In a landmark initiative to enhance elderly care, the Delhi government has launched the ‘Ayushman Vay Vandana’ scheme, offering free medical treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh annually for senior citizens aged 70 years and above. The scheme was officially rolled out in the capital by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta alongside Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who handed over the first set of Vay Vandana health cards to beneficiaries during a special launch event.
The health coverage under this scheme is a combined effort by the Central and Delhi governments, providing a dual-layer insurance. Eligible senior citizens receive ₹5 lakh worth of coverage through the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), while an additional ₹5 lakh is offered by the Delhi government under its own health protection scheme—effectively doubling the total health coverage.
Each registered beneficiary will be issued a personalised Vay Vandana Health Card, which securely stores complete medical history, health check-up records, and emergency information. Moreover, all diagnostic tests, health check-ups, and treatments will be conducted free of cost for the target group at both government and empanelled private hospitals across India.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To qualify for the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme, applicants must:
- Be 70 years or older, irrespective of income level.
- Be a permanent resident of Delhi.
- Possess a valid Aadhaar card.
BENEFITS OF THE VAY VANDANA SCHEME
- Health insurance coverage of ₹10 lakh (₹5 lakh from AB PM-JAY + ₹5 lakh from Delhi government).
- Cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals nationwide.
- Free diagnostics and annual health check-ups.
- Access to a unique health card with stored medical and emergency service details.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Registration began on April 28, 2025. Eligible residents can visit the official AB PM-JAY portal, provide their Aadhaar details, and search for ‘Ayushman Vay Vandana’ to complete enrolment. Upon successful registration, beneficiaries will receive their personalised health cards.
This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to dignified and accessible healthcare for Delhi’s elderly population, ensuring that age does not become a barrier to quality medical treatment, for more details CLICK HERE
