House panel recommends Rs 10 lakh cover, lowering age to 60 yrs for Ayushman scheme

“The Committee is of the view that age criteria of 70 years and above for Ayushman Vay Vandna Cards should be rationalised to 60 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status for widening the coverage of the scheme in the better interest of common masses,” the report said.

The committee also pointed out that there was a trend of under-utilisation of the allocated budget. The report noted that Rs 7,200 crore was allocated for the scheme in FY24, which was reduced to Rs 6,800 crore at the estimate stage, and the actual spending stood at only Rs 6,670 crore. In FY25, Rs 7,300-crore allocation was revised to Rs 7,605 crore, but the actual spend (until January 9) stood at Rs 5,034.03 crore.

For FY26, an enhanced amount of Rs 9,406 crore has been allocated. “This indicates potential inefficiencies in fund disbursement or implementation bottlenecks. The Committee, therefore, recommends a thorough review of the fund release mechanisms to states/UTs,” the report said.

The increase in the budget for FY-2026 is likely due to the expansion of the scheme to the elderly and states like Odisha and Delhi signing up to the scheme.

The panel also suggested that allocation of funds to states should depend on their performance. “The committee suggests that the release of funds be linked to the performance of states in terms of card creation, hospital admissions, and beneficiary feedback, ensuring that funds are directed to areas of greatest need and impact,” the report said.