Ayushman Bharat Card West Bengal: Apply & Swasthya Sathi

For years, families in West Bengal relied on the state's Swasthya Sathi card for cashless hospital treatment. In 2026 the state joined the central Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) scheme, and many families now ask the same questions: do I need a new card, what happens to my old one, and where do I apply? This guide answers them in plain language, with a quick tool to check which scheme may suit you and a checklist of what to keep ready. Last reviewed: 29 October 2026.

Read this first: Reports on the exact dates and the transition steps differ, and rules may change. Use this article to understand the picture and prepare, then confirm everything on the official portals linked below. Getting your Ayushman card on the official portal is free. Never pay an agent or share your OTP with strangers.

What is changing in West Bengal?

Under the earlier government, West Bengal did not join PM-JAY and ran its own scheme, Swasthya Sathi, started in 2016. After the 2026 change of government, the state announced that it would bring Ayushman Bharat to Bengal. According to news reports, the Chief Minister announced the plan on 23 May 2026, and the state signed an agreement with the National Health Authority (NHA) in early June 2026. Reports say about 1.43 crore families are expected to be covered.

Timeline as reported

When	What was reported
23 May 2026	The Chief Minister announced that Ayushman Bharat would be launched in Bengal, with Swasthya Sathi beneficiaries moving across and others able to register fresh.
Early June 2026	The state signed an agreement (MoU) with the National Health Authority in New Delhi and became the 36th state or UT to join PM-JAY.
1 July 2026	The launch date first announced by the state.
16 August 2026	Some reports say the rollout actually began on this date.
Now	Beneficiary data is being matched, hospitals are being added and cards are being issued in phases.

Because the timeline differs between reports, check the official portal or the helpline for the current status in your district.

Swasthya Sathi vs Ayushman Bharat: what is the difference?

Point	Swasthya Sathi (state)	Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (central)
Health cover	Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year	Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year
Where you can use it	Hospitals within West Bengal	Empanelled hospitals across India (portability)
Treatment type	Cashless hospital care	Cashless secondary and tertiary hospital care, including day-care procedures
Who is covered	Families enrolled in the state scheme	Families who meet the national eligibility list, plus groups such as senior citizens aged 70 and above and ASHA and Anganwadi worker families
Cost to the family	No premium	No premium
Main advantage	Familiar card and hospital network	Treatment anywhere in India, useful for migrant workers

The biggest practical gain is portability: an Ayushman card can be used at empanelled hospitals in other states, which helps families who work or travel outside Bengal.

What happens to your Swasthya Sathi card?

Reports describe a phased approach rather than a sudden switch:

If you qualify under Ayushman Bharat, your Swasthya Sathi record is used to move you to a PM-JAY card.
If you do not qualify under Ayushman Bharat, you may be covered under the state's Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY), which is reported to offer cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family for Swasthya Sathi beneficiaries outside the central scheme.
For now, keep your Swasthya Sathi card safe. Do not throw it away until your new card is confirmed.

One report also says state government employees and pensioners under the state health scheme were asked to submit a declaration by 31 October 2026. If this applies to you, confirm the exact rule with your department.

Which scheme may suit you? Try the tool

Answer four questions to see which route you may fall under. This is a guide based on commonly reported criteria, not an official decision.

Which scheme fits my family?

Do you have a Swasthya Sathi card?

Which group describes your family?

Annual family income is ₹8 lakh or less?

Government employee or pensioner in the family?

Who is eligible for the Ayushman Bharat card?

Eligibility is based on a national beneficiary list and socio-economic criteria, not on how much you can pay. Commonly reported groups include:

Rural families living in kutcha or temporary houses, landless families that earn by manual labour, families with no adult earning member, and eligible SC and ST households.
Urban workers such as street vendors, domestic workers, construction and sanitation workers, transport workers and mechanics.
Senior citizens aged 70 and above, who can get an Ayushman Vay Vandana card.
ASHA and Anganwadi workers and their families.

