What You Need Before Starting
Before launching the portal or app, make sure you have the following items ready to avoid session timeouts during authentication:
Family Entitlement Proof
Your 12-digit Aadhaar Number, State Ration Card ID, or PM-JAY Family ID.
Aadhaar-Linked Mobile Phone
An active mobile number linked to Aadhaar to receive the 6-digit verification security code (OTP).
Smartphone with Camera
An Android smartphone with a working front camera for face authentication if mobile OTP is unavailable.
Use any mobile number to log in. But OTP for verification will come only on the Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
e-KYC checks your identity so the card is made for the correct family member and is not used by someone else.
Quick Summary: How to Complete e-KYC on Your Mobile Phone
If your family name is already included in the government beneficiary list, you can complete verification directly from your smartphone:
- Download Apps: Install Ayushman App and AadhaarFaceRD from Google Play Store.
- Log In: Select Beneficiary mode and log in with your mobile number and OTP.
- Find Family Record: Search by State, District, and your Aadhaar Number or Ration Card ID.
- Start e-KYC: Tap the e-KYC button beside the unverified family member's name.
- Verify Identity: Select Face Auth or Aadhaar OTP and follow the on-screen prompt to take a live selfie.
- Instant Approval: If your photo match score is 80% or higher, your card is approved and ready to download immediately.
3 Ways to Complete e-KYC
The National Health Authority offers three official verification channels. Choose the method that works best for you:
Method 1: Ayushman Mobile App (Face Authentication)
This is the quickest method for smartphones because it uses your phone camera for face authentication without needing an external fingerprint device.
- Install Ayushman App and AadhaarFaceRD from Google Play Store.
- Open the Ayushman App, choose Beneficiary, enter your mobile number, and log in with OTP.
- Select your State, Scheme (PMJAY), District, and search using your Aadhaar Number or Ration Card ID.
- Locate the family member marked unverified and click e-KYC.
- Select Face Auth. Keep your face steady in bright room lighting and blink once when prompted.
- Review your photo match percentage score, complete your address details, and click Submit.
Method 2: Official Web Portal (beneficiary.nha.gov.in)
Ideal if you are accessing the internet from a laptop or desktop computer using Aadhaar OTP verification.
- Visit the official portal at beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
- Select Beneficiary login, enter your mobile number, click Verify, and enter the OTP.
- Select your State, District, and search for your household record using your Aadhaar Number or Family ID.
- Click the e-KYC icon next to the unverified family member.
- Select Aadhaar OTP, agree to authentication terms, and enter the security codes received on your phone.
- Upload a clear photograph, enter your current postal pincode, and click Submit.
Method 3: CSC Center Kiosk or Hospital Helpdesk
Recommended for elderly citizens, individuals with worn fingerprints, or those without active mobile numbers linked to Aadhaar.
- Visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC / Jan Seva Kendra) or the Ayushman Mitra helpdesk at a government hospital.
- Bring your original physical Aadhaar card and Ration Card.
- The authorized operator will authenticate your identity using a biometric fingerprint scanner or iris scanner.
- Once verified, the operator will process your card application in the official government system.
Understanding the 80% Photo Match Rule
The National Health Authority uses an automated photo matching algorithm to compare your live selfie with your original Aadhaar record.
Instant Automatic Approval
When your live selfie closely matches your official Aadhaar photo, the computer system approves your application automatically within seconds. Your status changes to Approved and your card becomes available for download.
Manual Review by District Officer
If shadows, poor lighting, or aging cause the match score to drop below 80%, the application is forwarded to the District Health Verification Officer for manual review. This process typically takes 3 to 10 working days.
Simple Rules for a High Match Score on First Attempt
- Good Lighting: Stand facing a window or light source. Avoid dark shadows or bright backlighting behind your head.
- Clear Face: Remove caps, sunglasses, or head coverings that obscure your eyes or eyebrows.
- Plain Background: Stand in front of a clean, plain wall to ensure sharp focus on facial features.
- Natural Expression: Keep your head centered at eye level and blink naturally when prompted by the app camera.
How to Check Your e-KYC Status
You can track the verification status of your Ayushman Card at any time:
- Log in to beneficiary.nha.gov.in or open the Ayushman App.
- Search for your family record using your State, District, and Aadhaar or Ration Card number.
- Check the status badge displayed next to each family member:
- Green (Approved): Verification is complete. Click the download icon to save your digital health card PDF.
- Yellow (Pending): The application is undergoing manual review by a district health official.
