Central government scheme · All India (for eligible families)
Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) Maternity Benefits
₹5 lakh a year family health cover that includes maternity and newborn care.
Headline benefit
₹5 lakh/year family health cover
- Administered by
- National Health Authority, Government of India
- Coverage
- All India (for eligible families)
- Cover
- ₹5 lakh / family / year
- Premium
- ₹0
- Helpline
- 14555
- Official sources onlyFigures cited from government portals
- Verified 9 July 2026Amounts change — confirm on the portal
- Educational guidanceNot legal or financial advice
Last verified 9 July 2026 · Amounts and rules can change — confirm current details on the official portal before applying.
Overview
What is Ayushman Bharat?
Ayushman Bharat has two arms. Health & Wellness Centres — now Ayushman Arogya Mandir — provide free antenatal check-ups and basic maternal care close to home. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) gives eligible families health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation.
Under PM-JAY, maternity and newborn care — normal delivery, caesarean section, high-risk pregnancy management and neonatal care packages — are covered cashless at empanelled public and private hospitals, with no premium to pay.
Because a normal delivery is already free at public facilities under JSSK, PM-JAY maternity cover is especially valuable for complicated pregnancies, or when you choose an empanelled private hospital.
What you get
Benefits
₹5 lakh cover per year
₹5 lakh
Per family, per year, for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.
Cashless hospitalisation
At empanelled public and private hospitals — no upfront payment.
Maternity & delivery packages
Including caesarean and high-risk pregnancy care (package list varies by state).
Newborn care packages
Neonatal care for sick newborns.
Free antenatal care
At Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Health & Wellness Centres) — check-ups, iron-folic acid, and more.
The money
Financial assistance available
| Annual family coverPer family, per year, cashless. | ₹5,00,000 |
|---|---|
| Maternity / delivery packagesAt empanelled hospitals; package rates set by NHA / state. | Covered |
| Newborn / neonatal packages | Covered |
| Premium payable by you | ₹0 |
Who qualifies
Eligibility
Quick self-check
Am I eligible?
Tick the statements that apply to you. This is a self-check to help you understand Ayushman Bharat — it is not an eligibility decision. The official portal is the final authority.
Who is not eligible
- Families not on the eligible beneficiary list — though many states have expanded coverage, so always verify before assuming you're excluded.
What to gather
Required documents
Ayushman cardRequired
Or an eligibility confirmation.
Aadhaar cardRequired
Ration card / family IDRequired
For eligibility verification.
Registered mobile numberRequired
Step by step
How to apply
Ways to apply
- Online — pmjay.gov.in / Ayushman app
- At a Common Service Centre (CSC)
- At an empanelled hospital's Ayushman desk
- Helpline — 14555
Check if you're eligible
FirstUse ‘Am I Eligible’ on pmjay.gov.in or call 14555, with your mobile, ration card, or Aadhaar details.
Get your Ayushman card
Before you need careAt an empanelled hospital, a Common Service Centre (CSC), or via the Ayushman app.
Use cashless care
At hospitalisationShow your Ayushman card at the Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitra desk in any empanelled hospital.
Confirm the maternity package
Before admissionAsk the Arogya Mitra whether your delivery/maternity procedure is on the state's covered package list before admission.
Don't miss these
Important deadlines
Cover renewal
The ₹5 lakh limit resets each policy year
Card generation
Do it before you need care to avoid delays
Take it with you
Download your application checklist
A ready-to-use list of the documents to gather and the steps to follow for Ayushman Bharat. Save it, print it, or take it to your Anganwadi Centre, hospital, or employer.
Avoid these
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until an emergency to generate your Ayushman card — create it in advance.
- Going to a non-empanelled hospital and expecting cashless cover.
- Not asking the Arogya Mitra whether your specific maternity procedure is on the package list.
- Assuming everyone is eligible — verify your family's status first.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Does Ayushman Bharat cover a normal delivery?
Yes, at empanelled hospitals — but a normal delivery is already free at government hospitals under JSSK. PM-JAY is most useful for caesareans, complications, or care at empanelled private hospitals.
Is there a premium to pay?
No. Eligible families pay nothing — the cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year is fully funded by the government.
How do I know if my family is eligible?
Check the ‘Am I Eligible’ tool on pmjay.gov.in, or call 14555. Eligibility is based on the SECC 2011 database plus state expansions.
Is the newborn covered too?
Yes — neonatal (newborn) care packages are included under the family cover.
Are maternity packages the same in every state?
No. The list of covered maternity procedures and package rates varies by state, so confirm with the hospital's Arogya Mitra.
Go to the source
Official government resources
Free tools
Keep planning with ParentVibes
Related maternity schemes
JSSK
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)
Completely free delivery and newborn care at government hospitals.
Headline benefit
Free delivery — including C-section
JSY
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
A cash incentive for delivering your baby safely in a health facility.
Headline benefit
₹600 – ₹1,400 cash for institutional delivery
ESI
ESI Maternity Benefit
Paid maternity leave and free medical care for women covered by ESI.
Headline benefit
26 weeks of paid leave at full wages
Plan the rest of your pregnancy
This page is an educational summary of a publicly available government scheme, verified against official sources on 9 July 2026. Scheme amounts, eligibility and rules change with government policy — always confirm the current details on the official portal above before you apply. It is not legal, financial, or medical advice. See our editorial policy for how we source and review content.
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