For years, millions of West Bengal families were left out of India’s biggest health insurance programme. That wait is finally over. In his very first cabinet meeting on May 11, 2026, newly sworn-in Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari officially cleared the rollout of Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) in West Bengal — a landmark moment for the state’s healthcare future.
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Ayushman Bharat in West Bengal 2026: Key Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) |
| Health Cover | Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year |
| Treatment Type | Cashless, at govt & empanelled private hospitals |
| Eligibility Basis | SECC 2011 data (economically weaker families) |
| Application Portal | beneficiary.nha.gov.in |
| Helpline | 14555 |
| Documents Needed | Aadhaar card, Ration card |
Why This Is a Big Deal for Bengal
The cabinet approved the immediate implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in West Bengal, formally ending years of deadlock between the state and Centre over the health programme. The Health Secretary and officials from the Chief Minister’s Office have been directed to begin all necessary formalities, including agreements with the Union Health Ministry.
The health insurance scheme, considered one of the Centre’s flagship welfare programmes, had not been implemented in Bengal under the previous government. The BJP government said the scheme would now provide healthcare coverage benefits to lakhs of families across the state.
In simple terms — if you’re a low-income family in Bengal, free healthcare worth ₹5 lakh a year is now within your reach.
How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Card in West Bengal?
The eligibility is based on 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data, and the scheme is meant for poor and economically weaker families. Here’s the step-by-step process: visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in, log in with your mobile number and OTP, select West Bengal and the PM-JAY scheme, search your name using your Aadhaar or Ration Card number, complete eKYC verification, and then download your Ayushman Card directly to your phone.
You can also walk into any nearby Common Service Centre (CSC) or empanelled hospital to apply offline with your Aadhaar card.
For more Bengal government scheme updates and how they affect you, stay tuned to TechnoSports’ West Bengal news coverage and our latest India policy and welfare updates.
Documents Required for Ayushman Card
Before you begin, keep these documents handy. The process is smooth when you’re prepared.
| # | Document | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aadhaar Card / PAN Card | Age & Identity Proof |
| 2 | Utility Bill / Rental Agreement | Proof of Address |
| 3 | Caste Certificate | Eligibility Verification |
| 4 | Mobile Number & Email ID | OTP-based Communication |
| 5 | Income Certificate | Economic Status Verification |
Pro Tip: Your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is essential — multiple OTPs will be sent during registration. Make sure it’s active.
How to Register for Ayushman Card Online — Step-by-Step
The registration process is entirely digital. Follow these 11 steps carefully:
Step 1: Visit the Official PMJAY Portal
Go to https://pmjay.gov.in/ — the official government website. Avoid third-party sites claiming to register on your behalf.
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility First
On the homepage, click the “Am I Eligible” button in the top navigation menu. This is your gateway to finding out if your family qualifies under the scheme before investing any further time.
Step 3: Verify Your Mobile Number
Enter your mobile number and the captcha code displayed on screen. You’ll receive an OTP — enter it to verify your identity. This step confirms you’re a real user and keeps the process secure.
Step 4: Log In to the Portal
After OTP verification, re-enter the captcha and click the “Login” button to access your personalised dashboard.
Step 5: Search for Your Beneficiary Record
This is where you locate your family’s registration in the system:
- Select your State
- Under “Sub Scheme,” choose PMJAY
- Enter your District
- Choose how to search — by Name, Ration Card Number, Mobile Number, or Aadhaar Number
- Fill in the required details and click “Search”
If your name appears in results, your family is eligible. 🎉
Also Read: How to Apply for Ration Card Online in India
Step 6: Initiate Your e-KYC
Once your record is found, click the “Do e-KYC” button next to your name. e-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) is a paperless identity verification required to issue your digital health card.
Step 7: Authenticate via Aadhaar OTP
Select the “Aadhaar OTP” authentication option and click “Verify.” An OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar card.
Step 8: Give Consent and Complete Verification
- Tick the consent checkbox and click “Allow”
- Enter the Aadhaar OTP received on your linked mobile
- Enter the mobile OTP as well
- Click Submit
Once both OTPs are verified, you’ll see a confirmation message: “e-KYC Completed Successfully.”
Step 9: Wait 15–20 Minutes, Then Log Back In
After e-KYC, the system needs a few minutes to process your information. Wait 15–20 minutes, then log back into the PMJAY portal. Your card will be ready to download.
Step 10: Click “Download Card” and Re-authenticate
On your dashboard, click the “Download Card” option. You’ll be asked to verify your identity once more — select “Aadhaar OTP” and click “Verify.”
Step 11: Enter OTPs and Download Your Card
Tick the consent checkbox, click “Allow,” then enter both the Aadhaar OTP and mobile OTP. Finally, click the download icon — your Ayushman Card PDF will be saved to your device. Print it or save it digitally — both are accepted at hospitals
Registration at a Glance
| Stage | Action |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Visit pmjay.gov.in → “Am I Eligible” |
| Login | Mobile OTP verification |
| Search | Find your record by name/Aadhaar/mobile |
| e-KYC | Aadhaar OTP authentication |
| Download | Re-authenticate → Download PDF card |
What the Scheme Covers
The scheme covers nearly 24 specialities, including super-speciality care like neurosurgery, oncology, and cardio-thoracic surgery, along with surgeons’ fees, anaesthesia, OT charges, blood transfusion, oxygen, surgical appliances, and pathology and radiology tests such as MRI, X-ray, and CT scans.
According to Wikipedia’s overview of Ayushman Bharat, the scheme is one of the world’s largest government-funded healthcare programmes, covering over 10 crore vulnerable families across India.
FAQs
Q: Do West Bengal residents need to re-register if they already had a Swasthya Sathi card?
Existing Swasthya Sathi holders may need to check eligibility separately at beneficiary.nha.gov.in, as PM-JAY runs on central SECC 2011 data distinct from the state scheme.
Q: Is the ₹5 lakh Ayushman Bharat cover per person or per family?
The cover is per family per year — meaning the entire family shares the ₹5 lakh annual health insurance benefit across all treatments.
