- ₹250 to ₹1,000Contribution a monthBy pay level
- About 80CGHS cities
- 2,506Listed private hospitals and labsJuly 2026
- 10 yearsPaid once for a lifetime cardPensioners
What is CGHS?
CGHS, the Central Government Health Scheme, is the health scheme of the Government of India for its own employees and pensioners. It started in Delhi in 1954. Today it serves about 42 lakh people in about 80 cities. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare runs it.
CGHS is not insurance. There is no sum insured and no premium based on age. Members pay a fixed monthly contribution based on their pay level. In return, they and their family get doctor visits and medicines at CGHS wellness centres, and treatment in government hospitals and in private hospitals that are on the CGHS list (called empanelled hospitals).
- Step 1Pay the contribution₹250 to ₹1,000 a month, by pay level.
- Step 2Get a CGHS cardOne card for you and your dependent family.
- Step 3Visit a wellness centreDoctor, medicines and tests close to home.
- Step 4Hospital when neededOn referral, or straight away in an emergency.
Example: Anil, Level 8. Anil works in a central ministry in Delhi. His basic pay is ₹47,600, the entry pay of Level 8. His CGHS contribution is cut from his salary each month. His wife, his son aged 19 and his dependent mother are on the same card.
- Contribution a month
- ₹650
- In a year
- ₹7,800
- Ward entitlement
- Semi-private ward
Who is covered under CGHS?
- Yes: Central government employees living in a CGHS city (membership is compulsory there)
- Yes: Central government pensioners and family pensioners drawing pension from Central Civil Estimates
- Yes: Their dependent family members, as defined below
- Yes: Some other groups, such as MPs and former MPs, freedom fighters, PIB-accredited journalists and some autonomous bodies
- No: State government employees and pensioners (they have state schemes)
- No: Employees of most PSUs and banks
- No: Defence pensioners (they use ECHS, a separate scheme)
- No: Family members who are not dependent on you
Employees outside CGHS cities: they are usually covered by the CS(MA) Rules, 1944 instead, which pay back medical bills. News reports of an office memorandum dated 17 September 2026 say the Health Ministry has removed the old distance limit, so serving employees outside the CGHS area can choose CGHS once, and the choice is final. Ask your office for the order before you apply.
CGHS dependent rules: who counts as family?
A family member is a dependant if they live with you and their own income is not more than ₹9,000 a month plus dearness relief on that amount. The husband or wife does not need to meet the income test.
| Family member | Covered until |
|---|---|
| Husband or wife | Always (first wife only) |
| Parents or parents-in-law | If dependent and living with you. You choose either your parents or your parents-in-law, not both |
| Son | He starts earning or turns 25, whichever comes first |
| Son with a permanent disability | Any age (benchmark disability of 40% or more, with a certificate) |
| Daughter | She starts earning or gets married, at any age |
| Divorced, separated, abandoned or widowed daughter | Any age, if dependent |
| Unmarried, divorced, separated or widowed sister | Any age, if dependent |
| Minor brother | Until he turns 18 |
| Minor children of a widowed or separated daughter | Until they turn 18 |
Children include adopted children and stepchildren. In September 2026 the Health Ministry also said dependent transgender children and siblings are covered at any age, with a certificate under the Transgender Persons Act, 2019. If a family member stops being dependent, you must tell CGHS. If you do not, CGHS can withdraw the facility.
CGHS contribution rates by pay level
The CGHS contribution is linked to your 7th Pay Commission pay level. The rates below were fixed on 9 January 2017. In November 2022 the Health Ministry said there was no change in them, and none had been notified as of November 2026.
| Pay level | A month | A year | Lifetime (120 months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 to 5 | ₹250 | ₹3,000 | ₹30,000 |
| Level 6 | ₹450 | ₹5,400 | ₹54,000 |
| Level 7 to 11 | ₹650 | ₹7,800 | ₹78,000 |
| Level 12 and above | ₹1,000 | ₹12,000 | ₹1,20,000 |
- Serving staff: the contribution is cut from the salary every month. It is compulsory for staff in CGHS cities.
- Pensioners: pay at the rate of the pay level they held at retirement, for 1 year or more at a time, or once for a lifetime card (see below). Payment is made online on Bharatkosh.
- Tax: in the old tax regime, the CGHS contribution can be claimed within the health insurance deduction (earlier Section 80D). The new regime does not give this deduction.
Want to see what your pay may look like after the next pay revision? Try the 8th Pay Commission calculator.
