman Card Eligibility for Senior Citizens
Senior citizens above 70 years can get this card for health benefits:
- All seniors above 70 years get Rs. 5 lakh health coverage.
- Their financial burden for medical expenses will become less.
- The Centre and State governments will share the cost together.
- Seniors in families under PM-JAY get an extra Rs. 5 Lakh only for themselves.
- This extra coverage will not be shared with younger family members.
- Seniors with private health insurance can still use this scheme.
- Seniors in CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF must choose one scheme.
- A separate health card will be given to all eligible senior citizens.
Ineligibility Criteria (Exclusions)
Some people cannot get this card because of these reasons:
- People who own a two, three, or four-wheeler vehicle.
- Those who have a motorized fishing boat.
- Farmers with machines for farming work.
- People with Kisan cards having Rs. 50,000 credit limit.
- Government employees or those working in government-run businesses.
- People earning more than Rs. 10,000 per month.
- Those who have refrigerators and landline phones at home.
- Families living in strong, well-built houses.
- Farmers who own 5 acres or more of land.
Required Documents List
Some important documents are needed to get this card:
- Aadhaar Card
- Proof of Address
- Income Certificate
- Age & Identity Proof
- Family Status Proof
- Contact Details
- Caste Certificate
Benefits of Ayushman Card
This card gives many health benefits to families every year:
- Free treatment up to Rs. 5 Lakh for eligible families.
- Covers medical check-ups, treatment, and doctor consultations.
- Pays for hospital stay before and after treatment.
- Provides medicines and medical supplies during treatment.
- Includes both normal and intensive care services.
- Covers tests like X-rays, blood tests, and other lab checks.
- Helps with special medical implants if needed.
- Gives food and stay benefits during hospital care.
- Covers problems that happen during treatment.
- Includes free follow-up care for 15 days after hospital discharge.
- Family members can share the Rs. 5 lakh coverage as needed.
- No age limit or family size limit for the scheme.
- Covers old diseases from the first day of enrollment.
Apply Online
To get your Ayushman Card online, follow these easy steps carefully:
Step 1: Go to the Official PMJAY Website.
Step 2: Click on the “Am I Eligible” option to open the Beneficiary NHA Portal.
Step 3: Enter your mobile number and type the OTP you get for verification.
Step 4: Use your state, district, Aadhaar number, or Family ID to check if you can apply.
Step 5: Click the “Action” button to start the application.
Step 6: Upload your latest photo and verify your KYC with Aadhaar OTP.
Step 7: Fill in your district, village, PIN code, birth date, and mobile number.
Step 8: Click on the “Submit” button to complete your application.
Step 9: After approval, download your Ayushman Card easily.
Helpline Number
- Address: 9th Floor, Tower-1, Jeevan Bharat Building, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001
- Toll Free Number: 14555
- Email ID: webmaster-pmjay[at]nha[dot]gov[dot]in
FAQs
What is the Ayushman Card?
A health card that provides free treatment up to Rs. 5 lakh per year.
Who can apply?
Eligible poor families as per government criteria.
How to check eligibility?
Visit the PMJAY website and enter your details.
Is there any age limit?
No, all family members are covered.
Can I use it in private hospitals?
Yes, in empaneled private and government hospitals.