The central government’s Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana completed two years on October 29, 2026. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the scheme recorded 23.46 lakh authorized hospital admissions worth ₹5,668.80 crore, as of October 20 2026.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched this scheme on October 29, 2024. Under Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) initiative, all eligible senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status, are provided with an annual health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh. It is expected to benefit approximately six crore senior citizens across 4.5 crore families nationwide.
Under the scheme, eligible senior citizens receive annual health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh for hospitalisation. Those from families already covered under AB PM-JAY are entitled to an additional ₹5 lakh cover exclusively for themselves, separate from the benefits available to family members below 70 years of age.
This scheme is being implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Its objective is to provide senior citizens with access to cashless hospital treatment, regardless of their financial situation and to offer them better financial security.
As of October 20, 2026, cataract surgery emerged as the most commonly availed treatment under the scheme, with 4.71 lakh procedures, accounting for 20.1 per cent of authorised treatments. Chronic haemodialysis followed, with approximately 2.90 lakh treatments.
In terms of authorised treatment value, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) accounted for the highest share at approximately ₹649 crore. Other major treatments included total knee replacement, acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), acute febrile illness, and acute kidney injury and renal failure.
On the completion of two years of the scheme, Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal, CEO of the NHA, stated that this initiative reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring dignity, access to better healthcare services and financial security for senior citizens. He emphasized that no elderly person should be deprived of necessary hospital treatment due to financial constraints.
As the scheme enters its third year, its objective is to increase access to healthcare services for senior citizens and to reduce the financial burden of hospitalisation on them and their families.
(PIB)
