How to Register an ABHA Card

To register an ABHA card, visit the official ABHA portal or app, choose to create an ABHA, verify your identity using Aadhaar OTP or another supported method, confirm your mobile number and create your ABHA address. You can then download your ABHA card instantly. Registration is free and voluntary.

This guide explains who can register, the documents needed, each registration method and how to solve common problems.

What Is ABHA and Why Register?

The Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) is a unique digital health identity issued under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which is implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA). Registering for ABHA gives you an ABHA number and an ABHA address, which together let you link, view and share your health records with ABDM-integrated hospitals, clinics, labs, pharmacies and health apps, with your consent.

Registration is voluntary and free. ABHA is not health insurance and does not provide financial cover, but it can make your medical history easier to access and share, help you avoid carrying bulky files and support faster registration at integrated facilities. Related read: ABHA Health Card Registration: What It Is and Key Benefits.

Who Can Register for an ABHA Card?

Any resident of India can generally create an ABHA. There is no income criterion and no need to be a beneficiary of a government health scheme. Adults can register themselves, and parents or guardians can generally create an ABHA for their children, with the child's account linked to the guardian as per the platform's rules. Elderly people who are not comfortable with smartphones can get assisted registration at participating health facilities.

Do you need ABHA to get treatment?

ABHA is voluntary, so you can generally receive treatment at hospitals without it. However, having an ABHA can make registration quicker at ABDM-integrated facilities and helps your doctors view relevant past records when you choose to share them. It is also separate from scheme eligibility, so creating an ABHA does not by itself make you eligible for any government health scheme, and not having an ABHA does not generally disqualify you from a scheme for which you are otherwise eligible.

Documents and Details Required

The details you need depend on the registration route you choose. Typically, you should keep the following ready:

• Aadhaar: the most common route, using an OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number or biometric authentication at a facility.
• Driving licence or other supported document: some routes allow registration with a driving licence or another document supported by the platform, which may require additional verification.
• Mobile number: an active mobile number for OTP verification and communication.
• Email address: optional, but useful for updates and account recovery.

Check the official ABHA portal for the current list of supported registration routes and documents.

How to Register an ABHA Card Online Using Aadhaar

The official ABHA portal at abha.abdm.gov.in offers a simple online process. Screen labels may change over time, but the steps are broadly as follows:

1. Visit the official ABHA portal: open the portal and choose the option to create your ABHA number.
2. Select Aadhaar as the method: choose the Aadhaar route and enter your Aadhaar number.
3. Give consent: read the consent terms carefully and agree to share your Aadhaar details for ABHA creation.
4. Verify with an OTP: enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number to complete e-KYC.
5. Confirm your mobile number: provide the mobile number you want to link with ABHA and verify it if it differs from your Aadhaar-linked number.
6. Review your profile: check the name, date of birth, gender and address fetched from Aadhaar.
7. Create your ABHA address: choose a username-like ABHA address from the suggestions or create your own, subject to availability.
8. Download your ABHA card: after creation, view and save your ABHA card from your profile.

Other Ways to Register for ABHA

Through the ABHA mobile app

Download the official ABHA app from your phone's app store, choose to create an ABHA and follow the on-screen steps, which are similar to the portal process.

Through ABDM-integrated apps

Several government and private health apps that are integrated with ABDM, such as Aarogya Setu, eSanjeevani and approved personal health record apps, may allow you to create an ABHA within the app. DigiLocker-linked flows may also offer ABHA creation, depending on current features.

At a participating health facility

Many ABDM-integrated hospitals, clinics and health centres can help you register. Staff may use Aadhaar OTP or biometric authentication to create your ABHA. This option is helpful for people without a smartphone or for those who face difficulties with OTP verification.

Using a driving licence or other supported route

Where available, you can begin registration with a driving licence or another supported document. Such routes may require additional verification, for example at a participating facility, before your ABHA is fully active.

Registration Methods Compared

Registering ABHA for Children and Elderly Parents

Each family member needs an individual ABHA, because health records are personal and consent is given by the account holder. Registering the whole family can make it easier to keep everyone's records organised, especially when you manage appointments and reports for children or older relatives.

For children

Parents or guardians can generally create an ABHA for a child through the official portal or app. The child's account is typically linked to the guardian, who manages it on the child's behalf as per the platform's rules. Keep the child's details accurate so that records from paediatric visits and vaccination-related consultations at integrated facilities can be linked correctly.

For elderly parents

Older adults can register online with help from a family member or visit a participating facility for assisted registration, including biometric verification if OTP is difficult. Several ABHA profiles can usually be linked to the same mobile number, so a caregiver can help manage records. Always involve the parent in decisions about consent and access.

How ABHA Registration Relates to Health Insurance

Registering for ABHA does not give you insurance cover, and it is not the same as enrolling in Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, which requires meeting separate eligibility criteria and uses the Ayushman Card. However, a well-maintained ABHA with linked records can help when you need to share discharge summaries, prescriptions and test reports during hospital admissions or claim documentation. Insurers are being integrated with the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX), which aims to standardise claim processing, and digital records may simplify documentation over time. Ask your insurer whether it accepts or uses ABHA-linked records in its processes.

What to Do After Registering

• Save your ABHA card: download it and keep a copy on your phone. Related read: What Is a Digital Health Card in Health Insurance?
• Note your ABHA address: you will use it to log in to apps and share records.
• Set a password: where the option is available, set a strong password for added login convenience.
• Link your records: share your ABHA during visits to integrated facilities so that prescriptions and reports can be linked.
• Review consent settings: understand how consent requests work and approve only those you recognise. Related read: Understanding Digital Health Insurance and Paperless Policies.

Common Registration Problems and Solutions

• OTP not received: ensure your Aadhaar is linked to an active mobile number. If not, update it through official Aadhaar channels or use biometric registration at a participating facility.
• ABHA already exists: if the system shows that an ABHA is already linked to your Aadhaar, use the login or retrieval option instead of creating a new account.
• Preferred ABHA address unavailable: try a variation of your name or choose from the suggestions offered.
• Details mismatch: details come from your identity document, so correct any errors at the source and then update your ABHA profile.
• Technical errors: try again after some time or use another official channel, and use the support options on the ABHA portal if issues persist.

Safety reminders

Registration on official channels is free. Do not pay agents, do not share your OTP with strangers and avoid websites that look similar to the official portal but use different web addresses.

ABHA helps you organise your health information, while health insurance helps you manage hospitalisation costs. To protect yourself and your family, explore ManipalCigna health insurance plans and choose cover that suits your needs, subject to policy terms and conditions.

FAQs

Conclusion

Registering an ABHA card is a quick, free and voluntary process. Using Aadhaar OTP on the official portal or app is the most convenient route for most people, while participating health facilities offer assisted registration. After registering, save your card, note your ABHA address and start linking your health records. For the latest procedures and supported documents, refer to the official ABHA portal and the ABDM website.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and awareness only and does not constitute legal, medical, financial or insurance advice. Government scheme details, eligibility criteria, benefits and processes are decided by the respective authorities and may change from time to time; please refer to the official government portals or contact the relevant authority for the latest information. Health insurance benefits are subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the specific policy. Please read the policy wording and sales brochure carefully before concluding a sale. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation.