CGHS: Healthcare Scheme for Central Government Employees
What Is CGHS and Why Does It Matter?
The Central Government Health Scheme, universally known as CGHS, is one of India's oldest and most comprehensive government healthcare programmes. It was established on 1st July 1954 and operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. For over seven decades, CGHS has been the dedicated healthcare backbone for central government employees, their families, and retired pensioners — providing them access to quality medical care without the financial stress that typically accompanies treatment in private hospitals.
CGHS is unique because it does not just cover hospitalisation. Unlike most insurance-based schemes, CGHS provides a full continuum of care: outpatient consultations at Wellness Centres, specialist referrals, medicines at government dispensaries, diagnostic tests, hospitalisation at empanelled hospitals, and reimbursement for approved medical expenses — all under a single scheme. It also covers Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Naturopathy (AYUSH) treatments, giving beneficiaries the choice of medical system.
As of now, CGHS covers approximately 42 lakh beneficiaries across 80 cities in India. The annual budget for CGHS stands at ₹2,370 crore for the financial year 2025-26.
| Scheme Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Central Government Health Scheme |
| Abbreviation | CGHS |
| Established | 1st July 1954 |
| Administered By | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India |
| Number of Beneficiaries | Approximately 42 lakh |
| Cities Covered | 80 cities across India |
| Medical Systems Covered | Allopathy, Homeopathy, AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Naturopathy) |
| Official Website | cghs.gov.in |
| National Helpline | 24x7 CGHS Helpline (available on cghs.gov.in) |
| Annual Budget (2025-26) | ₹2,370 crore |
Who Is Eligible for CGHS?
CGHS is specifically for serving and retired central government employees and a defined set of constitutional and institutional beneficiaries. It is not a poverty-based scheme — eligibility here is based on your employment status with the Central Government of India or constitutional position. Both male and female beneficiaries are equally covered.
| Category of Eligible Beneficiaries | Important Conditions |
|---|---|
| Serving Central Government Employees | Must be residing in a CGHS-covered city. Dependent family members also covered |
| Retired Central Government Pensioners | No city restriction. Can subscribe after retirement even if posted elsewhere during service |
| Members of Parliament (MPs) | Both sitting and former MPs, including their dependent family members |
| Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts | Including sitting and retired judges and their families |
| Former Presidents and Vice-Presidents of India | Including dependents |
| Former Governors and Lieutenant Governors | Including dependents |
| Freedom Fighters | Including dependents |
| CAPF and CISF Personnel (posted in CGHS cities) | Including their families |
| Employees of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee | As per government approval |
| Employees of India Pharmacopoeia Commission | Including their families |
| Railway and Armed Forces Pensioners | Excluded from CGHS — covered under their own separate schemes |
Dependent Family Members Covered:
| Dependent Relation | Eligibility Condition |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Always covered |
| Dependent Parents | Must be financially dependent on the employee |
| Sons | Up to 25 years of age; covered beyond 25 if physically or mentally disabled |
| Unmarried Daughters | Covered; married daughters are not eligible |
| Married Son | Not eligible under CGHS |
| Dependent Sisters and Brothers | Only in exceptional cases as per CGHS rules |
The income limit for dependency — the maximum income a dependent can earn while still being covered — was last revised in November 2016. Beneficiaries must check the current dependency income limit on the official CGHS portal as it is subject to revision.
What Benefits Does CGHS Provide?
CGHS provides comprehensive, end-to-end healthcare coverage — not just hospitalisation. This makes it one of the most holistic government health schemes in India. The scheme covers outpatient care, specialist consultations, inpatient treatment, medicines, diagnostic investigations, and alternative medicine, all through a network of CGHS Wellness Centres and empanelled hospitals.
| Benefit Type | What Is Covered |
|---|---|
| OPD Consultations | Doctor consultations at CGHS Wellness Centres — free of cost |
| Specialist Referrals | Referral to government or empanelled specialist hospitals |
| Medicines | Free medicines dispensed at CGHS Wellness Centres for approved prescriptions |
| Diagnostic Tests | Blood tests, X-rays, scans, and investigations at empanelled diagnostic centres |
| Hospitalisation | Cashless treatment at empanelled private hospitals; treatment at government hospitals at no cost |
| Emergency Treatment | Coverage at empanelled hospitals |
| Post-hospitalisation | Follow-up care and medicines |
| AYUSH Treatment | Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Naturopathy covered |
| Dental Treatment | Covered at CGHS Wellness Centres for basic dental procedures |
| Reimbursement | Medical expenses at non-empanelled hospitals reimbursed (with prior approval or emergency basis) |
| Family Planning | Covered under standard medical care |
Ward Entitlement based on Pay Scale:
The ward entitlement — whether a beneficiary gets a general ward, semi-private, or private room during hospitalisation — is determined by the employee's pay level in the pay matrix. Pensioners' entitlement is based on the last pay drawn.
