Ayushman Vaya Vandana

✦Key Features

• Universal: ALL senior citizens aged 70+ covered, no income cap whatsoever
• ₹5 lakh per senior per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation
• Top-up ₹5 lakh for existing PM-JAY beneficiaries (70+) over their family entitlement
• Dedicated Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card — distinct from regular Ayushman Bharat card
• Pre-existing diseases covered from Day 1 — no waiting period
• All 33,000+ AB PM-JAY empanelled hospitals accessible nationwide
• 93+ lakh Vaya Vandana cards issued; 7.89 lakh hospital admissions authorized (Oct 2025)

✓Eligibility Criteria

• All Indian citizens who have attained the age of 70 years and above
• Eligibility is universal and not restricted by the household income or socio-economic status
• Senior citizens already covered under other government schemes like CGHS or ECHS can choose to opt-in

★Benefits

• Annual health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per family on a floater basis for the elderly
• Cashless and paperless access to medical services at all empanelled public and private hospitals
• Immediate coverage for all pre-existing diseases without any waiting period for seniors
• Dedicated top-up of ₹5 lakh for seniors in families already covered under existing PMJAY

▶Application Process

• Download and register on the Ayushman App or visit the official PMJAY web portal
• Perform e-KYC using Aadhaar-based OTP or biometric authentication to verify age
• Apply for the distinct Ayushman Vaya Vandana card which is separate from standard PMJAY cards
• Receive a virtual health card upon successful verification by the implementing agency

₹ Budget Allocation

3437

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 60:40 (General States), 90:10 (NE/Hilly), 100% (UTs)

Historical Context

Launched on October 29, 2024 (9th National Ayurveda Day) to provide a dignity-based healthcare model for the elderly.