Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana 2026 – Latest Updates & Complete Guide
🩺 What Is Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana?
Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana is a health insurance expansion under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB‑PMJAY) aimed at senior citizens aged 70 years and above. It provides free cashless healthcare coverage up to ₹5 lakh annually, regardless of income or social status.
The scheme was launched in October 2024 and has rapidly scaled up across India as part of the Centre’s objective to protect elderly citizens from catastrophic medical costs.
📰 Latest 2026 Updates
✅ Huge Enrollment So Far
- As of December 2025, over 93 lakh Ayushman Vay Vandana cards have been issued nationwide to eligible senior citizens.
- These cards have enabled millions of hospital admissions under the scheme, with benefits amounting to ₹1,741+ crore authorised so far.
📈 National Reach and Impact
- The scheme benefits approximately 6 crore senior citizens (aged 70+) from 4.5 crore families across India.
- States and Union Territories report wide uptake with thousands hospitalized under the scheme’s cashless cover.
👵 Eligibility Expansion Proposal
A Parliamentary standing committee has recommended lowering the eligibility age from 70 to 60 years and doubling the cover from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per family per year to reach more people and strengthen financial protection.
(Note: This is a recommendation — not yet government policy.)
🏥 Application Simplified
Senior citizens can now apply via the Ayushman App or through physical centres (e.g., CSCs) for quick card generation, making enrolment easier than ever. 📌 Union Budget 2026
No major changes were announced to Ayushman Bharat in the 2026 Union Budget, but clarifications were offered on eligibility, documentation and how senior citizens can enroll online.
🎯 Key Features & Benefits
💡 Major Highlights
- 📍 Health cover of ₹5 lakh per year for citizens aged 70+, irrespective of income.
- 🏥 Cashless treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals across India.
- 📱 Online registration is available through the Ayushman App or official portal.
- 🛡️ No income or socioeconomic limit for eligibility.
📊 Additional Notes
- Some regions (like Delhi) have local enhancements — e.g., coverage reportedly up to ₹10 lakh in certain contexts under state programmes alongside central support.
- Card holders can use their benefits nationwide wherever empanelled hospitals exist.
👵 Who Is Eligible?
- Indian citizens aged 70 years or older.
- No income limit — wealthy or poor seniors are equally eligible.
- Aadhaar number is typically needed for age verification.
👉 Note: There’s an ongoing recommendation to drop the age threshold to 60 years, but this is not yet implemented.
📍 How to Apply (Step‑by‑Step)
You can apply online or offline:
🖥️ Online (via Ayushman App)
- Download and open the Ayushman App.
- Navigate to the Ayushman Vay Vandana section.
- Enter Aadhaar and personal details.
- Upload necessary documents and submit.
- Your digital card may be generated on spot.
🏢 Offline
- Visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or public health centre.
- Fill the application form with an attendant’s help.
- Officials will process your card issuance.
No complex paperwork or income proof is needed — just age verification.
🩹 Real‑World Impact
The scheme has already touched the lives of millions of seniors — delivering cashless treatment, reducing out‑of‑pocket expenses and improving access to quality healthcare. The government continues expanding empanelled hospitals and streamlining enrolment for better reach.
