A patient creates an ABHA number at
abha.abdm.gov.in, usually with Aadhaar and an OTP, in
a couple of minutes. The result is a unique 14-digit ABHA number plus an
ABHA address (a readable username like name@abdm) that ties their health
records together across providers. Many patients already have one, so often the
job is linking, not creating. (For what ABHA is and where it sits in ABDM, see the
explainer.)
What the patient needs
- An Aadhaar number, with a mobile linked to it for OTP.
- That's essentially it for the Aadhaar route; name, date of birth, gender, and address are pulled from the Aadhaar record.
The steps
- Go to abha.abdm.gov.in and choose create using Aadhaar.
- Enter the Aadhaar number and accept the declaration.
- Enter the OTP sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile to verify.
- Confirm the mobile number; the patient's basic details auto-fill from Aadhaar.
- Create an ABHA address (the
name@abdmusername) — pick something memorable, since this is how providers link records. - The 14-digit ABHA number is generated immediately, and the ABHA card can be downloaded as a PDF or image.
ABHA number vs ABHA address
These confuse people, so to be clear: the number (14 digits) is the unique
identifier; the address (name@abdm) is a friendly handle that's easier to
say and type. They both point to the same account, like an account number versus a
username.
The clinic's role
Your job at the desk is usually one of two things: help a patient who wants one create an ABHA, or link records to a patient's existing ABHA when they consent. You don't create duplicates for patients who already have one, and you only link or share records with explicit, revocable consent.
Where Avinya Plus fits, honestly
ABHA/ABDM support in Avinya Plus is early and opt-in, and we don't claim "ABDM certified" status. What we focus on is keeping each patient's record single, structured, and exportable, so linking it to an ABHA is a small step whenever a patient wants it.
This is general guidance, not official documentation. The ABHA portal and its steps change; confirm the current flow on abha.abdm.gov.in.
Frequently asked questions
- What does a patient need to create an ABHA?
- An Aadhaar number with a mobile linked to it for OTP. Their name, date of birth, gender, and address auto-fill from the Aadhaar record.
- What's the difference between an ABHA number and an ABHA address?
- The ABHA number is a unique 14-digit ID. The ABHA address is a readable username like yourname@abdm that's easier to share. Both point to the same health account.
- Does the patient have to use Aadhaar?
- Aadhaar is the common, instant route. Other identity options exist, but Aadhaar with an Aadhaar-linked mobile is the simplest and generates the number immediately.
- Many of my patients already have an ABHA. What then?
- Then you don't create a new one. You link records to their existing ABHA on their consent, rather than making a duplicate account.