Central Government Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Free Treatment up to ₹5 Lakh a Year — All Senior Citizens Above 70 Also Eligible

7 November 2026, 11:35 PM • Harish Sharma • Category: All India Schemes

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News: Central Government Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Free Treatment up to ₹5 Lakh a Year — All Senior Citizens Above 70 Also Eligible
Date: 7 November 2026, 11:35 PM
Author: Harish Sharma
Category: All India Schemes
Source: See the official portal for details — the link is inside the story.

The Central Government’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the world’s largest government-funded health insurance scheme. Eligible families get free cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh a year — at more than 36,000 government and private hospitals across India. The scheme began in September 2018 and covers 1,949 medical procedures, including surgery, chemotherapy, dialysis and newborn care. The biggest news — now all senior citizens aged 70 and above are also eligible, whatever their income.

Who gets the ₹5 lakh cover

PM-JAY covers families listed in the SECC 2011 (Socio-Economic Caste Census) database. In rural areas, criteria like a kutcha house, no adult earner or a woman-headed household apply, while in urban areas 11 occupational categories — street vendors, domestic workers, construction workers and sanitation workers among them — are eligible. The ₹5 lakh cover is for the whole family — all members share it together. There is no cap on family size or age.

What senior citizens above 70 get

Under the Ayushman Vaya Vandana expansion, which began in September 2024, every citizen aged 70 or above is eligible for PM-JAY — income, pension or SECC listing does not matter. Such senior citizens get an additional ₹5 lakh top-up, separate from the family’s ₹5 lakh cover. So even if the family already has a cover, a member above 70 gets a separate ₹5 lakh for their own treatment. Only an Aadhaar card is needed.

How to get the Ayushman card

The card is completely free — never pay any agent for it. First check your eligibility at beneficiary.nha.gov.in — log in with your mobile number and OTP, then search for your family using your Aadhaar number or ration card. If eligible, complete Aadhaar e-KYC (by OTP or face authentication) and download the card. For help, call the PM-JAY helpline 14555 (toll-free). In Haryana, also read our article on the Chirayu Card list for related state health cover information.

How to get treatment

Treatment is cashless only at empanelled hospitals — show the Ayushman card at admission. Pre-hospitalisation tests, medicines, surgery and post-treatment care are all covered. Pre-existing diseases are covered from day one. The card works across India, so it can be used for treatment outside Haryana as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who gets free treatment up to ₹5 lakh under PM-JAY?
A: Families listed in the SECC 2011 database get cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh a year per family. All citizens aged 70 and above are separately eligible.

Q2: How do senior citizens above 70 join?
A: With only an Aadhaar card — do e-KYC at beneficiary.nha.gov.in. There is no income or SECC condition, and a separate ₹5 lakh top-up is given.

Q3: How do I make an Ayushman card?
A: Log in at beneficiary.nha.gov.in with mobile OTP, search your family by Aadhaar or ration card, complete e-KYC and download the card. It is completely free.

Q4: In which hospitals is treatment available?
A: More than 36,000 government and private hospitals across India are empanelled. The list is available at beneficiary.nha.gov.in.