Ayushman Bharat Health Card 2026: How to Apply, Benefits & Hospital List
Complete guide to the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana — eligibility criteria, application process, coverage details, and empanelled hospital list.
myEngineer Team
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What is Ayushman Bharat PMJAY?
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is the world's largest health insurance scheme, providing coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. In 2026, the scheme has been expanded to cover additional procedures and a wider beneficiary base.
Coverage Details
- Sum Insured: ₹5,00,000 per family per year
- Family Size: No cap on family size
- Pre-existing Diseases: Covered from day one
- Hospitalization: Covers 3 days pre and 15 days post hospitalization
Eligibility
The scheme targets economically vulnerable families identified through:
- Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data
- Deprivation categories in rural and urban areas
- Occupational criteria for urban workers
How to Apply for Ayushman Card
- Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC)
- Carry Aadhaar card and ration card
- Verification will be done on the spot
- Card is generated digitally and linked to your Aadhaar
- You can also apply online at pmjay.gov.in
What's New in 2026?
- Extended Coverage: Now includes outpatient department (OPD) consultations at select hospitals
- Mental Health: Psychiatric treatments added to the coverage list
- Digital Health Records: Integration with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission for seamless records
How to Check Empanelled Hospitals
Visit the official PMJAY hospital search portal and enter your state and district to find the complete list of empanelled hospitals near you.
Source: National Health Authority (NHA), Government of India
myEngineer Team
The editorial team at myEngineer.in, combining engineering expertise with policy analysis to deliver actionable insights on India's evolving regulatory landscape.