CGHS ward entitlement by basic pay
Ward entitlement is the type of room you can use in an empanelled private hospital. It depends on your basic pay, not on your pay level. The bands below apply from 28 October 2022.
| Basic pay a month (7th CPC) | Ward |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹36,500 | General ward |
| ₹36,501 to ₹50,500 | Semi-private ward |
| Above ₹50,500 | Private ward |
The ward at the entry pay of some levels. As your basic pay goes up with yearly increments, your ward can change.
| Pay level | Entry basic pay | Ward at entry pay |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | ₹18,000 | General ward |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 | General ward |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 | General ward |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 | Semi-private ward |
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 | Semi-private ward |
| Level 9 | ₹53,100 | Private ward |
| Level 12 | ₹78,800 | Private ward |
- For pensioners, the ward is decided by the basic pay drawn at retirement.
- If your pay crosses a band, you can apply for a fresh card that shows the new ward.
- You can choose a higher ward than your entitlement, but you pay the difference yourself. CGHS pays only at the rate for your own ward.
CGHS card: how to apply and the digital card
- Step 1Apply onlineServing staff apply on the CGHS website and get a reference number.
- Step 2Print and signAdd photos of each family member and sign the form.
- Step 3Give it to your officeYour Head of Office sponsors it and sends it to CGHS.
- Step 4Get the cardOpen the e-card on the website, the myCGHS app or DigiLocker.
Documents to give:
| Who | Documents |
|---|---|
| Serving employee | Pay slip showing the pay level and CGHS deduction, Aadhaar or PAN for you and each family member, photos, disability certificate if needed |
| Pensioner | PPO, provisional PPO or last pay certificate, Aadhaar or PAN, photos, Bharatkosh challan for the contribution, proof of taking or not taking FMA, disability certificate if needed |
| Dependants | Proof that they live with you (such as a ration card, voter ID, passport or bank passbook) and proof of age for sons |
- Digital CGHS card: the order of 27 June 2024 says the electronic card is at par with the plastic card. You can show it on your phone.
- Lost or damaged plastic card: a new plastic card costs ₹100. There is no fee if you choose only the digital card.
- Retiring soon: you can apply for the pensioner card 6 months before retirement, with your pension papers.
- ABHA: linking the CGHS ID with your ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) number was made mandatory from 1 April 2024, but the order was put on hold in June 2024. It is optional for now.
CGHS cities and wellness centres
A CGHS wellness centre is the local CGHS clinic, earlier called a dispensary. Each card is attached to one wellness centre, usually the one nearest your home. CGHS covers about 80 cities, and new cities are added from time to time.
- Step 1Open the CGHS websiteGo to cghs.mohfw.gov.in.
- Step 2Search Wellness CentreChoose your city or zone, and Allopathy or AYUSH.
- Step 3Empanelled Hospitals and LabsFilter by state, city, tier and NABH accreditation.
The official lists change often, so we do not copy them here. Check the CGHS website for the current list of cities, wellness centres and the CGHS hospital list before you go.
OPD and medicines at CGHS wellness centres
- Step 1See the doctorBook online or walk in to your wellness centre.
- Step 2Get medicinesMedicines are given at the centre, free.
- Step 3Tests and specialistsOn referral, at a government or empanelled hospital or lab.
- OPD (outpatient) care at the wellness centre has no extra charge beyond your contribution.
- If a prescribed medicine is not in stock, the centre arranges it through an authorised chemist.
- Many centres also have AYUSH doctors (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy).
- Online doctor consultations are also available through the government's e-Sanjeevani service.
CGHS referral to empanelled hospitals
For a specialist in a private empanelled hospital, you first need a referral from the medical officer at your wellness centre. The rules below are from the order of 28 June 2024.
- No referral is needed for central government hospitals such as AIIMS and other national institutes.
- Beneficiaries aged 70 and above get the special, easier rules that earlier started at 75.
- Procedures not on the CGHS rate list need permission: from CGHS for pensioners, and from the Head of Department for serving staff.
CGHS for pensioners: cashless treatment and lifetime card
Pensioners and family pensioners get cashless treatment (called the credit facility) at empanelled private hospitals. The hospital sends the bill to CGHS. Serving employees, in most cases, pay the hospital at CGHS rates and get the money back from their office.
Lifetime CGHS card: a pensioner can pay 120 months (10 years) of contribution at once and get a card for life. The rate is the one for the pay level held at retirement. Years already paid count: a pensioner who has paid for some years pays only the balance up to 10 years.
Example: Meena, retiring from Level 10. Meena retires from Level 10 and lives in Pune, a CGHS city. She pays the lifetime contribution once on Bharatkosh and applies for her pensioner card with her PPO. Her husband is on the same card.
- Rate at retirement
- ₹650 a month
- Paid once
- ₹78,000
- Same as paying yearly for
- 10 years
When a lifetime card holder dies, the card can move to the spouse with the right documents and no extra payment. Staff who retire under NPS or the Unified Pension Scheme can also apply for a pensioner CGHS card; check the eligibility with your office or the CGHS city office before you retire.
