The ABHA Health Card is an important part of India’s digital healthcare system. It is introduced under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to help individuals identify, link, access and share their digital health records more conveniently.
An ABHA number is a unique 14-digit health identification number. It can connect digital health records created by participating hospitals, clinics, laboratories and other healthcare providers.
Creating an ABHA number is voluntary and free. Individuals remain in control of which linked records are shared, with whom they are shared and for how long.
What Is an ABHA Health Card?
ABHA stands for Ayushman Bharat Health Account. It provides a unique digital identity for participating in India’s digital health ecosystem.
The ABHA system generally includes:
- ABHA number: A randomly generated 14-digit health identification number.
- ABHA address: An easy-to-remember username used for accessing supported personal health record services.
- ABHA card: A downloadable representation of the ABHA number that can be saved digitally or printed.
- ABHA application: A personal health record application that helps users link, view and share eligible digital health records.
Creating an ABHA number does not automatically upload every medical record. Records must be generated, uploaded or linked through an ABDM-compatible healthcare provider or application.
Is ABHA the Same as an Ayushman Card?
No. An ABHA Health Card and an Ayushman Card are different.
| Feature | ABHA Health Card | Ayushman Card |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission | Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY |
| Main purpose | Digital health identification and record sharing | Cashless hospitalisation benefits for eligible families |
| Financial coverage | Does not provide insurance coverage | Provides eligible healthcare coverage under PM-JAY |
| Availability | Voluntary digital health account | Available only to eligible beneficiaries |
| Medical records | Helps link and share digital records | Primarily used to receive eligible treatment benefits |
An ABHA number does not provide ₹5 lakh of medical insurance or guarantee free treatment. It should not be treated as a replacement for personal health insurance.
Purpose of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to create an interoperable digital healthcare ecosystem in India.
Hospitals, doctors, diagnostic centres, pharmacies and patients often use separate systems. ABDM provides a framework through which compatible healthcare systems can identify participants and exchange eligible health information with patient consent.
Its key objectives include:
- Providing individuals with a unique digital health identity
- Improving access to linked medical records
- Supporting consent-based sharing of health information
- Reducing dependence on physical medical documents
- Improving coordination between healthcare providers
- Supporting continuity of care
- Making hospital registration and digital services more convenient
ABDM does not replace doctors, hospitals or their existing record-management systems. It provides a common framework through which compatible systems can communicate.
How Does ABHA Work?
The ABHA system can be understood through four basic steps.
Step 1: Create an ABHA Number
The individual creates a 14-digit ABHA number through the official registration portal, a supported application or a participating healthcare facility.
Step 2: Link Health Records
Digital health records generated at an ABDM-compatible facility can be linked to the individual’s ABHA after the required consent is provided.
Step 3: View Linked Records
The individual may use a supported personal health record application to discover, link and view available health records.
Step 4: Share Records With Consent
Selected records can be shared with another participating doctor or healthcare facility for a specified purpose and period.
The system does not mean that every doctor can automatically see the complete medical history of an ABHA holder.
How to Create an ABHA Health Card
An ABHA number can be created online or with assistance from a participating healthcare facility.
Create ABHA Using Aadhaar
Aadhaar-based registration is generally the quickest option for people whose mobile number is linked to Aadhaar.
The usual registration process includes:
- Visit the official ABHA registration portal.
- Select the option to create an ABHA number using Aadhaar.
- Read and accept the applicable consent terms.
- Enter your Aadhaar number.
- Request an OTP.
- Enter the OTP received on the Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Verify the displayed personal information.
- Provide any additional required details.
- Create or select an available ABHA address, where applicable.
- Download or save the ABHA card.
Always verify that you are using an official government portal or a trusted ABDM-compatible application before entering Aadhaar or OTP information.
Create ABHA Using a Driving Licence
The official self-registration portal also provides a Driving Licence option.
Under this process, the applicant may be required to:
- Select Driving Licence as the identity document.
- Enter the requested personal and licence information.
- Complete the initial online registration.
