Senior citizens above 70 years can apply for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card online in 2026 and get free health cover of up to ₹5 lakh every year. Indian government has been issuing this special Ayushman Bharat card for senior citizens since it was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 October 2024. As of 28 February 2026, over 1.14 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards have already been issued across all states and union territories.
This card gives healthcare to India's elderly without any income limit. So even if a family pays income tax or owns a big house, any member aged 70 or above can still get the card. It is a big help for senior citizens, especially those who cannot afford treatment costs on their own.
What is Senior Citizen Ayushman Bharat Scheme
To support senior citizens in India with proper healthcare, the Government of India runs the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY. Under this scheme, the government gives free treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh to all senior citizens aged 70 and above. If a senior citizen's family is already part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the senior member gets an extra top-up of ₹5 lakh just for themselves. In Delhi, by adding central and state funds, the cover goes up to ₹10 lakh for many seniors. Around 6 crore senior citizens from about 4.5 crore families are estimated to benefit from the scheme.
One main point is that pre-existing diseases like BP, diabetes, or heart problems are covered from day one, and there is no waiting period. Treatment is cashless and paperless at empanelled hospitals.
Apply Online for 70+ Senior Citizen Ayushman Card 2026
Applying for the senior citizen Ayushman Card is fully online and takes only a few minutes. You can use the Ayushman App or the official website. Follow the steps below.
STEP 1: Download the Ayushman App from Google Play Store, or visit the official website at beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
STEP 2: Log in using the senior citizen's mobile number and the OTP that comes on the phone.
STEP 3: Enter the Aadhaar number to check eligibility. If the name is not found, the app will ask you to do a fresh e-KYC. You can use the Face Auth feature to verify with a live photo instead of an OTP.
STEP 4: After e-KYC is approved, usually within 15 to 30 minutes, submit the application to complete the process.
How to Download Your 70+ Senior Citizen Ayushman Card
STEP 1: Visit the official PMJAY beneficiary website at beneficiary.nha.gov.in or open the Ayushman App.
STEP 2: Click on the login option for beneficiaries and enter the registered mobile number.
STEP 3: Enter the captcha code and click on Verify, then enter the OTP received on the mobile number.
STEP 4: After logging in, a dashboard will open. Click on the download card option to get the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card as a PDF.
Key Features of Senior Citizen Ayushman Card
| Name of the scheme | Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (70+ Senior Citizen Ayushman Card) |
|---|---|
| Introduced by | Government of India |
| Objective | Provide free health cover to senior citizens |
| Beneficiaries | Senior citizens aged 70 and above |
| Official website | beneficiary.nha.gov.in |
| Cards Issued | Over 1.14 crore (as of Feb 2026) |
| Empanelled Hospitals | 33,000+ |
| Health Cover | ₹5 lakh per year (₹10 lakh in Delhi) |
| Launch Date | 29 October 2024 |
Goals of the Senior Citizen Ayushman Card Program
Main goal of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card is to help senior citizens get good healthcare without worrying about money. The scheme covers around 2,000 medical procedures, from basic tests to big surgeries. By removing the income limit, the government has made it a health safety net for every elderly person in India, rich or poor. Senior citizens who are 70 or above are encouraged to get their card made on time so they can use it when needed.
Eligibility Standards for Application
- The applicant must be a permanent resident of India.
- The applicant must be 70 years of age or above, verified through Aadhaar.
- There is no income limit, so any senior citizen 70 or above can apply regardless of their economic status.
Advantages of the Senior Citizen Ayushman Card
This card brings several benefits for senior citizens and their families:
- Free cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh every year at empanelled hospitals.
- An extra ₹5 lakh top-up for the senior member if the family is already under PM-JAY.
- Cover for pre-existing diseases from day one, with no waiting period.
- Treatment at over 33,000 public and private hospitals across India.
- Online application from home using the Ayushman App, with no need to visit any office.
Required Documents for Application
The main document needed is the Aadhaar Card for e-KYC. A registered mobile number is also required for OTP. Optional documents like proof of address such as a Voter ID can be kept ready in case they are asked for.
Contact Details
For any help, you can call the toll-free number 14555, or give a missed call on 1800110770. Email: pmjay[at]nha[dot]gov[dot]in