What is ABDM?
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is India’s national effort to connect its health system — so your medical records can be linked, carried and shared securely, only with your consent. Here’s what it is, how it works, and why it matters for you.
Official ABDM explainer
A unified, consent-based health ecosystem
Launched by the National Health Authority under the Government of India, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) sets out to give every Indian a seamless, digital health journey. Instead of building one giant government database, ABDM lays down shared standards and open building blocks — a health ID, verified registries and consent rails — that let hospitals, labs, pharmacies and health apps connect with each other.
The result is meant to work a little like UPI did for payments: many different players, one common language. Your records can move between them, but only when you allow it. You stay in charge of your own health data at every step.
The core building blocks of ABDM
ABDM is made of a few simple pieces that fit together. Here’s what each one does, in plain English.
ABHA number & ABHA address
Your health ID under ABDM. The ABHA number is a unique 14-digit identifier for your records; the ABHA address (like yourname@abdm) is an easy-to-remember handle you use to log in and share reports — similar to an email or UPI ID.
Health Facility Registry (HFR)
A national directory of verified hospitals, clinics, labs and pharmacies. It lets you find and connect with participating facilities so their records can flow to you digitally.
Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR)
A verified register of doctors and other health professionals. It helps confirm you are dealing with a genuine, registered practitioner across the ecosystem.
Personal Health Records & health lockers
Apps like ExaHealth act as a health locker, where your lab reports, prescriptions and discharge summaries are gathered in one secure place that you control.
Unified Health Interface (UHI)
An open network for digital health services — like teleconsultation or appointment booking — that lets different apps and providers talk to each other, much like UPI did for payments.
Consent-based data exchange
The rails that carry records only after you approve. Every share is logged, time-bound and revocable, so nothing moves without your say-so.
Your data, your rules
The mission is built so that you — not a hospital, an app or the government — decide who sees your records. Consent is explicit, specific and reversible.
You own your data
Your records belong to you. ABDM does not create a central store of your medical files — data stays with the providers and lockers you choose.
Nothing moves without approval
A doctor or hospital can only view your records after you grant consent, for a specific purpose and time period.
Grant and revoke anytime
You can withdraw access whenever you like. Every request and share is recorded, so you always have an audit trail.
Why ABDM matters for you
For most people, health records are scattered and easy to lose. ABDM is designed to change that.
From scattered files to one history
Reports today live across different hospitals, labs and pharmacies. ABDM lets them come together into a single, portable health timeline.
No more carrying paper
Skip the folder of old prescriptions and printouts — your history travels with your ABHA, wherever you seek care in India.
Faster, better-informed care
When a doctor can see your past tests and prescriptions with your consent, they can avoid repeats and make quicker, safer decisions.
Privacy by design
Consent, time limits and revocation are built into the system, so sharing is deliberate — never automatic.
ABDM — frequently asked questions
What is ABDM?
ABDM stands for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission — India’s national initiative to build a connected, consent-based digital health ecosystem. It creates common building blocks (like a health ID and registries) so your medical records can be linked and shared securely, with your permission, across hospitals, labs and apps.
Is ABDM the same as ABHA?
No. ABDM is the overall mission and the ecosystem it creates. ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is your personal health ID within that ecosystem — the number and address you use to link and share records. ABHA is one part of ABDM.
Is my data safe under ABDM?
ABDM is built around consent. Your records are not shared without your explicit approval, and every share is time-bound and revocable. Data stays with the providers and health lockers you choose rather than in one central pool, and you can withdraw access at any time.
Who runs ABDM?
ABDM is led by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Government of India, as part of the wider Ayushman Bharat programme.
Is ABDM free to use?
Yes. Creating your ABHA and participating in ABDM is free for citizens. ExaHealth does not charge you to create or use your ABHA.
How do I start using ABDM?
The first step is to create your ABHA (health ID). Once you have it, you can link your existing reports, connect participating facilities and share records securely with any doctor — all from one place on ExaHealth.
Join the digital health mission
Create your free ABHA and bring every report into one secure, consent-controlled place. It only takes a couple of minutes.
Create my ABHA