CGHS vs FMA for pensioners in non-CGHS cities
FMA, the Fixed Medical Allowance, is ₹1,000 a month (from 1 July 2017; it was ₹500 before that). It is paid with the pension to pensioners who live in a place with no CGHS, in place of CGHS OPD care. A pensioner in a non-CGHS town has three choices:
| Option | OPD (doctor, medicines) | Hospital stay |
|---|---|---|
| FMA only | ₹1,000 a month with the pension | Not covered by CGHS |
| FMA plus an "IPD only" CGHS card | ₹1,000 a month with the pension | Cashless in empanelled hospitals; full contribution is paid |
| Full CGHS card from the nearest CGHS city | At the CGHS wellness centre in that city | Cashless in empanelled hospitals |
Example: Rajesh, Level 6 pensioner. Rajesh lives in a small town with no CGHS. He takes FMA for his doctor visits. He also buys an "IPD only" CGHS card from the nearest CGHS city, so a hospital stay at an empanelled hospital is cashless.
- FMA in a year
- ₹12,000
- IPD card, yearly
- ₹5,400
- IPD card, lifetime
- ₹54,000
- The choice is made at retirement. You can change it only once in your lifetime.
- If you move to a CGHS city, FMA stops.
- An "IPD only" card also covers emergency hospital treatment at any hospital, paid back at CGHS rates.
- Pensioner groups have asked for FMA of ₹3,000 a month. This is a demand only. No increase had been notified as of November 2026.
CGHS package rates 2025 and reimbursement
CGHS pays hospitals fixed package rates for each procedure, test and hospital stay. The Health Ministry revised about 2,000 rates by an order of 3 October 2025, in force from 13 October 2025. This was the first full revision since 2014. Rates now depend on:
- City tier: Tier II cities are 10% and Tier III cities 20% below Tier I.
- Your ward: the rate is set for a semi-private ward. It is 5% lower for a general ward and 5% higher for a private ward.
- Hospital type: hospitals with NABH accreditation and super-speciality hospitals get higher rates than others.
For a procedure with a package rate of ₹1 lakh for a semi-private ward in a Tier I city (an example amount, not a real rate):
| City | General ward (-5%) | Semi-private ward (0%) | Private ward (+5%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier I city | ₹95,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹1,05,000 |
| Tier II city | ₹85,500 | ₹90,000 | ₹94,500 |
| Tier III city | ₹76,000 | ₹80,000 | ₹84,000 |
So in a Tier I city, a general ward beneficiary is covered for ₹95,000 and a private ward beneficiary for ₹1,05,000. Check the real rate for any procedure with the "CGHS Rate List" tool on the CGHS website.
- Step 1Keep every billOriginal bills, discharge summary and test reports.
- Step 2Fill the claim formWith the emergency certificate or referral, as the case may be.
- Step 3Submit itServing staff: to your office. Pensioners: to the CGHS Additional Director of your city.
- Step 4Get paid at CGHS ratesTrack the claim ID on the CGHS website or myCGHS app.
Reimbursement is at CGHS package rates, not the full bill. If a private hospital charges more than the package, the difference is usually not paid back.
CGHS emergency treatment
- Step 1Go to the nearest hospitalOn the CGHS list or not. No referral is needed in an emergency.
- Step 2Empanelled hospitalIt must not refuse admission or ask pensioners for an advance.
- Step 3Hospital not on the listPay the bill and claim it back at CGHS rates.
- Step 4Keep the papersThe emergency certificate, bills and discharge summary are needed for the claim.
The hospital gives an emergency certificate, which you attach to the claim. This page does not give medical advice. In an emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital first.
Recent CGHS changes in 2025 and 2026
| When | Change |
|---|---|
| 13 October 2025 | New package rates for about 2,000 procedures, by city tier, ward and hospital type |
| 2024 to 2026 | Digital CGHS card on the website, myCGHS app and DigiLocker, at par with the plastic card |
| June 2024 | Mandatory ABHA linking put on hold; linking is optional |
| September 2026 | Dependent transgender children and siblings covered at any age |
| 17 September 2026 | Distance limit removed for serving employees outside CGHS areas (one-time option, as reported) |
| 8th Pay Commission | Report not yet given; no change to CGHS contribution, ward bands or FMA notified |
CGHS: strengths and limits
- Yes: Covers the whole dependent family on one card
- Yes: Fixed contribution by pay level, not by age or illness
- Yes: No upper limit on cover like an insurance sum insured
- Yes: Cashless hospital treatment for pensioners
- Yes: Lifetime card for pensioners after one payment
- No: Only in CGHS cities; others rely on FMA or CS(MA)
- No: Specialist visits at private hospitals need a referral
- No: Reimbursement only at CGHS rates, not the full bill
- No: Not all private hospitals are on the list
CGHS vs CS(MA) vs FMA
| CGHS | CS(MA) Rules | FMA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For whom | Staff and pensioners in CGHS cities (and those who opt in) | Serving staff outside CGHS areas | Pensioners outside CGHS areas |
| How you pay | ₹250 to ₹1,000 a month | No contribution | No contribution |
| OPD | Free at wellness centres | Bills paid back | ₹1,000 a month instead |
| Hospital | Cashless for pensioners; staff claim back | Bills paid back at CGHS rates | Not covered (unless an IPD card is bought) |
Frequently asked questions
What is CGHS?
