CM Rekha Gupta unveils health scheme offering free treatment up to Rs 10L for elderly
In a groundbreaking initiative for senior citizen welfare, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday formally launched the “Vaya Vandana Yojana” at a grand ceremony held at Thyagaraj Stadium. The scheme aims to provide free healthcare benefits of up to Rs 10 lakh to all Delhi residents aged 70 and above, without any income criteria.
The launch event saw Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri attending as Chief Guest, alongside several Delhi Cabinet Ministers, MPs, MLAs, Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh, and a large gathering of senior citizens from across the city.
Under the new scheme, beneficiaries will receive ‘Vaya Vandana Cards’ — smart cards that will store their health records, treatment history, and medication details. Cardholders will be eligible for cashless treatment, free medicines, and emergency services at nearly 100 empanelled hospitals in Delhi. The scheme will also allow senior citizens to avail treatment at empanelled hospitals outside Delhi, ensuring wider access to healthcare
Calling it a “historic day” for Delhi’s elderly, Gupta said, “With ‘Vay Vandana Yojana’, we are fulfilling our commitment to care for senior citizens and advancing the vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji.” She clarified that only an Aadhaar card and Delhi address proof would be needed for enrollment, with no income criteria applicable.
Hitting out at the previous government, Gupta alleged that political “arrogance” had earlier denied Delhi residents access to schemes like Ayushman Bharat.
The CM also announced that 1,139 ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandirs’ would be set up across Delhi, with around 15 such clinics in each constituency, offering primary healthcare services, free medicines, and health awareness programs. She said Rs 12,893 crore had been allocated for the health sector in the 2025-26 Budget, alongside plans to build 24 new hospitals adding 16,186 beds. Rs 2,144 crore has also been earmarked to strengthen Ayushman Bharat implementation in Delhi.
Union Minister Puri lauded the move, calling it a “historic step” towards building a compassionate and humane society. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Puri wrote: “A society that cares for its elderly is a humane society. A new era of progress and prosperity begins in Delhi. Inspired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ji has launched the ‘Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana’ for senior citizens in Delhi. Now, all senior citizens above 70 years of age in Delhi will receive free health coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh. A new era of welfare and inclusive development begins under the Triple Engine Government in Delhi…”
Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh highlighted the struggles faced by the elderly in affording healthcare, pointing out that most insurance policies are either expensive or exclude pre-existing diseases.
Through ‘Vay Vandana Yojana’, we are ensuring that our elderly lead a life of dignity, respect, and independence,” she said.
Delhi