Ayushman Vay Vandana completes two years: cashless hospital care up to Rs 5 lakh for 70+ seniors
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on 29 October 2026 that the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme has completed two years. It gives people aged 70 and above cashless hospital cover of up to Rs 5 lakh a year, whatever their income.
What this means for you
If someone in your home is 70 or older, they can get this cover regardless of the family's financial status. Hospital admission treatment up to Rs 5 lakh a year can be cashless. Families already covered under AB PM-JAY get an extra top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh for their senior members, separate from the rest of the family's cover.
Key facts
- The scheme was launched on 29 October 2024 and completed two years on 29 October 2026.
- About 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 and above are covered.
- As of 20 October 2026, 23.46 lakh hospital admissions worth Rs 5,668.80 crore were approved.
- Cataract surgery was the most used treatment: 4.71 lakh procedures, about 20.1% of all approved treatments.
- About 2.90 lakh chronic haemodialysis treatments were done.
- About Rs 649 crore was approved for heart procedures (PTCA).
What has happened
The National Health Authority (NHA), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has said the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme completed two years on 29 October 2026. The scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on 29 October 2024.
It is part of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the government’s health insurance scheme that covers the cost of hospital admission. Vay Vandana extends those benefits to every citizen aged 70 and above, whatever their social or economic status.
Who benefits
Under the scheme, all senior citizens aged 70 and above are eligible for health cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for hospital admission, for secondary and tertiary care.
For families already covered under AB PM-JAY, members aged 70 and above get an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh a year. This extra cover is only for these seniors and is separate from the cover available to family members below 70. This way seniors get extra financial protection while the rest of the family keeps its own cover.
According to the ministry, about 6 crore senior citizens linked to around 4.5 crore families across the country fall in this group.
How much treatment in two years
As of 20 October 2026, 23.46 lakh hospital admissions were approved under the scheme. The total value of these cases was Rs 5,668.80 crore.
Cataract surgery was the most used treatment, with 4.71 lakh procedures, about 20.1% of all approved treatments. Chronic haemodialysis came next with about 2.90 lakh treatments. Dialysis is needed regularly by patients whose kidneys do not work properly.
Where the most money went
By value of approved treatments, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) accounted for the largest share, at about Rs 649 crore. PTCA is a procedure used to treat blocked heart arteries.
Other major treatment categories include total knee replacement, management of acute flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute febrile illness, and treatment of acute kidney injury and kidney failure.
What next
The ministry said the scheme is now entering its third year. Efforts will continue to widen publicly funded health coverage and reduce the burden of hospital costs on seniors and their families.
The notice does not say where to apply to join the scheme or which documents are needed. Eligible seniors can ask at their nearest hospital or the local office linked to Ayushman Bharat for this information.
Questions and answers
What is the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme?
It is part of AB PM-JAY that covers every citizen aged 70 and above. It gives cashless hospital cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for hospital admission.
Who is covered under Ayushman Vay Vandana?
Every citizen aged 70 and above, whatever their social or economic status. According to the government, about 6 crore seniors linked to around 4.5 crore families across the country fall in this group.
What if my family already has an AB PM-JAY card?
Members aged 70 and above in such families get an extra top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh a year. This extra cover is only for the senior member and is separate from the cover available to family members below 70.
Which treatment was used the most under the scheme?
Cataract surgery was the most used, with 4.71 lakh treatments, about 20.1% of all approved treatments. Chronic haemodialysis came next with about 2.90 lakh treatments.
How many hospital admissions were approved under the scheme?
As of 20 October 2026, 23.46 lakh hospital admissions were approved. Their total value was Rs 5,668.80 crore.
Glossary
- LOC (List of Candidates)
- The official list of students who will sit a board exam, sent by the school to the board.
Source: PIB, "सार्वभौमिक एवं समावेशी वरिष्ठ नागरिक स्वास्थ्य देखभाल को बढ़ावा: ‘आयुष्मान वय वंदना’ योजना के दो वर्ष पूरे, बुजुर्गों के लिए स्वास्थ्य सेवा में व्यापक बदलाव", 29 October 2026. Read the original notice
This routine notice was drafted with AI from an official source and published automatically; an editor reviews it after publishing. Report an error