- Receive an enrolment or reference number.
- Visit a participating ABDM healthcare facility.
- Carry the original Driving Licence for identity verification.
- Complete verification with the facility staff.
The process may take longer than Aadhaar-based registration because physical verification can be required.
Create ABHA Through a Healthcare Facility
People who cannot complete online registration can request assistance at a participating hospital, clinic or healthcare centre.
Facility-assisted registration may include:
- Help from trained staff
- Identity authentication
- Mobile-number verification
- Creation of the ABHA number
- Assistance downloading or printing the ABHA card
- Help linking available digital health records
This option can be useful for senior citizens, people without smartphones and individuals with limited digital access.
Documents and Information Required
The exact requirements depend on the selected registration method. Applicants may need:
- Aadhaar number or Driving Licence
- Active mobile number
- Full name
- Date or year of birth
- Gender
- Address details
- Aadhaar-linked mobile access for OTP authentication, when using Aadhaar
There is no application or renewal fee for creating an ABHA number through the official system.
Benefits of an ABHA Health Card
Convenient Access to Medical Records
ABHA can help individuals discover and access eligible linked health records through a compatible personal health record application.
These records may include:
- Doctor prescriptions
- Laboratory reports
- Diagnostic reports
- Discharge summaries
- Consultation records
- Vaccination records
- Other digital clinical documents
Only records that have been created, uploaded or linked through compatible systems will be available.
Reduced Dependence on Paper Documents
Patients often lose old prescriptions, diagnostic reports and hospital discharge summaries. Digital records can reduce the need to carry large physical files during every consultation.
However, retaining important original medical documents is still advisable, especially when records are not available digitally.
Better Continuity of Care
When a patient chooses to share relevant records, a new doctor may receive useful information about previous diagnoses, medicines, tests and treatments.
This may help with:
- Understanding the patient’s medical history
- Avoiding unnecessary repetition of some tests
- Reviewing previous treatments
- Improving coordination between specialists
- Reducing certain medication or prescription errors
- Managing chronic medical conditions
The final treatment decision always remains with the qualified healthcare professional.
Faster Hospital Registration
At supported healthcare facilities, patients may be able to scan a QR code and share basic profile information for faster registration.
This can reduce the time spent repeatedly entering personal details at hospital counters. Availability depends on whether the facility supports ABDM’s digital services.
Consent-Based Record Sharing
ABHA allows individuals to control the sharing of linked records.
The user may be able to decide:
- Which records are shared
- Which healthcare provider receives them
- Why the records are being requested
- How long access remains valid
- Whether an existing consent should be revoked
Providing consent does not necessarily erase copies already downloaded or retained by a healthcare provider during the authorised access period.
Privacy and Security in ABHA
Health information is sensitive, making privacy an important part of the ABHA framework.
| Privacy feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Voluntary registration | Creating an ABHA number is not compulsory |
| Record-linking consent | Records should be linked according to the applicable consent process |
| Selective sharing | Users may choose which linked records to share |
| Time-limited access | Consent can be provided for a specified duration |
| Consent revocation | Users can withdraw active sharing consent |
| Opt-out facility | An ABHA can be temporarily deactivated or permanently deleted |
ABDM uses a federated architecture. Medical records generally continue to be stored by the healthcare providers that created them. ABDM facilitates their exchange across compatible systems after the required consent is received.
A hospital that originally created a medical record may continue to retain that record according to its legal requirements and retention policy.
Can Hospitals Access ABHA Records Without Permission?
Another doctor or healthcare facility cannot access ABHA-linked records through the ABDM network without the required consent.
However, a hospital or doctor that originally created a record may already possess that record as part of its own patient files. ABHA does not remove the healthcare provider’s existing access to records created within its system.
Users should carefully review every consent request before approving it.
How to Deactivate or Delete an ABHA Number
Participation in ABHA is voluntary. Users can opt out by temporarily deactivating or permanently deleting their ABHA number.
Temporary Deactivation
Deactivation temporarily makes the ABHA unavailable for use.