Not sure whether you are on the list? Check it yourself on the official eligibility portal below, using your registered mobile number.

Official links: where to check and apply

Use only these official government websites. Be careful with look-alike sites that charge money.

Check eligibility (Am I Eligible) Apply / e-KYC / download card PM-JAY official site Swasthya Sathi portal

For help, the NHA lists a toll-free helpline, 14555. You can also visit an Ayushman Mitra help desk at an empanelled hospital, a Common Service Centre (CSC) or a government camp.

How to get your Ayushman Bharat card online (step by step)

Check your eligibility. Open the official eligibility portal, log in with your mobile number and OTP, choose West Bengal and search by your name, ration card or family details.
Open the beneficiary portal. Go to the official beneficiary website and log in with your mobile number and OTP.
Select the scheme and state. Choose PM-JAY and West Bengal, then search for your family using your Aadhaar, ration card or family details.
Pick the family member and start the e-KYC.
Complete e-KYC. You can verify by Aadhaar OTP, fingerprint or face authentication. Your mobile number should be linked to Aadhaar for the OTP.
Submit and download. After approval, download the e-card. Save the PDF on your phone and keep a printed copy.

If you find the online process difficult, an Ayushman Mitra at a hospital or a CSC can do it with you. This service is meant to be free.

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How to use your card at a hospital

Choose an empanelled hospital. Ask for the "Ayushman Mitra" desk or check the hospital list on the official portal.
Show your card and ID. The Ayushman Mitra verifies your identity.
Get approval. The hospital requests pre-authorisation for the treatment.
Get treated cashlessly. Covered treatment should not need an upfront payment.
Claim handled by the hospital. The hospital submits the claim when you are discharged.

Coverage mainly applies to hospital admission and listed procedures. Routine outpatient visits and some treatments may not be covered, so ask the hospital in advance.

Common problems and how to fix them

Problem	What to try
Your name is not found on the list	Search again using another family member, your ration card or your registered mobile number. Then visit an Ayushman Mitra desk or ask at the helpline.
OTP does not arrive	Check that your mobile is linked to Aadhaar. If it is not, update it at an Aadhaar centre.
Name or date of birth mismatch	Correct the wrong record first. See why government applications get rejected.
Hospital refuses the card	Check that the hospital is empanelled and that your card is active, then ask for the grievance process.
Someone asks for money for the card	Do not pay. The official process is free. Report it on the helpline.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to apply again if I already have a Swasthya Sathi card?

Reports say existing Swasthya Sathi data is being used to move eligible families to Ayushman Bharat. Some families may still need to complete e-KYC. Check your status on the official portal and keep your old card until the new one is confirmed.

Is the Ayushman Bharat card free?

Yes. The cover has no premium, and creating the card on the official portal or at a government help desk should not cost anything.

How much is the health cover?

Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for covered hospital treatment, on a family-floater basis.

Can I use the card outside West Bengal?

Yes. Ayushman Bharat is portable, so you can use it at empanelled hospitals in other states.

I am over 70. Is there a separate card?

Senior citizens aged 70 and above are reported to be eligible for the Ayushman Vay Vandana card. Check eligibility on the official portal.

What if I am not eligible for Ayushman Bharat?

Swasthya Sathi cardholders who are not covered by the central scheme may be covered by the state's Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Bima Yojana. Check the Swasthya Sathi portal or your local office.

Need help getting your card?

Our team can check your documents, fix name mismatches and guide you through the e-KYC so you get it right the first time.

Get help with your Ayushman card →

Also read: Annapurna Bhandar eligibility and documents.

Sources and further reading

This article is general information based on news reports and is not official government guidance. Scheme rules, dates and portals change, so confirm the details on the official PM-JAY, NHA and Swasthya Sathi websites or the 14555 helpline before you apply or make any decision about your health cover.

Ayushman Bharat Card in West Bengal (2026): How to Apply, Eligibility and What Changes from Swasthya Sathi