For a farming family, a single medical emergency can lead to a cycle of debt. To prevent this, the Government of India’s Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) serves as a powerful safety net.
In 2026, the scheme has become even more accessible. Here is a complete guide on how farmers can check their eligibility, download their cards, and receive cashless treatment.
What is Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY)?
Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest government-funded healthcare program. It provides a health cover of ₹5,00,000 per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
Key Benefits for Your Family:
- Cashless & Paperless: You don’t need to pay cash at the hospital; the government pays the hospital directly.
- No Limit on Family Size: Whether you have 3 members or 10, everyone is covered.
- Pre-existing Diseases Covered: If you already have an illness (like heart trouble or diabetes) before getting the card, it is covered from Day 1.
- Covers 1,500+ Procedures: Includes surgeries, medicines, diagnostics, and even post-hospitalization costs for 15 days.
Are You Eligible? (Criteria for Farmers)
The scheme is “entitlement-based,” meaning your name must be in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 database or fulfill specific rural deprivation criteria.
Who is Generally Eligible in Rural Areas?
- Families living in Kucha houses (one room with kucha walls/roof).
- Landless households that earn their living through manual labor.
- Families with no adult male member (aged 16–59).
- SC/ST households.
Important: Who is NOT Eligible?
You may be excluded if you meet any of the following:
- Own 5 acres or more of agricultural land.
- Own motorized farming equipment (like a tractor).
- Have a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) with a limit exceeding ₹50,000.
- Own a two, three, or four-wheeler or a refrigerator.
- Earn more than ₹10,000 per month.
New in 2026: All senior citizens aged 70 years and above are now eligible for an additional ₹5 lakh cover, regardless of their financial status or land ownership.
Step-by-Step: How to Check Your Eligibility Online
You can check if your family is on the list in just 2 minutes:
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
- Login: Enter your mobile number and click “Verify.” Enter the OTP sent to your phone.
- Search Details: Select your State and District.
- Search By: You can search using your Aadhaar Number, Ration Card (Family ID), or Name.
- Check Results: If your family details appear, you are eligible! You will see the status of each member (e.g., “Verified” or “Not Generated”).
How to Get Your Ayushman Card
If your name is on the list but you don’t have the card, follow these steps:
- At Home: Download the “Ayushman App” from the Google Play Store. You can complete your own “Face Auth” or OTP-based e-KYC to download the card.
- At a Center: Visit your nearest Common Service Center (CSC) or a government hospital. Take your Aadhaar Card and Ration Card. A “Vikas Mitra” or “Ayushman Mitra” will help you for a nominal fee (usually ₹30).
How to Get Treatment at the Hospital
Once you have your card (e-card or plastic card), getting treatment is simple:
- Find a Hospital: Check the list of “Empanelled Hospitals” on the PM-JAY website. Both government and many big private hospitals are included.
- Visit the Ayushman Desk: Every participating hospital has an “Ayushman Mitra” desk. Show them your Ayushman Card and Aadhaar Card.
- Verification: They will verify your identity via a fingerprint scan or eye scan.
- Cashless Treatment: Once verified, all costs—from surgery to medicines and food—are covered under the ₹5 lakh limit.
Important Documents Checklist:
- ✅ Aadhaar Card (Mandatory for all members)
- ✅ Ration Card (To prove family connection)
- ✅ Income/Caste Certificate (If required for verification)
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Please visit the official PM-JAY website for the latest updates and government guidelines.