Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana, an extension of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2024 to provide free medical coverage for senior citizens. Under this scheme, the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card offers ₹5 lakh in free health coverage to all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their socio-economic status.
What makes this card even more beneficial is that it covers treatment for nearly 2,000 medical procedures, including all pre-existing conditions from day one, with no waiting period. But how to register for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card and claim Rs 5 lakh health cover?
What is Vay Vandana Card?
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card extends a Rs 5 lakh annual health cover to every citizen aged 70 years and above, regardless of income or prior scheme eligibility. Those already under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme will receive an additional Rs 5 lakh as a top-up. Beneficiaries of other government or private health schemes must choose between their existing coverage and the new offering. Those who have a health cover from private companies are also eligible under the scheme.
Here is how to avail Ayushman Vay Vandana Card
To avail of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, an extension of AB PM-JAY – the world’s largest health assurance scheme, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Download the Ayushman App from the Google Play Store
Step 2: Click on Login as beneficiary or operator (if applicable)
Step 3: Enter captcha, enter mobile number, and mode of authentication.
Step 4: Enter OTP, captcha code, and click Login.
Step 5: Allow access to the device’s location.
Step 6: Enter details of the beneficiary, including state and Aadhaar details
Step 7: If a beneficiary is not found, follow the process for eKYC. Give consent for OTP.
Step 8: Provide a declaration, fill in the required fields.
Step 9: Enter the beneficiary’s mobile number and OTP
Step 10: Fill in details, including category and PIN code.
Step 11: Add family members’ details and proceed to submit
Step 12: Once e-KYC is completed, you will be able to download the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card post approval.
Senior citizens aged 70 and above can now get their Ayushman Vay Vandana Card through the Ayushman App and access ₹5 lakh of free treatment.
Watch this video to learn how to create Ayushman Vay Vandana Card and unlock essential healthcare benefits.#HealthForAll… pic.twitter.com/ZH005Xx410
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) May 25, 2025
Senior citizens can take cashless healthcare services related to 1961 procedures across 27 medical specialities, including General Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Oncology, etc. They can also take treatments for Hemodialysis / Peritoneal Dialysis, Acute Ischemic Stroke, accelerated hypertension, Total Hip Replacement, Total Knee Replacement, PTCA, inclusive of diagnostic angiogram, Single Chamber Permanent Pacemaker Implantation, Double Chamber Permanent Pacemaker Implantation, and so on.
Beneficiaries of Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards are eligible to take the benefits of the scheme through a network of over 30,072 hospitals, including 13,352 private hospitals.