Driven by the continuous efforts and relentless dedication of the Government of India towards building an inclusive, accessible and world-class healthcare system, Ayushman Vay Vandana has successfully completed two years today. Launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 29th October 2024, this transformative initiative extends the benefits of the landmark Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to every citizen aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the initiative marks an important step towards extending health coverage and strengthening financial protection for approximately 6 crore senior citizens, belonging to around 4.5 crore families, across the country.
Under Ayushman Vay Vandana, all senior citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible for health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
For senior citizens aged 70 years and above, belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY, an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year is available exclusively for themselves, separate from the cover available to other family members below 70 years of age. This provision extends the scheme’s financial protection to eligible senior citizens aged 70 years and above, while preserving the coverage available to other family members.
As on 20 October 2026, the initiative has recorded 23.46 lakh authorised hospital admissions, reflecting the utilisation of hospital services by eligible senior citizens aged 70 years and above, under the scheme. The total value of these admissions stands at ₹5,668.80 crore, representing the value of hospital care authorised under the scheme.
Cataract surgery is the most frequently availed procedure, with 4.71 lakh treatments constituting approximately 20.1 per cent of all authorised treatments. The volume of these procedures indicates that the initiative is addressing a long-standing gap in access to eye care among the elderly.
Chronic haemodialysis ranks next, with approximately 2.90 lakh treatments, providing sustained support to beneficiaries who require regular hospital-based care for kidney disease.
In terms of authorised value, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) accounts for the largest share, at approximately ₹649 crore. This underlines the role of the initiative in safeguarding beneficiaries against the high cost of specialised cardiac care.
Other prominent treatment categories include total knee replacement, management of acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), acute febrile illness, and acute kidney injury and renal failure. Taken together, these procedures span the continuum of hospital care, from routine surgical interventions to the management of complex and critical conditions.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal, CEO, National Health Authority, said, “Ayushman Vay Vandana embodies our commitment to ensuring that senior citizens aged 70 years and above, can access healthcare with dignity, security and peace of mind. By extending AB PM-JAY coverage to all eligible citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of socio-economic status, the initiative strengthens financial protection for the elderly families. It is an important step towards building a more inclusive healthcare system that recognises the needs of our senior citizens and ensures that financial constraints do not stand in the way of essential hospital care.”
By extending the benefits of AB PM-JAY to all eligible senior citizens, irrespective of socio-economic status, Ayushman Vay Vandana reinforces the commitment of the Government of India to inclusive healthcare and financial protection in old age. As the initiative enters its third year, it will continue to widen the reach of publicly funded health coverage and to reduce the financial burden of hospitalisation on senior citizens and their families.
HFW/Ayushman Vay Vandana Completes Two Years/29th October2026/1