Think about the last time you visited a new doctor. You probably carried a plastic bag full of old prescriptions, reports and X-ray films, and still forgot one paper. The ABHA card is meant to fix exactly this problem.
ABHA stands for Ayushman Bharat Health Account. It is a free 14-digit health ID that lets you keep your health records in one digital place and share them with a doctor or hospital, only when you allow it. More than 93 crore Indians already have one.
This page shows you how to create an ABHA card online, how to log in, how to do ABHA card download (including download by Aadhaar number) and get the PDF, and answers the doubts people usually have about privacy.
Written by: Prabhash, content creator and web developer, sahiyojana.com
Last updated: 8 October 2026
Checked against: the official ABHA portal (abha.abdm.gov.in), News on AIR reports on ABDM (2026), and ABHA creation guides
ABHA Card at a Glance
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Full form | Ayushman Bharat Health Account |
| What it is | A 14-digit health ID number |
| Also get | An ABHA address (like a username, for example name@abdm) |
| Run by | National Health Authority under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) |
| Cost | Free |
| Is it compulsory? | No, it is voluntary |
| Create with | Aadhaar OTP or driving licence |
| Accounts so far | More than 93 crore (2026) |
| Health records linked | More than 104 crore (2026) |
| Official portal | Click Here |
ABHA Card vs Ayushman Card (PM-JAY): Not the Same Thing
This is the biggest confusion. Both have “Ayushman” in the name, but they do different jobs.
| Point | ABHA card | Ayushman card (PM-JAY) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Digital health ID to store and share health records | Free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year |
| Who can get it | Every Indian, any age | Only eligible families and all people aged 70+ |
| Gives free treatment? | No, by itself it does not | Yes, at empanelled hospitals |
| Cost | Free | Free |
So, you can (and should) have both if you are eligible for PM-JAY. Hospitals may also ask for your ABHA during admission.
What Can You Do With an ABHA Number?
- Keep your prescriptions, lab reports and discharge summaries in one place.
- Share records with a doctor by scanning a QR code at the hospital counter, which also means shorter queues in many government hospitals.
- See your records from different hospitals together.
- Control who sees your records; nothing is shared without your consent.
How to Create an ABHA Card Online
You can create ABHA in two main ways. Pick the one that suits you.
flowchart TD
A["Is your Aadhaar linked with your mobile number?"] -->|Yes| B["Create ABHA with Aadhaar OTP"]
A -->|No| C["Do you have a driving licence?"]
C -->|Yes| D["Create ABHA with driving licence and mobile OTP"]
C -->|No| E["Visit a hospital ABHA counter or CSC for help"]
B --> F["Choose ABHA address and download card"]
D --> F
classDef ask fill:#fff9c4,stroke:#f9a825,color:#4e342e
classDef ok fill:#c8e6c9,stroke:#2e7d32,color:#1b5e20
class A,C ask
class B,D,E,F ok
Method 1: Create ABHA Using Aadhaar (Fastest)
- Open the official ABHA portal. To open it directly, Click Here.
- Click on “Create ABHA Number”.
- Choose “Using Aadhaar”.
- Enter your Aadhaar number, tick the consent box and fill the captcha.
- Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
- Enter the mobile number you want to use for ABHA (it can be the same one). Verify it with OTP if asked.
- Your 14-digit ABHA number is created.
- Choose your ABHA address, for example ramesh1990@abdm. Pick something easy to remember.
- Your ABHA card is ready to download.
Method 2: Create ABHA Using Driving Licence
- On the ABHA portal, choose “Create ABHA Number” and then “Using Driving Licence”.
- Enter your mobile number and verify the OTP.
- Fill in your name, driving licence number, date of birth, gender and address.
- Upload a photo of your driving licence (front and back, if asked).
- Submit. Your ABHA number is created after verification.
Method 3: Using an App
You can also create and manage ABHA on the ABHA app and other approved health apps (like Aarogya Setu or health apps registered with ABDM). Log in with your mobile and follow the same Aadhaar OTP steps.
Method 4: At a Hospital Counter
Many government hospitals have an ABHA / “Scan and Share” counter. Staff there can help create your ABHA in a few minutes using your Aadhaar.
ABHA Card Login
| Login with | How |
|---|---|
| Mobile number | Enter mobile, get OTP |
| ABHA number | Enter 14-digit number, get OTP |
| ABHA address | Enter address (like name@abdm), get OTP or use password |
| Aadhaar number | Enter Aadhaar, get OTP on Aadhaar-linked mobile |
Steps:
- Open the ABHA portal and click “Login”.