- Red (Unverified): e-KYC has not been submitted yet. Click the e-KYC button to start verification.
Fixing Pending Applications & Common Errors
If your application status is stuck or you encounter errors, follow these steps to resolve them:
When to Use "Redo e-KYC"
Redo e-KYC is an official feature inside the portal and app that lets you submit fresh verification details. Use it if:
- Your application status has been stuck in Pending Approval for more than 15 days.
- Your application was rejected due to an unclear photo upload.
- You recently updated your name or address in official Aadhaar records.
Common Issues and What to Do
Official Ayushman and Aadhaar help content usually keeps this simple: check the detail causing the issue, then try the next working method.
If Aadhaar OTP is not coming
This often happens when the mobile number linked to Aadhaar is old or inactive. In that case, open the Ayushman App and complete e-KYC with Face Auth instead of waiting for OTP.
If the camera or face scan is not working
Check that AadhaarFaceRD is installed and that camera permission is turned on in your phone settings. After that, reopen the app and try the scan again in good lighting.
If your beneficiary record is not showing
First recheck your State and District. If Aadhaar search still shows no result, try searching with your Ration Card ID or the family head's name, which is also recommended in PM-JAY beneficiary search guidance.
Online App vs Local Kiosk Comparison
| Feature | Self-Service Mobile / Web | CSC Kiosk / Hospital Helpdesk |
|---|---|---|
| Service Fee | 100% Free | Free (Nominal charge if requesting physical plastic card print) |
| Time Required | 3 to 5 minutes at home | 15 to 30 minutes (subject to local queue) |
| Verification Method | Aadhaar OTP or Mobile Face Scan | Biometric Fingerprint, Iris Scan, or OTP |
| Best Suited For | Smartphone users with active Aadhaar connection | Elderly citizens or individuals without linked mobile numbers |
| Card Download | Direct PDF download to phone or computer | PDF download or printed plastic card assistance |
Important Rules & Card Limitations
To use your health card effectively during medical emergencies, keep these key operational rules in mind:
- Empanelled Hospitals Only: Card benefits apply only at government and private hospitals officially empanelled under the PM-JAY network.
- Inpatient Hospitalization (24-Hour Stay): Coverage applies to treatments requiring hospital admission for 24 hours or longer (Inpatient Care). Routine outpatient clinic visits (OPD) are not covered.
- Pre-Listed Eligibility: New cards are issued to households pre-listed in government beneficiary databases (SECC / Ration Card lists). Senior citizens aged 70+ have an active enrollment option.
- Pre-Authorization Requirement: Certain specialized surgical procedures require digital pre-authorization approval from health department officers before hospital admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Download the 'Ayushman App' and the official 'AadhaarFaceRD' app from Google Play Store. Log in as a Beneficiary using any working mobile number. Search for your family details by State, District, and Aadhaar or Ration Card number. Click the e-KYC button next to the unverified family member, choose Face Auth, and take a clear selfie in bright lighting. If your photo match score is 80% or higher, your card is approved immediately.
Yes, Aadhaar-based e-KYC is required by the National Health Authority (NHA) to confirm your identity. Until e-KYC is completed, your card remains in an unverified state and cannot be downloaded, printed, or used for hospital treatment.
Log in to the official beneficiary.nha.gov.in portal or the Ayushman App, enter your search details, and view the status badge next to your name. Green indicates Approved, Yellow means Pending Approval by a district health officer, and Red means Unverified.
A Pending Approval status means your selfie photo match score was slightly below 80%. Your application has been sent for manual review by a district verification officer. Verification usually takes 3 to 7 working days. If it remains stuck after 15 days, you can submit a new photo using the Redo e-KYC feature.
Redo e-KYC is an official feature that allows you to re-submit your verification details. Use it if your application was rejected, stuck in pending status for over 15 days, or if your name or photo details in Aadhaar have changed.
You cannot submit a fresh application unless your household is listed in the official welfare databases (such as SECC 2011 or state Ration Card lists). However, senior citizens aged 70 and above can register under expanded government eligibility guidelines.
No. Completing e-KYC online via the Ayushman App or official portal is completely free of cost. Government-approved hospital helpdesks and CSC kiosks also assist citizens following standard government guidelines.
The Ayushman Card provides up to 5 Lakh Rupees per year per family for treatments requiring hospital admission for 24 hours or longer (Inpatient Care) at government-approved hospitals. It does not cover routine clinic visits or outpatient checkups (OPD).