The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) introduced the Ayushman Bharat Health Account, also known as the ABHA card. The ABHA card comprises a 14-digit health ID that allows people to store their health-related data, like prescriptions, diagnostic reports, treatment history, etc. This has been created by the government to help people take care of their medical records, as traditional paper-based copies are hard to keep. This database can be accessed by various healthcare providers, which eliminates the need to carry numerous documents to the doctor’s office.

The ABHA card is a modern initiative launched by the government of India in line with its Digital Bharat Mission to revolutionise India’s healthcare infrastructure and enable interoperability between hospitals, clinics, labs, and insurance providers. Along with safe storage of medical records, the interface of ABHA also allows people to book medical appointments and access telemedicine services in an organised way. It also helps the doctors and other medical professionals in making an informed diagnosis with the help of all the patient’s information in one place.

The table below summarises some key details about the Health ID card India that one should know.

Name of the card	ABHA card
Full form	Ayushman Bharat Health Account
Launched under	Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
Launched in	2021
Purpose	To allow people to create a digital health ID and store all their medical records in one unified and secure platform.
ABHA number	A unique 14-digit health ID.
Eligibility condition	All individuals must be Indian citizens.
Any age limit?	No age limit (minors also allowed with the help of their guardians).
Mode of application	Online and offline
Documents required	Proof of identity, like an Aadhaar card or a Driving License.
Cost	Completely free of cost.
Is it mandatory to apply for an ABHA card?	No, it is completely voluntary to apply for an ABHA card

The eligibility criteria for the ABHA card are simple and do not require one to fulfill a lot of conditions. The conditions of eligibility and some things to note are mentioned below for one’s reference:

• Applicants who would like to have an ABHA card must be citizens or residents of India.

• There is no minimum or maximum age limit set for possessing a valid ABHA ID or card. From infants to the elderly, everyone can have an ABHA card.

• Please note that each individual can only have one ABHA ID and number for their entire lives. This prevents duplication and cases of identity theft and ensures that all the medical records of an individual are linked to a single profile in a huge database.

People can apply for an ABHA card through both ABHA Card apply online and offline platforms, as per their preference and ease. We have explained both the processes in detail and all the ways that each of the modes provides for one’s better understanding.

Step 1: Please visit the official website of Jaagruk Bharat.

Step 2: Find the ‘services’ option, and navigate to the ‘ABHA Card’ option.

Step 3: Fill in the requested information and upload the required documents.

Step 4: Make the payment and complete the application process, and then let us take care of the rest.

Step 1: Please visit the official website of the ABDM portal.

Step 2: Navigate to the option of ‘Aadhaar-based ABHA registration’. It is the quickest way as one’s identity-related details are verified instantly.

Step 3: Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar card number and ensure it is linked to your mobile number so that you can complete the OT-based authentication.

Step 4: After the system verifies your identity-related details, the application form will automatically be filled from your Aadhaar records. Check once and fill in the information that is pending.

Step 5: The system will ask you to create your own ABHA ID (like your mail ID), later used for logging in purposes. Recheck the filled details, after which the system will generate your 14-digit health ID.

Step 1: Please visit the official website of the ABDM portal.

Step 2: Enter your Driving License Number and other relevant details needed for identity verification.

Step 3: The system will verify your details, and if the details match, you will receive your temporary ABHA number, which will be changed to a permanent one later on.

Step 4: The system will require you to complete extra Know Your Customer (KYC) verification with the help of your Aadhaar or other forms of identity. After which, you can create your ABHA ID, and after completing verification, you can begin using your ABHA card.

Step 1: Please complete the ABHA app download on your mobile device. The application is available for both Android and iOS operating systems.

Step 2: Open the application on your mobile and then create a new ABHA account.

Step 3: You will be required to register either using your Aadhaar card or your Driving License. Choose one based on your preference, fill in the details like the Aadhaar card number or the details of your driving license, and validate using the OTP received on your registered phone number.

Step 4: After this, the app will ask you to create your ABHA ID and password to secure your account, and after complete verification, your 14-digit health ID will be generated.

Individuals can also opt for the ABHA card offline apply procedure by following the steps mentioned below for one’s clarity:

Step 1: Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) that has been established to help people figure out government-related schemes and services. One can also apply for an ABHA card via an ABHA-registered hospital (public or private) or an Aadhaar Seva Kendra.

Step 2: Request the employee working at the CSC, an ABHA-registered hospital, or an Aadhaar Seva Kendra to help you in applying for an Ayushman Bharat Health Account card.

Step 3: Fill in the application form carefully and accurately, including your name, address, date of birth, gender, etc.

Step 4: Provide your Aadhaar card-related details or details of other measures of identity. Ensure that the information you provided is correct and accurate.

Step 5: Complete the verification either through OTP-based verification or through biometric-based authentication.

Step 6: Inform the employees working at the said establishments about the ABHA address of your choice. Wait for a couple of minutes for the verification to get completed, after which the system will generate your 14-digit health ID. Keep the electronic card with you for convenience.

Individuals need to attach very few supporting documents to complete the application process for an ABHA card. The list of required documents is as follows:

• Proof of identity, like an Aadhaar card or a Driving License

• Contact-related information

The ABHA Card download process can be completed in a couple of minutes. Under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), people are encouraged to adopt the digital measures as it is not only convenient but also extra secure compared to the traditional paper-based ABHA card. The steps of downloading the digital copy of one’s ABHA card are as follows:

Step 1: Please visit the official website of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) portal or the mobile application.

Step 2: Log in using your set ABHA ID and password, or you can log in using your 14-digit ABHA number as well. Validate using the OTP, which will be sent to your registered mobile number.

Step 3: After logging in, find the option concerning ’Download ABHA Card’. Click on it, after which the soft copy of your ABHA card will be downloaded to your device in a PDF format.

