Delhi’s Vay Vandana Yojana Launched: Free ₹10 Lakh Healthcare for Senior Citizens

In a significant move to enhance healthcare access for the elderly, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Vay Vandana Yojana on April 28, 2025, at Thyagaraj Stadium, offering free medical treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh annually for residents aged 70 and above. The scheme, a collaboration between the central government’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the Delhi government, combines ₹5 lakh coverage from each to provide comprehensive cashless healthcare at nearly 100 empanelled hospitals across the city. The launch, attended by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, marked a milestone in prioritizing senior citizens’ health, with Gupta emphasizing that no eligible person would be left out. The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to dignity and independence for the elderly, amidst plans to expand Delhi’s healthcare infrastructure significantly.

Chief Minister Gupta, inaugurating the scheme, described it as a pivotal step toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” She outlined that the Vay Vandana Card, issued to each registered senior citizen, will securely store complete medical records, including health history, regular check-up details, and emergency service information. Eligibility is straightforward, requiring only an Aadhaar card and proof of Delhi residency, with no income criteria, ensuring broad access.

Gupta announced that registration began on April 28, with over 30,000 seniors already enrolled for cashless treatment. She also revealed plans for 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across Delhi, with approximately 15 centers per assembly constituency, to provide free basic healthcare services like check-ups, primary treatments, and essential medicines, aiming to make healthcare accessible near every citizen’s home.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, speaking at the event, called the scheme a “historic step for senior citizens,” criticizing the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for failing to implement Ayushman Bharat, which he said deprived lakhs of Delhiites of better healthcare. Puri highlighted the efficiency of Delhi’s “triple-engine government” under BJP leadership at the center, state, and civic levels, accelerating developmental works. He noted the scheme’s portability, allowing seniors to access treatment at empanelled hospitals across India, covering 961 medical procedures, including chemotherapy, ICU care, and surgeries. Delhi Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh emphasized the scheme’s unique value, stating that unlike private insurance plans, which often exclude pre-existing conditions and are costly, Vay Vandana Yojana acts as a “protective shield” for seniors, covering all diagnostics and treatments free of cost.

The scheme aligns with the broader Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, launched in 2018 to provide ₹5 lakh annual health cover per family for 55 crore vulnerable individuals. The Vay Vandana extension, announced by PM Modi in October 2024, targets all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of socio-economic status, benefiting 6 crore seniors from 4.5 crore families nationwide. In Delhi, the additional ₹5 lakh from the state government doubles the coverage, setting a model for other states. Gupta revealed a ₹12,893 crore healthcare budget for 2025-26, including plans for 24 new hospitals, 16,186 additional hospital beds, and ₹2,144 crore specifically for free treatment under Ayushman Bharat. She took a swipe at the former AAP government, accusing it of arrogance in blocking the scheme’s implementation, and assured that the current administration would stand firmly with seniors to protect their rights and dignity.