Who is Eligible for Ayushman Card? A Simple Guide (2025)

The Most Important Question: "Am I Eligible?"

The Ayushman Bharat PMJAY scheme offers a life-changing ₹5 lakh health cover, but the most pressing question for millions of Indians is: "Is my family eligible for it?" The eligibility criteria can seem complex, leading to confusion and misinformation. Unlike other schemes where you can simply apply, Ayushman Bharat eligibility is pre-determined by the government.

This guide will demystify the entire process. We will break down the official eligibility criteria in simple, easy-to-understand language. We'll cover both the central government's list and how various states have expanded the scheme to include more families. After reading this, you will have a clear understanding of who is eligible and why.

The Two Main Paths to Ayushman Eligibility

There are two primary ways a family becomes eligible for the Ayushman Bharat scheme:

1. The National List: Based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011.
2. State-Level Expansions: Based on criteria set by individual state governments.

Let's break down each of these in detail.

1. The National List: SECC 2011 Database

The foundation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme is the data from the Socio-Economic Caste Census conducted in 2011. The government uses this data to identify poor and vulnerable families. The criteria are different for rural and urban areas.

For Rural Areas: Deprivation Criteria (D1 to D7)

In rural areas, a family is automatically included if they fall into any of the six specified deprivation categories (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D7). These are:

• Households with only one room with kutcha walls and kutcha roof.
• Households with no adult member between ages 16 and 59.
• Female-headed households with no adult male member between ages 16 and 59.
• Households with a disabled member and no able-bodied adult member.
• SC/ST households.
• Landless households deriving a major part of their income from manual casual labour.

Additionally, households with no house, those living on alms (destitutes/beggars), manual scavengers, primitive tribal groups, and legally released bonded labourers are also automatically included.

For Urban Areas: Occupational Criteria

In urban areas, eligibility is based on the occupation of the main breadwinner. The scheme covers 11 specific occupational categories of workers:

• Rag picker / Beggar
• Domestic worker
• Street vendor / Cobbler / Hawker / Other service provider working on streets
• Construction worker / Plumber / Mason / Labour / Painter / Welder / Security guard
• Coolie and another head-load worker
• Sweeper / Sanitation worker / Mali
• Home-based worker / Artisan / Handicrafts worker / Tailor
• Transport worker / Driver / Conductor / Cart puller / Rickshaw puller
• Shop worker / Assistant / Peon in a small establishment / Helper / Delivery assistant / Attendant / Waiter
• Electrician / Mechanic / Assembler / Repair worker
• Washer-man / Chowkidar

2. State-Level Expansions: Covering the "Missing Middle"

Since the SECC 2011 data is old, many states have launched their own schemes or expanded Ayushman Bharat to cover more families. This is the most common way for families not on the central list to get benefits. As we discussed in our Ayushman vs. State Schemes comparison, these state initiatives are crucial.

• In states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, all or specific types of **Ration Card holders** are now eligible.
• In Rajasthan, the Chiranjeevi scheme covers **every single family** in the state.
• In Madhya Pradesh, **Sambal Card holders** and families with food security slips are included.

Therefore, even if you are not on the SECC 2011 list, you must check your state's specific eligibility rules.

Conclusion: How to Be Sure

The only 100% accurate way to know your status is to check the official database. You can do this by visiting the official beneficiary portal or by visiting an Ayushman Mitra at an empanelled hospital. If you are not on the list, don't be disheartened—immediately check the rules of your state's own health scheme.