The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced significant changes in the way Ayushman Bharat health scheme cards are issued and managed. A key update requires Aadhaar-based e-KYC verification before a new Ayushman card can be created. This shift aims to strengthen eligibility checks and curb misuse of the system by people using fake or incorrect identities.
e-KYC Now Required For New Cards
Under the new rules, no new Ayushman Bharat card will be issued unless the beneficiary completes Aadhaar e-KYC verification. This means that simply applying for a card is not enough — individuals must have their Aadhaar details verified electronically to prove identity before the card is generated. This requirement is being enforced under an upgraded beneficiary identification system used by health authorities.
Adding New Members To Cards Restricted
Another major change is the removal of the option to freely add new family members to an existing Ayushman card. Earlier, beneficiaries could update their family list with new names, but this has now been restricted to ensure only eligible members receive benefits. New members can be added only if they qualify under the 2011 census-based eligibility criteria, and not arbitrarily at the applicant’s discretion.
Crackdown On Fake Cards And Fraud Prevention
The tightened rules come as authorities aim to reduce fraud, including the creation of fake Ayushman cards. Health officials are using advanced technology, including automated software and artificial intelligence, to regularly screen cards for irregularities. If a card is flagged as suspicious, services linked to it can be temporarily stopped and a detailed verification process is initiated.
Verification And Field Checks
Identified suspicious cases are reviewed by auditors and may also be physically verified by field officers at the district level. This ensures that cards linked to potentially ineligible individuals do not continue to receive benefits and that government resources are used only for genuine beneficiaries. Investigations have already identified and are reviewing tens of thousands of potentially dubious Ayushman cards issued in the past.
What Beneficiaries Should Do
Individuals who plan to apply for a new Ayushman card are advised to complete their Aadhaar e-KYC process promptly. Without e-KYC verification, eligible applicants will not receive the card, and existing cards without updated verification could face issues when accessing free healthcare services under the scheme.
