You can do Ayushman card e-KYC yourself on the official Ayushman app. Log in as a beneficiary, search your family by Aadhaar or ration card, verify with Aadhaar OTP or face scan, and submit. Once approved, you download the card in the same app. It's free, and helpline 14555 can help if you get stuck.
Updated 30 October 2026
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official portal | Ayushman app (Google Play) and beneficiary.nha.gov.in; scheme site nha.gov.in/PM-JAY |
| Helpline | 14555 (Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY national helpline) |
| Fee | Free on the app and portal; never pay an agent for e-KYC |
| Deadline | No deadline; do it before you need treatment |
| Documents | Aadhaar linked to a working mobile, ration card or PM-JAY family ID, a phone with camera |
| Cover | Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year at empanelled hospitals |
| Related posts | Check PM-JAY eligibility and get the card, Hospital refused Ayushman card? Call 14555 |
Who needs to do e-KYC?
You need e-KYC if your name is in the PM-JAY beneficiary list (or your state's merged scheme list) but you don't have an Ayushman card yet. e-KYC is how the system matches your Aadhaar to your entry in the list. Once e-KYC is approved, the card is generated.
If you already have a card and it works at hospitals, you don't need to redo anything. The card has no renewal. Be wary of messages saying "e-KYC mandatory again or card will be blocked". Check with 14555 before believing them.
Senior citizens aged 70 and above can get the Ayushman Vay Vandana card regardless of income. The app has an option for that too.
How do I do Ayushman card e-KYC on the app, step by step?
1. Install the Ayushman app. Get the official app from Google Play. Check that the publisher is the National Health Authority.
2. Log in as Beneficiary. Enter your mobile number, the captcha and the OTP.
3. Search your family. Choose the scheme (PM-JAY), your state, and search by Aadhaar number, ration card number or PM-JAY family ID. Your family members' names should appear.
4. Pick the member and tap e-KYC. Members without a card will show the option.
5. Verify identity. Use Aadhaar OTP sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile, or face authentication through the phone camera. Face auth may ask you to install the AadhaarFaceRD app.
6. Capture a photo and fill details. Take a live photo, add the mobile number and relationship to the head of family, and submit.
7. Wait for approval and download. Approval usually comes after a few days. Log in again and download the card from the member's entry.
What if my name isn't in the list?
Then e-KYC won't work, because there's nothing to match. Check eligibility first using our eligibility guide. If you think you should be eligible, ask at your nearest empanelled hospital's Ayushman Mitra desk, a Common Service Centre, or call 14555. Some states have added families through their own scheme lists, so your state's health scheme office can also help.
Common errors and fixes
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| OTP not coming | Aadhaar must be linked to a working mobile. Update it at an Aadhaar centre if not. |
| Face authentication fails | Use good light, remove glasses, keep the face steady. Try again later or use OTP. |
| Name spelling differs from Aadhaar | Small differences are usually matched. If e-KYC is rejected, visit an Ayushman Mitra with Aadhaar and ration card. |
| e-KYC "pending" for weeks | State health agencies approve cards. Call 14555 with the member details. |
| Card approved but won't download | Log out, log in again, and try from the member list. Try the beneficiary website on a computer. |
Can I do e-KYC for my parents or family?
Yes. One logged-in mobile number can search the family and do e-KYC for each member, as long as each person can complete Aadhaar OTP or face authentication. For elderly parents, face authentication is often easier than OTP if their Aadhaar mobile is old.
How do I actually use the card at a hospital?
Getting the card is half the job. Here's what happens when you need treatment:
1. Pick an empanelled hospital. Use the "Find Hospital" option on the app or the PM-JAY website. Not every private hospital is empanelled.
2. Go to the Ayushman Mitra desk before or at admission. Show the card or just your Aadhaar.
3. The hospital verifies you and raises a pre-authorisation for the treatment package.
4. Treatment is cashless for covered packages, up to the family's yearly limit of ₹5 lakh. That includes medicines and tests linked to the package.
5. Ask for the discharge summary and keep it. If anyone asks you to pay for a covered procedure, call 14555 and file a grievance.
The card works across states too. A family from Bihar can use it at an empanelled hospital in Delhi or Mumbai.
Where can I get help offline?
Ayushman Mitra desk at any empanelled hospital
Common Service Centre (CSC) near you
Helpline 14555
These are free for the e-KYC itself. If someone asks for money to "approve" your card, refuse and report it on 14555.
Real-life examples
Example 1, Jaipur. Ramesh found his family in the list but had no cards. He did e-KYC for himself, his wife and two kids through the app, and downloaded all four cards a week later.
Example 2, Patna. Shabnam's mother is 72. Instead of PM-JAY, she used the Vay Vandana option and got her card using face authentication.
Example 3, Chennai. Karthik's OTP wouldn't come because his Aadhaar was linked to an old number. He updated it at an Aadhaar centre and finished e-KYC a few days later.
Checklist before you start
☐ Aadhaar linked to a mobile you can access
☐ Ration card or PM-JAY family ID handy
☐ Phone with working camera and internet
☐ Official Ayushman app from Google Play
☐ Each family member available for OTP or face scan
☐ Helpline 14555 saved in your phone
Final reminder
Do it now, before a medical emergency. Download the card, save the PDF, and keep a printout in the house. If a hospital refuses your Ayushman card, our refusal guide tells you exactly what to do. And if health services in your area aren't working, raise it with your MP. Find them on NetaSampark's Know Your Neta.
Frequently asked questions
Is e-KYC for the Ayushman card free?
Yes. The app and the beneficiary portal are free. Don't pay any agent for e-KYC.
How long does Ayushman card approval take after e-KYC?
Usually a few days. If it stays pending for weeks, call 14555 with the member's details.
Can I do e-KYC without OTP?
Yes, face authentication through the phone camera is an option on the Ayushman app.
Do I need to renew my Ayushman card?
No renewal is needed. If someone says your card will be blocked without fresh e-KYC, verify on 14555 first.
What is the Ayushman card helpline number?
14555, the national helpline for Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.
Can I use my Ayushman card in another state?
Yes. PM-JAY has portability, so you can get cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital across India, not only in your home state. Carry the card or your Aadhaar.
Sources
National Health Authority: PM-JAY