New Delhi: More than 96.73 lakh Ayushman Vay Vandana cards were issued nationwide as of December 31, 2025, the Union government informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
The Ayushman Vay Vandana card extends health coverage to senior citizens aged 70 years and above. The Centre rolled out the card in October 2024 by expanding Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, irrespective of socio-economic status.
Under AB-PMJAY, eligible families receive health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per year for secondary and tertiary hospital care. The scheme covers around 12 crore families, accounting for the bottom 40% of India’s population.
As of December 31, 2025, authorities authorised 10.33 lakh hospital admissions for Ayushman Vay Vandana beneficiaries. These admissions involved approved treatment costs worth Rs. 2,154.37 crore across States and Union Territories.
Ayushman Vay Vandana admissions show higher male utilisation
Out of the total authorised admissions, 3.93 lakh cases related to female beneficiaries. These treatments accounted for Rs. 820.42 crore in approved expenditure.
Male beneficiaries accounted for 6.40 lakh authorised admissions. The approved treatment cost for these cases stood at Rs. 1,333.94 crore across implementing States and Union Territories.
The government said the expansion aimed to strengthen financial protection for elderly citizens. The card allows cashless access to empanelled public and private hospitals under the national health assurance programme.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav provided the information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
