Ayushman Vay Vandana: 93 lakh cards for seniors
What happened
- More than 93 lakh Ayushman Vay Vandana cards had been created by December 2025 [PIB].
- Since October 2024, AB-PMJAY gives ₹5 lakh a year in free cover to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income [PIB].
Background
- This is the first universal, age-based entitlement within PM-JAY.
Why it matters
- Older people have the highest hospital costs. This cuts what families pay out of pocket.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2025-12-12): more than 93 lakh Ayushman Vay Vandana cards had been created by December 2025.
- Older people have the highest hospital costs. This cuts what families pay out of pocket.
Quotable data pointSince October 2024, AB-PMJAY gives ₹5 lakh a year in free cover to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.
PIB: MoHFW: Ayushman Vay Vandana update, 12 Dec 2025
Exam angle
UPSC
Prelims: Vay Vandana.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Practice · UPSC
Age threshold
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Cover per year
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Cards issued
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Go deeper
ExplainerOne Health Approach: Why Human, Animal and Environmental Health Are Linked, Zoonotic Diseases, the Global Quadripartite and India’s National One Health Mission (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerAntimicrobial Resistance (AMR): How Superbugs Arise, the Global and Indian Burden, Causes in Hospitals, Farms and the Environment, and India’s National Action Plan 2.0 (UPSC Notes + PYQs)
Official source: PIB: MoHFW: Ayushman Vay Vandana update, 12 Dec 2025
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending