How to Download Ayushman Card and Keep a Digital Copy on Your Phone

By / January 24, 2026

Who needs this service?

You need to download the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) card if you are an eligible beneficiary under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. This card is mandatory to avail cashless medical treatment up to ₹5 Lakh per year at empaneled public and private hospitals.

  • Existing Beneficiaries: Individuals whose names appear in the SECC 2011 database.

  • State Scheme Beneficiaries: Holders of specific Ration Cards (Antyodaya/Priority Household) linked to state health schemes (e.g., Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana).

  • Newly Added Members: Family members recently added to an existing Ayushman household via e-KYC.

  • Senior Citizens (70+): Eligible seniors under the new expansion (Ayushman Vay Vandana).

Required documents

To download the card, you must have the following details ready for authentication. No physical documents are needed for the online download, just the data:

  • Aadhaar Card Number (Must be linked to a mobile number for OTP).

  • Registered Mobile Number (The one linked to your Aadhaar or provided during enrollment).

  • Ration Card Number or Family ID (Parivar Pehchan Patra in some states).

  • PMJAY ID (If you have a previous reference number or letter from the PM).

how to download ayushman card

Online Application Process (Step-by-Step)

The government has migrated to a new, unified portal (beneficiary.nha.gov.in) which replaces older state-specific portals. Follow these exact steps to download the card directly to your phone or computer.

Method 1: Using the Official NHA Beneficiary Portal

1. Visit the Official Portal

2. Login as Beneficiary

  • On the homepage, you will see a login box on the right side.

  • Select the tab labeled “Beneficiary” (Do not select “Operator”).

  • Enter Mobile Number: Type your current mobile number.

  • Click Verify. You will receive a 6-digit OTP on this number.

  • Enter OTP: Type the code received.

  • Enter Captcha: Type the characters shown in the image.

  • Click Login.

3. Search for Your Record You will now see a search dashboard. Enter the details exactly as follows:

  • Scheme: Select PMJAY.

  • State: Select your State (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra).

  • Sub-Scheme: Select PMJAY (or your specific state scheme like MMJAA if applicable).

  • District: Select your District.

  • Search By: Choose Aadhaar Number (Recommended) or Family ID.

  • Enter Detail: Type your Aadhaar number.

  • Click the Search icon (magnifying glass).

4. View Family List

  • The system will display a list of all family members linked to that Aadhaar/Family ID.

  • Look at the column labeled “Card Status”.

    • Approved: Your card is ready to download.

    • Identified/Pending: You need to complete e-KYC first (see troubleshooting).

    • No Record Found: The details entered do not match the database.

5. Authenticate and Download

  • Click the Download Symbol (Downward arrow icon) next to your name in the “Action” column.

  • A pop-up titled “Authenticate Yourself” will appear.

  • Select “Aadhaar OTP”.

  • Consent: Check the box “Yes, I wish to create/download my ABHA…”. Click Allow.

  • You will receive an OTP on the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar.

  • Enter the Aadhaar OTP and click Authenticate.

6. Save the Card

  • You will see the card preview.

  • Click the “Download” button at the top.

  • The file will save as a PDF named AyushmanCard_[Name].pdf.

  • Action: Save this PDF to your Google Drive or email it to yourself immediately for safekeeping.

Method 2: Using the Official “Ayushman App”

This is the easiest method for keeping a digital copy on your phone.

1. Install the App

  • Go to the Google Play Store.

  • Search for “Ayushman App” (Publisher: National Health Authority).

  • Direct Link: Ayushman App on Play Store

  • Warning: Do not download unofficial APKs from third-party sites.

2. Login

  • Open the app.

  • Tap Login.

  • Select Beneficiary.

  • Enter your Mobile Number and tap Verify.

  • Enter the OTP and Captcha.

3. Search and Authenticate

  • Select State, Scheme (PMJAY), Search By (Aadhaar), and District.

  • Tap Search.

  • Scroll to find your name in the family list.

  • Tap the Download Card button (Orange/Green icon).

4. Validation

  • Select Aadhaar OTP as the authentication mode.

  • Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile.

  • The app will process your request.

5. Digital Storage

  • The card will appear on the screen.

  • Tap Download to save it to your phone’s storage.

  • Tap Print if you have a connected printer.

  • Tip: The app caches the card, so you can often view it later, but downloading the PDF is safer.

Method 3: Using DigiLocker (Government Vault)

This is the most authentic way to store the card legally.

1. Open DigiLocker

  • Download the DigiLocker App or visit digilocker.gov.in.

  • Login using your Mobile/Aadhaar and 6-digit security PIN.

2. Search Document

  • Click on the Search tab (Magnifying glass).

  • Type “Ayushman” or “National Health Authority”.

  • Select “Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)” from the results.

3. Fetch Card

  • Select “Ayushman Bharat Card”.

  • Your Name and Date of Birth will be auto-filled from Aadhaar.

  • Enter your PMJAY ID (if known) or ABHA Number.

