Direct answer. Visit cghs.gov.in → Login → enter Beneficiary ID OR mobile. CGHS covers central government employees, pensioners, and dependents — currently in 75 cities + select towns. Card is mandatory for cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals.
| What you need | Beneficiary ID OR mobile + DOB |
| Official portal | cghs.gov.in / cghs.nic.in |
| City coverage | 75 cities (2026) |
| Empanelled hospitals | List at cghs.gov.in/empanelled |
| Mobile app | My CGHS (Android/iOS) |
| SLA — new card | 15-30 days post submission |
| Helpline | CGHS Toll-free: 1800-208-9988 · City-wise: cghs.gov.in |
| [email protected] | |
| Statutory base | CGHS Manual + MoHFW directives |
What we hear from RTI Wiki users: Ms. Devi, a 71-year-old central govt pensioner in Hyderabad, lost her CGHS card. Tried to apply for replacement; status said “Pending verification” for 47 days. She filed an RTI to AD-CGHS Hyderabad asking application status + officer-in-charge + reason for delay. Reply in 23 days revealed her HoO endorsement was missing (DD signature pending). She got endorsement; replacement card issued in 12 days.
pay first + claim reimbursement via Form Med-97 within 6 months. Approval typically 60-180 days.
CGHS Toll-free: 1800-208-9988 · City-wise AD-CGHS offices · [email protected] · My CGHS app helpdesk
The official SLA on this service is published. If your status is stuck beyond it, you have a statutory right under §6 RTI Act 2005 to demand information from the public authority. Reply mandatory in 30 days.
File an RTI to: Additional Director CGHS (AD-CGHS) of your city
Ask these 5 questions:
→ Use our free AI RTI Drafter to generate a complete §6(1) application in 60 seconds. The Drafter pre-fills your name, address, fee statement, and the 5 questions above.
→ Or speak it in हिन्दी / English / 9 other Indian languages via AwaazRTI.
→ For deeper case-law on this scenario: Read the full RTI guide for cghs empanelment.
Central government employees + pensioners + dependents. Not state govt employees (they have state schemes).
Free for serving employees. Pensioners pay annual subscription based on grade pay (Rs. 1,000-3,000/year).
Use Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) of Rs. 1,000/month. Reimbursement under restricted heads.
Yes — temporary attachment via the city's AD-CGHS, for max 6 months.
Yes — universal Ayushman Bharat coverage announced 2024 for all 70+; layers on top of CGHS.
To check status: use the official portal listed above with your reference number. SLA is published; if stuck beyond it, file a free RTI.
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.