- Choose how you want to log in (mobile, ABHA number, ABHA address or Aadhaar).
- Enter the details and the OTP.
- Your ABHA profile opens.
ABHA Card Download (PDF)
- Log in on the ABHA portal or ABHA app (see above).
- Open your profile.
- Click on “Download ABHA Card”.
- The ABHA card PDF will be saved on your device. You can print it or keep it on your phone.
ABHA Card Download by Aadhaar Number
If you created ABHA earlier but forgot the number:
- Open the ABHA portal and click “Login”.
- Choose “Aadhaar Number” as the login method.
- Enter your Aadhaar and verify with the OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
- Your ABHA profile opens. Click “Download ABHA Card”.
Tip: If several ABHA numbers are linked to your mobile (for example, for family members), the portal will show a list. Choose the right person before downloading.
Is My Health Data Safe?
This is a fair worry, so here is a plain answer:
- ABHA is voluntary. You do not have to create one.
- Your records are shared only with your consent. A doctor or hospital has to request access, and you approve it.
- You can see who accessed your records and when.
- You can deactivate or delete your ABHA from your profile settings if you no longer want it.
- Never share your OTP with anyone who calls you about ABHA.
Common Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Likely reason | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| OTP not received | Aadhaar not linked to mobile | Use the driving licence method, or visit a hospital counter |
| “ABHA already exists” | You created one earlier | Log in with Aadhaar and download your existing card |
| Name or date of birth wrong | Taken from Aadhaar | Correct your Aadhaar first; ABHA will update from it |
| ABHA address not available | Someone already chose it | Add numbers or your birth year (for example, ramesh1990@abdm) |
| Card PDF not opening | Old PDF reader | Open it in a browser or update your PDF app |
Helpline
| Purpose | Contact |
|---|---|
| ABDM / NHA helpline | 1800-11-4477 |
| Official portal | abha.abdm.gov.in |
| Local help | ABHA counters in government hospitals, CSCs |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an ABHA card?
It is a free digital health ID under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. It has a 14-digit ABHA number and helps you store and share your health records with your consent.
How can I create an ABHA card online?
Go to abha.abdm.gov.in, click “Create ABHA Number”, choose Aadhaar, enter your Aadhaar and the OTP, add your mobile, and choose an ABHA address.
How can I do ABHA card download?
Log in on the ABHA portal or app, open your profile and click “Download ABHA Card”. The PDF will be saved.
How can I download an ABHA card by Aadhaar number?
On the ABHA portal, choose “Login” with Aadhaar number, verify the OTP, open your profile and download the card.
How do I log in to ABHA?
Use your mobile number, ABHA number, ABHA address or Aadhaar with OTP on abha.abdm.gov.in or the ABHA app.
Is the ABHA card compulsory?
No. ABHA is voluntary, but it makes hospital visits easier because your records can be shared quickly.
Is ABHA the same as the Ayushman card?
No. ABHA is a health ID for records. The Ayushman (PM-JAY) card gives free treatment up to ₹5 lakh for eligible families and people aged 70+.
Is there any fee for an ABHA card?
No. Creating and downloading the ABHA card is free.
Can I create ABHA without Aadhaar?
Yes. You can create it using your driving licence and mobile number, or get help at a hospital ABHA counter.
What is an ABHA address?
It is like a username for your health account, for example name@abdm. You use it to log in and share records.
Can I delete my ABHA number?
Yes. You can deactivate or delete your ABHA from your profile settings on the portal or app.
Can I make ABHA for my children or parents?
Yes. Each person can have their own ABHA. For older parents, you can help them create it using their Aadhaar and OTP.
Sources
- Official ABHA portal (abha.abdm.gov.in): create, login and download options
- News on AIR: more than 93 crore ABHA accounts and 104 crore health records linked (2026)
- BankBazaar: ABHA creation using Aadhaar and driving licence, login and download steps
Disclaimer
sahiyojana.com is not a government website and is not linked with the National Health Authority. We explain official processes in simple words. Please confirm the latest steps on abha.abdm.gov.in. sahiyojana.com is completely free and never asks for any money.
Important Links
These important links are collected for you by sahiyojana.com. Click on any link to open the page.
| What You Need | Link |
|---|---|
| Application Form (Create ABHA Number) | Click Here |
| Official Site (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission) | Click Here |
| ABHA Login and Card Download | Click Here |
| PMJAY / Ayushman Card Guide | Click Here |
| Other Yojana Info | Click Here |
| Home Page | Click Here |