  • Note: If you don’t know your PMJAY ID, use Method 1 (Portal) first to find it on the dashboard.

  • Click Get Document.

4. Keep Digital Copy

  • The card will be saved in the “Issued Documents” section.

  • This digital copy is legally equivalent to the physical card under the IT Act.

Offline Process (If Online Fails)

If you cannot access the internet, lack an Aadhaar-linked mobile, or face technical errors, you must visit a physical center.

Where to go:

  1. CSC (Common Service Centre): Available in almost every Gram Panchayat.

  2. Empaneled Hospitals: Look for the “Ayushman Mitra” desk.

The Process:

  1. Carry Documents: Bring your Aadhaar Card and Ration Card.

  2. Verification: The operator will enter your details into the BIS (Beneficiary Identification System).

  3. Biometric Auth: Since you might not have an OTP, the operator will use a Fingerprint Scanner or Iris Scanner to authenticate you against your Aadhaar.

  4. Approval: If the system approves your KYC, the operator will download the card.

  5. Print: They will print a paper copy or a plastic PVC card for you.

    • Cost: The card generation is free. CSCs may charge a nominal fee (approx. ₹30) for printing/lamination of the PVC card.

How to Check Status / Track Application

If you have applied for a card or updated your KYC and the status says “Pending,” you can track it here:

1. Portal Tracking:

  • Login to beneficiary.nha.gov.in as a Beneficiary.

  • Search for your family using Aadhaar.

  • Look at the Status Column:

    • Verified: KYC is complete; card is ready.

    • Pending: Sent to the SHA (State Health Agency) for manual approval. This usually happens if the name on Aadhaar differs slightly from the Ration Card.

    • Rejected: The request was denied. Click the “Info” icon to see the rejection reason (usually “Document Unclear” or “Data Mismatch”).

2. Link Aadhaar Status:

  • If your card is not generating, check if your Aadhaar is linked to the scheme.

  • On the same portal, look for the “Link Aadhaar” action button. If enabled, you must link it to proceed.

Common Problems and Solutions

These are the 5 most frequent errors users face in 2025-2026, along with official fixes.

1. “No Record Found” Error

  • Cause: The search parameters do not match the SECC 2011 or State database exactly.

  • Solution:

    • Try searching by Family ID (Ration Card Number) instead of Aadhaar.

    • Select the correct Sub-Scheme. For example, in UP, try switching between PMJAY and BOCW (Building workers).

    • If you are a new beneficiary, ensure your data has been updated by the local Asha worker or Panchayat Sahayak.

2. “Card Status: Pending”

  • Cause: There is a mismatch between your Aadhaar details (Name/DOB) and the Ration Card details.

  • Solution:

    • Do not re-apply immediately. Wait for 7-15 days for the State Health Agency to review.

    • If it remains pending for >30 days, visit the District Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or the District Program Coordinator (DPC) with your original documents to clear the queue manually.

3. “Mobile Number Not Registered” during Login

  • Cause: The portal requires a valid mobile number for login, but it doesn’t strictly have to be the one on your Aadhaar for the first login step.

  • Solution: You can use any active mobile number to log into the beneficiary.nha.gov.in portal. The Aadhaar-linked number is only required at the final step of Downloading or e-KYC authentication.

4. OTP Not Received

  • Cause: Network congestion or Aadhaar server (UIDAI) downtime.

  • Solution:

    • Wait 2 minutes and click “Resend OTP”.

    • Try using the “Ayushman App” instead of the website; it often handles OTPs better.

    • Verify if your mobile has an active SMS pack.

5. Name Mismatch / Photo Mismatch

  • Cause: The photo on the card is old (from 2011) or the name spelling is wrong.

  • Solution:

    • Login to the portal.

    • Click the “Redo e-KYC” button next to your name.

    • Authenticate via Aadhaar. This will update your Photo and Name on the Ayushman card to match your current Aadhaar details exactly. The new card will be generated automatically.

Official Helpline Numbers

If you face persistent issues or corruption (e.g., someone asking for money to approve the card), contact these official channels immediately.

  • National Toll-Free Helpline: 14555 or 1800-111-565

    • Use this for: General queries, hospital complaints, and card status checks.

  • Grievance Portal: https://cgrms.pmjay.gov.in/

    • Use this for: Logging formal complaints if a hospital refuses treatment or a CSC overcharges.

  • Email Support: pmjay@nha.gov.in (Response time: 24-48 hours)

Important Security Note

Never share your OTP with anyone claiming to be from the “Ayushman Department” over a phone call. Government officials will never ask for your OTP over the phone. The OTP is only for you to enter on the official portal or app.

This information is from official sources (National Health Authority, NHA) as of January 2026. Always verify details on the official portal beneficiary.nha.gov.in for the latest updates.

Next Step for You: Would you like me to guide you on how to find the nearest empaneled hospital where you can use this card, or how to correct a wrong name on your existing card?

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