In its efforts to build an inclusive, accessible and world-class healthcare system, the Government of India sponsored Ayushman Vaya Vandana (health insurance scheme for senior citizens) has successfully completed two years in October 2026.
According to a press release by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the scheme launched on 29 October 2024 extends the benefit of the insurance scheme to every citizen aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status. As per the official data as on date the scheme covers 60m citizens for a sum of INR500,000 ($5270) per family per year. The scheme covers all cases requiring secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
As on 20 October 2026, the initiative has recorded 2,346,000 authorised hospital admissions, reflecting the utilisation of hospital services by eligible senior citizens aged 70 years and above, under the scheme. The total value of these admissions stands at INR56.688bn, representing the value of hospital care authorised under the scheme.
Cataract surgery is the most frequently availed procedure, with 471,000 treatments constituting approximately 20.1% of all authorised treatments. The volume of these procedures indicates that the initiative is addressing a long-standing gap in access to eye care among the elderly.
National Health Authority CEO Dr Sunil Kumar Barnwal said, “By extending the coverage to all eligible citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of socio-economic status, the initiative strengthens financial protection for the elderly families. It is an important step towards building a more inclusive healthcare system that recognises the needs of our senior citizens and ensures that financial constraints do not stand in the way of essential hospital care.”