Applicants can also check the status of their ABHA card applications by following an online procedure. The process is broken down in steps below for one’s better understanding:

Step 1: Please visit the official website of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) portal or the mobile application of ABHA.

Step 2: Log in using your set ABHA ID and password, or you can log in using your 14-digit ABHA number as well. Validate using the OTP, which will be sent to your registered mobile number.

Step 3: After logging in, if you can see your ABHA card-related details and the health records section, then you know that your ABHA is active and verified.

There are numerous differences between the PM-JAY ABHA card, wherein PM-JAY represents the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana under which the Ayushman Card is issued. The differences are mentioned below in a tabular format:

Component	ABHA Card	Ayushman Bharat Card
Full form	Ayushman Bharat Health Account	Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) card
Launched under	Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).	Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
Purpose	An electronic health ID is created to store and access medical records.	This is a health insurance scheme wherein beneficiaries can access completely free of cost treatment at registered hospitals.
Main benefit	Helps hospitals in accessing patients’ medical records digitally.	Allows beneficiaries to enjoy free medical treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family every year.
Income limit	No income limit as such.	Only available for people from the economically backward section of society.
Any financial benefits?	No monetary benefits.	Allows people to avail themselves of free medical treatment, including hospitalisation, surgeries, medications, etc.
Form of card	Digital only.	Physical and digital.
Used by?	Hospitals, clinics, labs.	Registered hospitals with the scheme for free treatment (amount paid by the government).

One should and must opt for the services provided by Jaagruk Bharat because of some key reasons:

• Digitised Process: Jaagruk Bharat is an online platform that lets you apply for an ABHA ID Card from home. The process of application is fully digitised; you will not need to visit any government or private offices or departments, or stand in long queues. Please be assured that the platform utilises highly secure, verified, and encrypted channels to protect your sensitive personal information. This not only reduces paperwork but also saves time and unnecessary effort.

• Direction: Proper guidance is one of the most common challenges when applying for services or other activities, such as applying for an Ayushman Bharat Health Account. Hence, the platform provides clear instructions that eliminate doubt and confusion about the application process, enabling users from all backgrounds to understand and follow them.

• Enhances ease: A smooth user experience is a core principle of Jaagruk Bharat. In a few steps and with basic information, Jaagruk Bharat will help you complete complex tasks like the ABHA card online apply process. All we need from you is a few basic details. Our interface is extremely easy to navigate and figure out.

• Assistance team: Our platform has a dedicated assistance team available via chat to address questions related to an ABHA Card. The assistance team is trained to handle both technical and process-related questions so that none of you feel stuck or more confused.

• Fair charges: Affordability and transparency are seeped into our foundations. Services provided by Jaagruk Bharat, such as ABHA Card PVC order, are offered at affordable prices so everyone can access our services without worrying about high costs.

An Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) Card is a boon in today’s modern and digitised world. It is a unique card that offers several benefits not only to individuals but also to authorities. Some of the key ABHA card benefits are described below for one’s reference:

• One of the major and most popular advantages of having an ABHA ID or card is the digital storage it provides for one’s medical records and important health-related documents, including lab results, discharge information, medications, and diagnostic reports. This eliminates the need to physically keep and carry documents which are exposed to various risks, like damage.

• People often lose their testing reports, which is the primary reason why, at times, they have to do the same tests again at different hospitals, which is not only burdensome but very expensive. With the help of the ABHA platform, medical professionals can easily access past testing reports of people, which not only saves money but time and effort, too.

• The ABHA card works across all hospitals and related settings in India. So it doesn’t matter whether you change your hospital or visit a different specialist in a different state, the ABHA will work fine and seamlessly as usual. This is especially useful for people who switch jobs or those who travel frequently for whatever reason.

• The information stored in the ABHA database provides a complete medical picture, like past health conditions, allergies, medications taken, and treatments an individual went through, to doctors and other medical professionals so that they can make an informed medical judgement and the patient can benefit from it.

• The digital platform of ABHA is not easily accessible to anyone at any time. ABHA strictly works on a consent-based system, which means that no doctor, other medical professional, or hospital can access your records without your prior permission and approval. It is completely in the account holder’s hands to allow who sees what and for how long.

• Along with proper storage of medical information, the digital platform of ABHA also allows people to set up and schedule appointments, access digital prescriptions, and use telemedicine services. This eliminates the need to wait in long queues to receive care from a professional and keeps things organised for the professionals, too.

Eligible people must have an ABHA Card, as it helps not only them but the authorities as well. People who don’t have an ABHA Card will be missing out on a lot of necessary features that one can use for enhanced convenience, such as easy tracking of one’s medication or future prescriptions, and quick sharing of medical history with medical professionals.

Some of the consequences or disadvantages that one might have to face in the absence of an ABHA card are as follows:

• People who do not have an ABHA card will have scattered health records spread across various hospitals and clinics. This is not only chaotic but also the primary reason behind lost prescriptions, damaged or lost medical reports, making one’s medical history incomplete and inadequate, which adversely affects the quality and accuracy of the medical treatment one receives.

• When one does not keep a record of the past tests they went through, every new doctor or hospital will ask you to take them again. This is not only physically exhausting and time-consuming but also excessively financially burdening.

• The main thing that ABHA does is that it helps people keep their medical records safely without much hassle. This helps medical professionals greatly, but in the absence of such a database, doctors have to start all over again and work with incomplete medical records of a patient, all of which takes a lot of time for proper diagnosis. This can also lead to a wrong diagnosis, which can worsen the present health condition of a patient.

• In line with the Digital Bharat Mission, the government is working on shifting its operations to electronic alternatives. With no access to ABHA, you will have to face limitations in accessing various medical services, like online consultations, smooth appointment systems, etc.