ABHA Card 2026: Create Online, Download PDF & How It Differs From Ayushman Card
ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is a free 14-digit digital health ID. It lets you store and share your health records with hospitals and labs — but it does not give free treatment by itself.
Process described as on the official ABHA portal run by the National Health Authority under ABDM.
Answer 5–7 simple questions and get your eligibility score in 2 minutes.
Check eligibility now →At a glance
- Cost
- Free
- ID
- 14-digit ABHA number + ABHA address
- Create with
- Aadhaar OTP or driving licence
- Not the same as
- Ayushman (PM-JAY) ₹5 lakh card
What is it?
ABHA is part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Your ABHA number links prescriptions, lab reports and discharge summaries from registered hospitals, so doctors can see your history with your consent.
Benefits
Faster OPD registration by scanning a QR code at participating hospitals, digital storage of reports on apps like ABHA or Aarogya Setu, and consent-based sharing — no one can see your records without your approval.
Eligibility criteria
- ✓Any resident of India, of any age
- ✓Aadhaar with linked mobile, or a driving licence (for the DL route, verification is completed at a facility)
- ✓Children can get ABHA through a parent's account
Documents required
- ✓Aadhaar number and Aadhaar-linked mobile for OTP
- ✓Or driving licence and a mobile number
- ✓No fee and no other documents are needed
How to apply — step by step
- Open abha.abdm.gov.in and click 'Create ABHA Number'
- Choose 'Using Aadhaar' and enter your Aadhaar number, then the OTP
- Enter your mobile number (verify with OTP if different from Aadhaar mobile)
- Create your ABHA address (like name@abdm)
- Download the ABHA card PDF from the profile page or save it in the ABHA app
Important dates
There is no deadline. ABHA can be created any time and is valid for life.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✓Thinking ABHA gives free treatment — only the Ayushman/PM-JAY card does that
- ✓Paying cyber cafés for ABHA — it is free on the official portal
- ✓Creating multiple ABHA numbers with different mobiles
- ✓Sharing OTPs with unknown callers claiming to 'update ABHA'
Frequently asked questions
Is ABHA the same as the Ayushman card?
No. ABHA is a digital health ID for records. The Ayushman card (PM-JAY) gives ₹5 lakh free treatment only to eligible families and seniors aged 70+.
Can I delete my ABHA?
Yes, the portal allows you to deactivate or delete your ABHA number from your profile.
My mobile is not linked with Aadhaar. What can I do?
Use the driving licence option or visit a participating health facility, or first link your mobile at an Aadhaar centre.
Is my health data safe?
Records are shared only with your consent through ABDM's consent manager.
Answer 5–7 simple questions and get your eligibility score in 2 minutes.
Check eligibility now →