Schemes / Government of India
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)
Central schemeLow income / BPLeveryone
Government-funded health assurance for poor and vulnerable families, giving cashless hospital treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals across India.
What you get
Health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation, cashless and paperless at empanelled hospitals, including pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses. No cap on family size or age.
Who can apply
- Families identified through SECC 2011 deprivation and occupational criteria, and other categories added by the Centre and states (for example, ASHA and anganwadi workers)
- All citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income (see Ayushman Vay Vandana)
- Many states run combined schemes with wider coverage; check eligibility on the beneficiary portal
How to apply
- Check eligibility at beneficiary.nha.gov.in or the Ayushman App with your mobile number/Aadhaar, or call 14555
- Complete Aadhaar e-KYC and download your Ayushman card (or get it at a CSC or empanelled hospital)
- At an empanelled hospital, contact the Ayushman Mitra desk for cashless treatment
Documents usually needed
- Aadhaar card
- Ration card or other family identifier (as asked)
Nodal authority: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Amounts and rules change — the official page is the final word.