Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme, launched on 23 September 2018. It provides free health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.
The scheme covers over 55 crore beneficiaries (approximately 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families) across India. There are no restrictions on family size, age, or gender — every member of an eligible family is covered from day one, including pre-existing conditions.
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World's Largest Health Insurance Scheme
PM-JAY is completely cashless and paperless — treatment at any empanelled hospital across India with zero out-of-pocket expense. Pre-existing conditions are covered from day one — no waiting period!
Key Benefits & Coverage
Feature
Details
Coverage Amount
₹5 Lakh per family per year
Medical Packages
1,929+ treatment packages across 27 specialties
Hospital Network
27,000+ empanelled govt. & private hospitals across India
Pre & Post Hospital
Covers 3 days before admission and 15 days after discharge
Portability
Use anywhere in India
Pre-existing Conditions
Covered from Day 1
Cost to Beneficiary
₹0 — Completely Free
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is based on Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data. No separate enrollment needed — if your family is on the list, you're automatically eligible.
🌾 Rural Beneficiaries
Houses with only one room (kucha walls/roof)
No adult male member between 16–59 years
SC/ST households
Landless casual manual labourers
Destitute, manual scavengers, primitive tribal groups
🏙️ Urban Beneficiaries (11 Categories)
Ragpickers, beggars, domestic workers
Street vendors, cobblers, hawkers
Construction workers, plumbers, masons
Sweepers, sanitation workers, transport drivers
Shop assistants, peons, delivery workers
Who is NOT Eligible? (Exclusions)
You are NOT eligible if you or your family:
Own a motorized vehicle (2/3/4-wheeler) or fishing boat.
Own mechanized farming equipment (like a tractor).
Have a Kisan Credit Card with a limit above ₹50,000.
Are employed by the Government or earn over ₹10,000/month.
Own a refrigerator, landline, or a pucca (solid) house.
Own 5 acres or more of agricultural land.
Application Process
Getting your PM-JAY Golden e-Card is simple — online or offline.
📋 Documents Required
🪪 Aadhaar Card
🧾 Ration Card
📱 Active Mobile Number
📜 Income Certificate
🏷️ Caste Certificate
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Online — via UMANG Portal
1
Visit UMANG Website
Go to web.umang.gov.in or download the UMANG app.
2
Register & Verify OTP
Enter mobile number, verify via OTP to create an MPIN.
3
Find PM-JAY Service
Go to "All Services" and search for PM-JAY.
4
Fill & Upload Documents
Complete application form and upload required documents.
Submit & Get Confirmation
Review details and submit to receive a confirmation SMS.
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Offline — at Hospital or CSC
1
Visit Empanelled Hospital or CSC
Go to any empanelled hospital or Common Service Centre (CSC).
2
Meet the Arogya Mitra
Provide your Ration Card, Aadhaar, or Mobile Number for name lookup.
3
Biometric Verification
Aadhaar and Ration Card are scanned and uploaded for verification.
4
State Health Agency Approval
Request sent for instant approval to the State Health Agency.
Get Your Golden e-Card!
PM-JAY Golden e-Card is printed and given to you immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do beneficiaries have to pay anything? +
No, absolutely not. All eligible beneficiaries receive completely free, cashless services for secondary and tertiary hospital care at any empanelled hospital. Zero out-of-pocket expense.
Will a card be given to the beneficiary? +
Yes. Once your identity is verified by the Arogya Mitra at a hospital or CSC, a dedicated PM-JAY Golden e-Card will be generated and issued to you on the spot.
Are pre-existing illnesses covered? +
Yes! Unlike private insurance, this government scheme covers all pre-existing conditions from day one. There are no waiting periods whatsoever.
Are newborn children covered? +
Yes. Newborn children belonging to an eligible family are automatically covered under the scheme from birth — no separate registration needed.