CGHS stands for Central Government Health Scheme. It gives health care to central government employees, pensioners and their dependent family members. It started in Delhi in 1954 and now runs in about 80 cities. Members pay a small monthly contribution and get doctor visits and medicines at CGHS wellness centres, and treatment at government and listed private hospitals.
What is the CGHS contribution per month?
It depends on your 7th Pay Commission pay level: ₹250 for Level 1 to 5, ₹450 for Level 6, ₹650 for Level 7 to 11, ₹1,000 for Level 12 and above. These rates were fixed on 9 January 2017 and had not been changed as of November 2026. For serving staff, it is cut from the salary every month.
What is the CGHS ward entitlement?
The ward you can use in a private hospital depends on your basic pay: general ward up to ₹36,500 a month, semi-private ward from ₹36,501 to ₹50,500, and private ward above ₹50,500. These bands apply from 28 October 2022. For a pensioner, it is the basic pay drawn at retirement.
How can pensioners get a lifetime CGHS card?
By paying 120 months (10 years) of contribution at once, at the rate of the pay level at retirement: ₹30,000 for Level 1 to 5, ₹54,000 for Level 6, ₹78,000 for Level 7 to 11, ₹1,20,000 for Level 12 and above. The payment is made on Bharatkosh, and the challan is attached to the application to the Additional Director, CGHS, of the city.
How do I get a CGHS card?
Serving employees apply online on the CGHS website, print the form, sign it, add photos and give it to their office, which sends it to CGHS. Pensioners apply to the Additional Director, CGHS, of their city with the PPO, ID proof, photos and the Bharatkosh challan. A retiring employee can apply 6 months before retirement.
Is the digital CGHS card valid?
Yes. Once the card is verified, the electronic CGHS card can be opened through Beneficiary Login on the CGHS website, the myCGHS app and DigiLocker. The Health Ministry's order of 27 June 2024 says it is at par with the plastic card. A new plastic card costs ₹100; a digital card is free.
Where can I find the CGHS hospital list?
On the official CGHS website, cghs.mohfw.gov.in. Use "Empanelled Hospitals and Labs" and filter by state, city, tier and accreditation. To find a wellness centre, use "Search Wellness Centre". The lists change often, so check them before you go.
Which is better for pensioners, CGHS or FMA?
FMA (Fixed Medical Allowance) is ₹1,000 a month, paid with the pension to pensioners who live where there is no CGHS. It is in place of CGHS OPD (outpatient) care. A pensioner can take FMA and also buy an "IPD only" CGHS card for hospital stays, by paying the full contribution. Which one suits a person depends on where they live and how often they need care.
How do I claim CGHS reimbursement?
Serving employees pay the hospital at CGHS rates and claim the money back from their own office. Pensioners usually get cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals. When a pensioner pays, for example in an emergency at a hospital that is not on the list, the claim goes to the Additional Director, CGHS, of the city, with the bills, discharge summary and the claim form. You get back the CGHS rate, not the full bill.
Can I go to any hospital in an emergency under CGHS?
Yes. In an emergency you can go to the nearest hospital, on the CGHS list or not, without a referral. Empanelled hospitals must not refuse admission or ask pensioners for an advance in an emergency. If the hospital is not on the list, the cost is paid back at CGHS rates.
Is linking ABHA with CGHS mandatory?
No, not as of November 2026. The Health Ministry made linking the CGHS beneficiary ID with ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) mandatory from 1 April 2024, but in June 2024 it put that order in abeyance. Linking is optional until a new order is issued.
Will the 8th Pay Commission change the CGHS contribution?
Nothing has been notified. The 8th Pay Commission had not given its report as of November 2026. The CGHS contribution and ward bands are still the ones linked to the 7th Pay Commission pay levels, and FMA is still ₹1,000 a month. Pensioner groups have asked for FMA of ₹3,000, but this is only a demand.