Archive · 24 Jul 2026
Govt Clarifies Ayushman Card Eligibility for Small Families
The Indian government has clarified that families with fewer than six members are not automatically ineligible for the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme.
The scheme provides health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.
The government has stated that there is no cap on family size, age, or gender for eligible beneficiary families.
The confusion arose from a separate expansion of the scheme to include all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their socio-economic status.
The scheme currently covers 12 crore economically vulnerable families and has been expanded to include ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and helpers.
Government clarifies no cap on family size, age, or gender for Ayushman Bharat eligibility.
Scheme provides Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.
12 crore economically vulnerable families currently covered under the scheme.
Recent expansion includes ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and senior citizens aged 70+.
Separate expansion for senior citizens aged 70+ regardless of socio-economic status.
- Who
- Government of India, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav
- What
- Clarification on eligibility criteria for Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme
- When
- July 24, 2026
- Where
- Lok Sabha, India
- Why
- To address misinformation about eligibility criteria for Ayushman cards
Media Reports
Government Clarification
Eligibility Criteria
Media Reports
Families with fewer than six members and no member aged 70 or above are ineligible for Ayushman cards.
Government Clarification
There is no cap on family size, age, or gender for eligible beneficiary families under AB-PMJAY.
- Scheme Name
- Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
- Coverage Amount
- Rs 5 lakh per family per year
- Beneficiary Families
- 12 crore economically vulnerable families
- Recent Expansion
- Includes ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and senior citizens aged 70+
- Eligibility Criteria
- No cap on family size, age, or gender for eligible families
- Senior Citizen Coverage
- All citizens aged 70+ eligible regardless of socio-economic status