The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on 29 October 2026 that the Ayushman Vay Vandana initiative has completed two years. Launched on 29 October 2024, the scheme provides all citizens aged 70 and above with cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospital care, regardless of their income. Those already covered under AB PM-JAY receive an additional top-up of up to ₹5 lakh. As of 20 October 2026, the initiative has facilitated 23.46 lakh hospital admissions valued at ₹5,668.80 crore.
Key points
- Eligibility: All citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of socio-economic status
- Benefit: Health coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation
- Top-up: Additional ₹5 lakh per year for those already under AB PM-JAY
- Impact: 23.46 lakh admissions valued at ₹5,668.80 crore recorded by 20 Oct 2026
- Common treatments: Cataract surgery (4.71 lakh) and haemodialysis (2.90 lakh)
When it applies
- launch of Ayushman Vay Vandana
Who it affects
- senior citizens aged 70 years and above
- senior citizens aged 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY
Refers to
- Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)