Contribution Rates:
CGHS is not entirely free. Beneficiaries contribute a monthly amount that is deducted from salary (for serving employees) or paid in advance as a lump sum (for pensioners). The contribution amount is based on the pay level:
| Pay Level / Pension Amount | Monthly CGHS Contribution (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Level 1 to 5 (basic pay up to ₹47,600) | ₹250 per month |
| Level 6 (basic pay ₹35,400–₹1,12,400) | ₹450 per month |
| Level 7 to 11 (basic pay ₹44,900–₹2,18,200) | ₹650 per month |
| Level 12 and above (basic pay ₹78,800 and above) | ₹1,000 per month |
Pensioners can also opt for a lifetime contribution at the time of retirement in lieu of monthly payment. Exact and updated rates must be confirmed from the official CGHS website.
Where Can You Apply and How Does the Process Work?
CGHS registration is done through the official CGHS portal for new beneficiaries, or in person at the nearest CGHS Wellness Centre. Both online and offline registration processes are available.
For Serving Employees:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Download the application form from cghs.gov.in under "Application Forms for Plastic Card" |
| Step 2 | Fill in details of self and all dependent family members |
| Step 3 | Attach required documents (passport-size photos of all family members, ID proofs, dependency proofs) |
| Step 4 | Submit to your Administrative Ministry/Department for forwarding to the CGHS Wellness Centre |
| Step 5 | A CGHS Plastic Card (beneficiary card) is issued to each eligible member |
For Pensioners:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Download the pensioner application form from cghs.gov.in |
| Step 2 | Attach attested copy of Pension Payment Order (PPO) and last pay certificate |
| Step 3 | Submit to the nearest CGHS Wellness Centre in your city |
| Step 4 | Choose between monthly contribution or lump-sum lifetime contribution |
| Step 5 | CGHS Plastic Card issued upon verification |
Online services including appointment booking, teleconsultation, and card renewal are available through the CGHS beneficiary login portal at cghs.gov.in.
Documents Required
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| CGHS Application Form (downloaded from cghs.gov.in) | Primary application |
| Recent Passport-Size Photographs | For all eligible family members |
| Aadhaar Card | Identity proof for all members |
| Service or Pension Proof | Service ID card for serving employees; PPO and last pay certificate for pensioners |
| Dependency Proof | Income declaration for dependent parents; birth certificate for children |
| Disability Certificate | If applying for a dependent son over 25 years due to disability |
Real Value for Patients — What This Means in Plain Language
If you are a serving central government employee at any pay level — or a retired pensioner — this scheme is your healthcare safety net for life. You do not need to buy any private health insurance. When your parent develops a heart condition, you take them to a CGHS Wellness Centre for a consultation, get a referral, and the treatment happens cashlessly at an empanelled hospital. Your medicines for chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension are dispensed free at the Wellness Centre every month. Diagnostic tests are covered. Even if you opt for Ayurvedic or Homoeopathic treatment, CGHS covers it.
For retired pensioners, the most important thing to know is this: CGHS coverage does not end when you retire. You can subscribe to CGHS as a pensioner regardless of which city you retire to, provided it is a CGHS-covered city. As of now, CGHS is operational in 80 cities. If your retirement city is not covered, you remain eligible for Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) instead.
Official Links and Support
| Resource | Link / Contact |
|---|---|
| Official CGHS Portal | cghs.gov.in |
| CGHS Ministry Portal | cghs.mohfw.gov.in |
| Beneficiary Login | cghs.gov.in (Beneficiary Login section) |
| Application Forms Download | cghs.gov.in (Downloads section) |
| myScheme Page | myscheme.gov.in (search: Central Government Health Scheme) |
| National CGHS Helpline (24x7) | Available on cghs.gov.in homepage |
| Empanelled Hospital Search | cghs.gov.in (Search for Empanelled Hospitals section) |
| Teleconsultation Booking | cghs.gov.in (Teleconsultation section) |
