Registration for the Ayushman Bharat Scheme has started in Delhi. Now, any senior citizen aged 70 years or above can apply for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card and avail of free medical treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh. Your income does not matter — whether you earn a little or a lot, you are eligible. Even if your income exceeds the traditional eligibility limits of the Ayushman scheme, the central government has resolved this issue permanently with the launch of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY).
From April 28, Delhi residents aged 70 and above can start applying for this special card. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta officially announced this initiative. Initially, priority will be given to those holding ration cards under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). Eligible citizens can use this card to receive up to ₹5 lakh worth of treatment at any hospital across India, irrespective of their income — whether they are retired government employees, business owners, or others. Delhi has about 68,000 senior citizens eligible for this card.
Moreover, if a family already holds an Ayushman Card and has a member above 70 years of age, they will receive an additional ₹5 lakh health coverage. Let’s understand in detail how senior citizens can get their Ayushman Vay Vandana Card under the PMJAY (70+).
What is the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card?
Launched in 2024 under the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card aims to provide top-quality medical facilities to citizens aged 70 and above. This card allows them to avail free treatment up to ₹5 lakh at any hospital nationwide, regardless of their annual income. An estimated 6 crore+ seniors in India qualify for this.
Benefits of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card
• Free treatment up to ₹5 lakh for seniors aged 70 and above
• No income limit for eligibility
• Additional ₹5 lakh top-up benefit besides the regular Ayushman Card benefits
• Accessible across hospitals in India
Eligibility Criteria
• All Indian citizens aged 70 years or older
• Age proof as per the date of birth mentioned in the Aadhaar Card
Documents Required
• Aadhaar Card (mandatory)
• Aadhaar-linked mobile number
How to Apply for Ayushman Vay Vandana Card
You can apply online via portal or mobile app:
Through the Portal:
Step 1:
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Visit the official website https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/
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Enter Captcha and Mobile Number, click Verify
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Enter the OTP and login
Step 2:
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Select “Enrollment for Senior Citizens (70+)”
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Enter your Aadhaar Number and Captcha
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If you are not registered, click “Fresh Enrollment for 70+”
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Choose e-KYC mode: Aadhaar OTP / Fingerprint / IRIS Scan
Step 3:
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Consent to the terms, complete e-KYC
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After successful e-KYC, fill in your personal and family details
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Capture your live photo via webcam
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Submit the application
Step 4:
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After 15–20 minutes, your Ayushman Vay Vandana Card will be ready for download.
Through Mobile App:
Step 1:
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Download the Ayushman Bharat app from Play Store or App Store
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Login using Mobile OTP
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Tap “Enrollment for 70+ Years”
Step 2:
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Enter Aadhaar details
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Complete e-KYC (Aadhaar OTP / Fingerprint / IRIS Scan / Face Authentication)
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Proceed with the same steps as on the portal for registration and submission
How to Download the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card
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Login to the portal or app.
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Complete e-KYC if not already done.
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Search using Aadhaar, Family ID, PMJAY ID, or Location.
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Once verified (green status), download the card.
How to Check the List of Hospitals
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Visit https://pmjay.gov.in/
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Click on PMJAY for 70+ tab → List of Empanelled Hospitals
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Search using Pin Code, District, or Hospital Name.
Ayushman Scheme Helpline Numbers
If you face any issues while applying, contact:
• 1800-110-770 or 14555
Important FAQs about Ayushman Vay Vandana Card
Q: Is Aadhaar mandatory to apply?
A: Yes, Aadhaar is compulsory for e-KYC verification.
Q: If only the birth year is mentioned in Aadhaar, how is age calculated?
A: The date is assumed to be January 1st of the next year.
Q: If both parents are above 70, do we need two applications?
A: No, add the second senior member while filling out the family details.
Q: Can treatment start immediately after registration?
A: Yes, you can avail benefits from the next day itself.
Q: If a senior citizen earns ₹50,000 per month, are they eligible?
A: Yes, income does not affect eligibility.
Q: If two members are above 70, do they each get ₹5 lakh coverage?
A: No, the ₹5 lakh coverage is shared per family.
Q: Can someone with private medical insurance also apply?
A: Yes, you can still benefit from Ayushman Vay Vandana.
Q: Can seniors under ESIC coverage also get this card?
A: Yes, they are eligible.
Q: What about retired government employees with CGHS cards?
A: They must choose between CGHS and Ayushman Vay Vandana benefits.