During deactivation:
- The ABHA cannot be used at participating facilities.
- Linked records cannot be shared through the ABDM network.
- Access to ABDM applications may be unavailable.
- The user may reactivate the ABHA later.
This option may be suitable for someone who wants to stop using the service temporarily.
Permanent Deletion
Permanent deletion removes the ABHA number and its associated demographic information from the ABHA system.
After deletion:
- The same ABHA cannot be recovered.
- ABDM applications cannot be accessed using the deleted number.
- Information previously tagged to that ABHA cannot be retrieved through it.
- A healthcare provider may still retain original medical records according to its own legal and operational requirements.
Users should carefully understand the consequences before selecting permanent deletion.
Limitations of the ABHA Health Card
Although ABHA can make digital healthcare more convenient, it has several limitations:
- It does not provide health insurance coverage.
- It does not guarantee free treatment.
- It does not automatically contain every past medical record.
- It works only with participating or compatible healthcare systems.
- Some hospitals may not yet support all ABDM services.
- Incorrectly linked records may require support or correction.
- Access to digital services may depend on mobile connectivity and OTP verification.
- Medical records retained by hospitals are governed by their respective policies and applicable laws.
ABHA should be viewed as a digital health identifier and consent-based record-sharing system rather than a treatment or insurance scheme.
Important Safety Tips
Follow these precautions while using ABHA:
- Use only the official portal or trusted ABDM-compatible applications.
- Never share an OTP with an unknown person.
- Do not post your ABHA card publicly.
- Check the name of the facility requesting access.
- Review which records are being requested.
- Check the purpose and duration of consent.
- Revoke consent when access is no longer required.
- Keep the registered mobile number updated.
- Report suspicious activity through official support channels.
- Maintain separate copies of important medical records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can create an ABHA number?
Individuals who voluntarily want to participate in India’s digital health ecosystem can create an ABHA number, subject to the available registration and identity-verification options.
Is ABHA registration compulsory?
No. Creating an ABHA number is voluntary. A person should not be denied ordinary healthcare merely because they do not have an ABHA number.
Is there any application fee?
No. ABHA registration through the official system is free.
Is Aadhaar compulsory for creating ABHA?
Aadhaar is one registration option. The official portal also provides a Driving Licence option, although facility-based verification may be required.
Does ABHA provide ₹5 lakh of health coverage?
No. ABHA does not provide medical insurance or ₹5 lakh of treatment coverage. PM-JAY benefits are part of a separate programme and are available only to eligible beneficiaries.
Does ABHA replace health insurance?
No. ABHA is a digital health identifier. It does not pay hospital bills and cannot replace personal, family or employer-provided health insurance.
Are all medical records added automatically?
No. Records become available only when they are created, uploaded or linked through compatible healthcare providers or applications.
Can a doctor see my complete medical history?
A doctor can access records shared through the ABDM network only after the applicable consent is provided. You can generally control the records and duration included in the consent.
Can consent be revoked?
Yes. Users can manage and revoke active record-sharing consent through a supported ABHA or personal health record application.
Can ABHA be used for AYUSH treatment records?
Digital records from participating and compatible AYUSH healthcare facilities may be linked and shared through the ABDM ecosystem. Availability depends on the facility and its technology.
Can I deactivate my ABHA temporarily?
Yes. Temporary deactivation stops the ABHA from being used until it is reactivated.
Can a deleted ABHA be recovered?
No. Permanent deletion cannot ordinarily be reversed. Users should select this option only after understanding its consequences.
Conclusion
The ABHA Health Card provides a unique digital identity that can help individuals link, access and share eligible health records within India’s digital healthcare ecosystem.
Its main advantages include convenient record access, reduced dependence on paperwork, improved coordination between healthcare providers and consent-based sharing. However, ABHA does not provide insurance benefits, guarantee free treatment or automatically collect every medical record.
Before creating or using an ABHA number, understand the consent controls, privacy settings, registration methods and difference between ABHA and the Ayushman Card.
