How do I create an ABHA card?

To create an ABHA card, visit abha.abdm.gov.in, click 'Create ABHA Number', choose Aadhaar or Driving License for verification, enter your details and verify with the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Once verified, your ABHA number is created and you can download the ABHA card.

Yes. Creating an ABHA card (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is completely free. There is no charge for registration, download, or use of your ABHA health ID.

What documents do I need for ABHA?

You can create an ABHA card using either your Aadhaar card (recommended — fastest process with OTP verification) or your Driving License. Mobile number linked to Aadhaar is required for OTP verification when using the Aadhaar method.

Can I create ABHA card without Aadhaar?

Yes. If you do not want to use Aadhaar, you can create an ABHA card using your Driving License. The process takes slightly longer as it requires manual verification, but it is available as an option.

How do I download my ABHA card?

After creating your ABHA health ID at abha.abdm.gov.in, log in to your account using your ABHA number and mobile OTP. Navigate to the 'Download ABHA Card' section and download it as a PDF or image. You can also access your ABHA card through the Aarogya Setu app or ABHA mobile app.

What is the difference between ABHA and Ayushman Bharat?

Ayushman Bharat is a government scheme with two components: PM-JAY (health insurance for economically weaker sections) and ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission — the digital health ID system). ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is the unique health ID created under ABDM. Anyone can create an ABHA card — it is not limited to PM-JAY beneficiaries.

Can I create multiple ABHA cards?

No. Each individual is allowed only one ABHA number. Attempting to create duplicate ABHA accounts is not permitted.

What if I lose my ABHA card?

You do not need a physical card. Your ABHA number is permanent. You can log in to abha.abdm.gov.in at any time using your ABHA number and mobile OTP to download a fresh copy of your ABHA card.

Is ABHA card mandatory?

Currently, ABHA is voluntary for most patients. However, more and more hospitals — especially government facilities and ABDM-registered private hospitals — are integrating ABHA as part of their patient registration process. It is recommended to create one proactively.

Is ABHA the same as Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)?

No. PM-JAY is a government health insurance scheme for economically weaker sections. ABHA is the digital health ID system open to all Indian citizens regardless of income. These are two different programs under the Ayushman Bharat umbrella.

How to Create an ABHA Card Online — Complete Guide (2026)

ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is India's digital health ID. You can create it free online using your Aadhaar or driving license. This guide walks you through the process step by step — it takes about 5 minutes.

Last updated: February 2026

What is an ABHA Card?

ABHA stands for Ayushman Bharat Health Account. It is India's unique digital health identity system, created under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) by the National Health Authority (NHA), Government of India.

Your ABHA number is a 14-digit health ID that links all your health records — prescriptions, lab reports, hospital discharge summaries, and more — in one place. Think of it as your digital health passport.

Why ABHA matters:

Unified health records — All your medical records from different hospitals and doctors in one place
Portability — Any ABDM-linked hospital can access your records (with your consent)
No lost records — Digital records that follow you, even if you change doctors or cities
Insurance linkage — Can be linked to health insurance policies
Government integration — Accepted at government hospitals and ABDM-registered private hospitals

Currently, over 600 million ABHA numbers have been created across India, making it one of the world's largest digital health ID systems.

How to Create an ABHA Card Online (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Go to the official ABHA website

Visit abha.abdm.gov.in — this is the official Ayushman Bharat Health Account portal. Do not use unofficial third-party websites for ABHA creation.

Step 2: Click "Create ABHA Number"

On the homepage, you will see the option to "Create ABHA Number". Click on it.

Step 3: Choose your verification method

You will be asked to verify your identity using one of two options:

Option A: Aadhaar card (Recommended)

Faster and fully automated
OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number
Process completes in 3–5 minutes

Option B: Driving License

For those who prefer not to use Aadhaar
Requires additional verification steps
May take longer to complete

Step 4: Enter your details and verify OTP

If using Aadhaar:

Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number
Complete the CAPTCHA verification
An OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar
Enter the OTP to verify

Your basic information (name, date of birth, gender, address) will be auto-filled from your Aadhaar record.

Step 5: Choose your ABHA address

After verification, you will be asked to create your ABHA address — a unique username in the format yourname@abdm. This is like an email address for your health records.

Choose something memorable, as this address is how healthcare providers will link records to your ABHA.

Step 6: Review and confirm

Review your details, accept the terms and conditions, and confirm. Your ABHA number will be generated immediately.

Step 7: Download your ABHA card

Once created, you can download your ABHA card as a PDF or image file. Keep it stored on your phone for easy access at hospitals and clinics.

How to Link Your ABHA Card to Lifemaan

If your hospital uses Lifemaan for hospital management, your doctors can link your consultations and prescriptions to your ABHA health account. This means:

Your prescriptions are stored in your ABHA health record
Your digital health history grows automatically with each visit
You can share your complete health record with any ABDM-linked provider

Ask your doctor or the hospital reception to link your ABHA number when registering as a patient at any Lifemaan-powered hospital.

Learn more about how Lifemaan supports ABDM and digital health records.

Benefits of Having an ABHA Card

1. One health record, everywhere

With an ABHA card, your health records from different hospitals, labs, and pharmacies can be linked to a single account. No more carrying physical reports to every appointment.

2. Portability across hospitals

If you visit a new doctor or hospital in a different city, you can share your ABHA-linked health records with consent — without needing to bring physical documents.

3. ABDM compliance

As India's healthcare system progressively integrates with ABDM, having an ABHA card ensures you can access all ABDM-enabled services.

4. Insurance linkage

ABHA health IDs can be linked with health insurance policies, making claim processing faster and more efficient.

5. Emergency access

In emergencies, your ABHA-linked health record can provide critical medical history information to treating doctors.

For hospitals looking to integrate ABHA into their workflows, explore Lifemaan's EMR software and hospital management system — both support ABDM integration.