Your Complete Guide to the New ₹10 Lakh Free Health Cover & Village Camp Registration
Last Updated: January 26, 2026 | Reading Time: 14 Minutes
Two days ago, something remarkable happened in Punjab. The state government didn't just tweak a health scheme—they completely transformed it. The Punjab Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana just doubled its coverage from ₹5 Lakh to ₹10 Lakh per family, and honestly, this changes everything for millions of families.
I've been covering government health schemes for years, and I can tell you—this is big. Really big.
But here's what makes this different from other government announcements: they've actually thought about how people will get these cards. No more standing in endless queues at Seva Kendras. The government is literally coming to your village doorstep.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know.
Let's be real for a second. When your father needs a heart bypass, or your mother gets diagnosed with cancer, ₹5 Lakh sounds like a lot—until you see the actual hospital bills.
The old ₹5 Lakh limit meant families still had to arrange ₹3-5 Lakhs from somewhere—sell land, take loans, borrow from relatives. The financial stress during a medical crisis was crushing. That gap is now closed. With ₹10 Lakh coverage, even the most expensive treatments in top private hospitals are genuinely within reach for ordinary families.
Here's where Punjab's government actually deserves credit. They've learned from past failures. Remember those stories of people traveling 40-50 km to a CSC, waiting 5 hours in line, only to be told "server down, come tomorrow"? Yeah, they remembered too. That's why they've created a dual-mode system.
Perfect if you live in or near a city and want your card TODAY.
Where to Go:
Any Common Service Center (CSC), Seva Kendra, or government hospital near you.
The Process (Takes 15-20 Minutes):
Cost: Around ₹30 at CSCs (covers printing and processing). Completely free at government hospitals.
This is the innovation that actually matters. Instead of expecting villagers to travel to cities, the government is sending teams to EVERY village in Punjab. They're setting up camps at Panchayat Ghars, Community Centers, and Gurudwaras.
You might wonder—why this specific limit? Here's the practical reality: Each team can make 60 to 80 cards maximum per day. This isn't laziness—it's smart planning.
Why this cap exists:
What This Means For You: GO EARLY! If your village camp is announced, be there by 8-9 AM. The first 60-80 people get their cards.
Punjab has expanded this scheme beyond the standard Ayushman Bharat criteria. You're eligible if you fall into ANY of these categories:
For more specific details on Punjab's implementation, you can check our Ayushman Punjab Guide.
I've seen hundreds of people get rejected because they brought the wrong documents. Here's your foolproof checklist:
| Document | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | MANDATORY. Must be linked to your mobile for OTP. Name/DOB must match. |
| Ration Card | Proves family relationship and eligibility under food security category. |
| Voter ID Card | Backup ID proof if Aadhaar biometric fails (Aadhaar is preferred). |
| Mobile Phone | Essential for receiving the OTP during registration. |
| Passport Photo | Usually taken live via webcam, but keep one ready just in case. |
| Category Proof | J-Form (farmers) or Labour Card (construction workers) if not in Ration Card list. |
This isn't for common fever or cough. This is serious, life-saving healthcare coverage.
Step 1 → Find an Empanelled Hospital: Go to any network hospital (government or private). Find the complete list at healthcardhospitallist.com.
Step 2 → Locate the Ayushman/Sehat Mitra Desk: At the hospital reception, ask for the "Ayushman Mitra" desk.
Step 3 → Show Your Card + Aadhaar: Hand over your Sehat Card and Aadhaar Card to the Mitra.
Step 4 → Verification: They'll check your eligibility and block the estimated treatment amount.
Step 5 → Get Treated: Proceed with your treatment. No cash payment needed.
Step 6 → Discharge: Sign the feedback form and walk out. The hospital handles billing.
It's genuinely ₹10 Lakh now. The upgrade was announced 48 hours ago and is already active. Previous coverage was ₹5 Lakh under Ayushman Bharat, but Punjab has enhanced it to ₹10 Lakh per family per year.
Yes, absolutely. If you're a construction worker (with Labour Card), farmer (with J-Form), or small trader (with Excise registration), you can apply using those documents.
This is an operational limit to ensure quality. Rushing through cards leads to errors and claim rejections. The 60-80 cap ensures your biometric data is captured correctly. Arrive early!
Yes! Since this is integrated with the National Ayushman Bharat network, your Punjab Sehat Card works at ANY empanelled hospital across India.
At CSCs, there's a nominal processing fee of around ₹30. At government hospitals and village camps, it's completely FREE.
No. This scheme covers only hospitalization where you're admitted for at least 24 hours. Regular OPD checkups are not covered.
It's ₹10 Lakh TOTAL for the entire family per year. But there is no limit on family size—all members are covered.
I've watched government schemes come and go. Some are all hype, no substance. But this one? This actually delivers. The ₹10 Lakh coverage isn't theoretical—it's real money that pays for real surgeries. The village camp model ensures accessibility.
Here's what you should do right now:
Don't wait for a medical emergency to hit. Get registered. Get protected. ₹10 Lakhs of health security is waiting for you.
This guide is based on official government notifications and ground reports as of January 26, 2026. For the latest updates, always verify with official sources.