ABHA Card Eligibility 2026: Kaun Bana Sakta Hai? Age Limit, Documents & Full Rules
The ABHA card (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is India’s digital health ID — a free 14-digit number that stores your prescriptions, lab reports, and hospital records in one place. But who is actually allowed to get one? The short answer is good news: almost every Indian resident is eligible, and the process takes a few minutes.
This guide covers the exact eligibility rules, the documents you need, special cases like children and senior citizens, and the common myths that confuse people.
Quick Answer: Who Can Get an ABHA Card?
You are eligible if you meet these simple conditions:
- You are an Indian citizen / resident of India
- You have an Aadhaar card (preferred) or a driving licence
- You have an active mobile number to receive OTPs
That is it. There is no age limit, no income limit, and no caste or category restriction. Creating the card is free and voluntary — nobody is forced to make one.
ABHA Card Eligibility Criteria in Detail
| Requirement | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Any Indian citizen / resident of India can apply |
| Age | No minimum, no maximum — newborns, children, adults, and senior citizens are all eligible |
| Income | No income limit and no income proof needed |
| Caste / category | No restriction of any kind |
| ID proof | Aadhaar card (fastest) or driving licence |
| Mobile number | Must be active — OTP verification is mandatory during signup |
| Consent | You agree to the verification terms during registration |
| Cost | ₹0 — completely free |
Documents Required for ABHA Card
You need only one of these:
- Aadhaar card + Aadhaar-linked mobile number — the fastest method. OTP comes to your linked number and verification is instant.
- Driving licence — works as the alternate ID if you do not have Aadhaar or your mobile is not linked.
You do not need: income certificate, ration card, address proof, caste certificate, or photographs. If any website or agent asks for these for ABHA creation, be cautious.
Special Cases
Children and newborns: Parents or legal guardians can create an ABHA for a child of any age, including newborns. The parent completes verification on the child’s behalf.
Senior citizens: Fully eligible — there is no upper age limit. Many hospitals now ask for ABHA at registration, so it is genuinely useful for older patients with long treatment histories.
No Aadhaar or mobile not linked: Use the driving-licence method on the official portal, or visit an ABDM-linked hospital where staff can create your ABHA with assisted verification.
Name spelling differs across documents: Always use the details exactly as they appear on your Aadhaar (or driving licence, if that is your chosen ID). Mismatches are the most common reason for failed verification.
What ABHA Eligibility Is NOT — Clear the Confusion
This is where most people get misled, so read carefully:
ABHA card is NOT the Ayushman card. The ABHA card is a digital health ID — it stores and shares your health records. By itself it gives no free treatment and no insurance. Free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year comes from the PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat) scheme, which has its own separate eligibility rules — and you can link your ABHA with PM-JAY if you qualify. Read our full comparison: ABHA Card vs Ayushman Card.
No income proof needed. Do not confuse ABHA with Ayushman/PM-JAY eligibility (which uses SECC family criteria). For ABHA alone, income is irrelevant.
Not mandatory. Creating an ABHA is voluntary. It is increasingly useful — hospitals, labs, and insurance claim processes accept it — but no one can force you to make one.
How Your Eligibility Is Verified (During Registration)
Verification happens automatically when you sign up — there is no separate “eligibility check” step:
- You enter your Aadhaar number (or driving licence) on the official portal.
- An OTP arrives on your linked mobile number.
- Your details (name, date of birth, gender) are confirmed.
- You create your ABHA address (like yourname@abdm) and set a password.
- Your 14-digit ABHA number is generated instantly.
Full walkthrough here: ABHA Card Registration — Step by Step. After creating it, you can download your ABHA card as a PDF.
What is the age limit for an ABHA card?
There is none. Newborns, children, adults, and senior citizens can all get an ABHA. Parents create it on behalf of minor children.
Can a newborn baby get an ABHA card?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian completes the registration for the child using the parent’s verification.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for an ABHA card?
Aadhaar is the preferred and fastest method, but it is not the only one — you can also register using a driving licence.
Is there any income limit for the ABHA card?
No. There is no income limit and no income document is required — unlike the Ayushman (PM-JAY) scheme, which has its own criteria.
Is the ABHA card free?
Yes, creating and using an ABHA is completely free. There is no application fee.
Does the ABHA card give free hospital treatment?
No. The ABHA card itself is only a digital health ID for storing and sharing records. Free treatment up to ₹5 lakh comes from PM-JAY, which is a separate scheme you may link with your ABHA.
Kya ABHA card banana zaroori hai?
Nahi — ABHA banana voluntary hai, mandatory nahi. Lekin hospitals aur labs me kaam aata hai, isliye bana lena faydemand hai.
Can I delete my ABHA later?
Yes. You can deactivate or delete your ABHA from the official portal‘s My Account section, and reactivation is possible.
This is an independent guide. abhacardbenefits.com is not the official website of the Government of India or the National Health Authority. For official services, visit abha.abdm.gov.in. Helpline: 1800-11-4477 (toll-free).
