How to create your ABHA in 4 steps
Creating an ABHA number takes a few minutes and is completely free. Here's the simple, step-by-step process using your Aadhaar or driving licence.
Creating an ABHA number is free, takes a few minutes, and needs nothing more than your Aadhaar (or a driving licence) and a phone. Here’s the whole process, start to finish.
Before you start
Have these ready:
- Your Aadhaar number (the simplest route) or a driving licence.
- The mobile number linked to your Aadhaar, since that’s where the one-time password (OTP) is sent.
That’s it. No paperwork, no fee.
The 4 steps
1. Open an official ABHA tool
You can create an ABHA through the official ABHA app, the government portal at abha.abdm.gov.in, or any ABDM-integrated app you trust. They all follow the same government process behind the scenes.
2. Enter your Aadhaar (or driving licence)
Choose how you want to create your ABHA and enter the number. You’ll be asked to agree to a short consent notice, which is the system confirming you’re creating the account yourself.
3. Verify with the OTP
An OTP is sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar. Enter it to confirm your identity. This is the step that makes your ABHA a verified health ID.
4. Set your ABHA address and finish
Pick your ABHA address, a handle like yourname@abdm that you’ll use to log in and share records. Once that’s done, your ABHA number and card are ready to use.
A couple of things to know
- An ABHA made with Aadhaar is verified straight away. If you use a driving licence, you may get a temporary ABHA until an extra verification step is completed.
- ABHA is voluntary. You’re never required to have one to get care; it just makes collecting and sharing your records far easier when you want to.
- Keep your ABHA address handy. It’s how providers will link records to you.
Where MediBrief fits in
At launch, MediBrief will let you create or link your ABHA right inside the app, then bring your records together and keep them encrypted on your phone. The ABHA does the official heavy lifting; MediBrief makes living with it simple, with one place for your family’s health and an Emergency Card ready when it counts.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to create an ABHA?
Your Aadhaar number is the easiest option, with a mobile number linked to it for the OTP. You can also use a driving licence, though that route may need an extra verification step before your ABHA is fully verified.
Is there any fee to create an ABHA?
No. Creating an ABHA is completely free under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. If any site or person asks you to pay for one, treat it as a red flag.
My mobile number isn't linked to my Aadhaar. Can I still create one?
The Aadhaar OTP route needs the mobile number that's registered with your Aadhaar. If yours isn't linked, you can update it at an Aadhaar centre, or use the driving-licence route instead.
Can I create an ABHA for my parents or children?
Yes. You can help create and manage ABHA accounts for family members and dependents, which is useful when you're the one looking after everyone's health records.
Keep reading
Why MediBrief?
We're building the simplest, most trustworthy way for Indian families to keep their medical records ready for an emergency — private by design, with a real person behind it. Here's what that means, and why it's different.
What is ABHA — and why it matters
ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is India's free digital health ID. Here's what it is, the difference between an ABHA number and an ABHA address, and what you can actually do with it.
Why your medical records matter in an emergency
In an emergency, the right information at the right moment changes everything. Here's why having your family's medical history ready — not buried in a folder — matters, and how an Emergency Health Card helps.
Keep your family’s health ready for an emergency
MediBrief keeps your family’s records encrypted on your phone — and an Emergency Card within reach when it counts. We’re pre-launch; join the waitlist for early access.