Ayushman Vay Vandana: Two-Year Performance Review
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's Ayushman Vay Vandana initiative has completed two years of operation since its launch on 29th October 2024 by the Prime Minister. This transformative healthcare scheme extends the benefits of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to every Indian citizen aged 70 years and above, irrespective of socioeconomic status, representing a significant step toward universal health coverage for senior citizens.
Coverage and Implementation
The scheme is implemented by the National Health Authority under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and provides health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. For senior citizens aged 70+ 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 coverage available to other family members below 70 years. This initiative strengthens financial protection for approximately 6 crore senior citizens across 4.5 crore families nationwide.
Utilization Statistics
As of 20 October 2026, the scheme has recorded 23.46 lakh authorized hospital admissions with a total value of ₹5,668.80 crore. Cataract surgery emerged as the most frequently availed procedure with 4.71 lakh treatments, constituting approximately 20.1% of all authorized treatments. Chronic haemodialysis ranked second with approximately 2.90 lakh treatments, providing sustained support for kidney disease patients.
High-Value Procedures
In terms of authorized value, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) accounted for the largest share at approximately ₹649 crore, highlighting the scheme's role in making specialized cardiac care accessible to senior citizens. Other significant treatment categories included total knee replacement, management of acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), acute febrile illness, and acute kidney injury and renal failure.
Leadership Perspective
Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal, CEO of National Health Authority, stated that Ayushman Vay Vandana embodies the government's commitment to ensuring senior citizens can access healthcare with dignity, security, and peace of mind. The initiative represents an important step toward building a more inclusive healthcare system that addresses the needs of elderly citizens while ensuring financial constraints do not prevent access to essential hospital care.