Health · Healthcare & Policy · 5 hrs ago
Widowed and divorced daughters can join parents’ CGHS cards after their death
The Health Ministry has changed the rules for the Central Government Health Scheme, or CGHS.
Eligible widowed or divorced daughters who return to live with their parents can now be added to their parents’ cards, even after the government employee or pensioner named on the original card dies.
The change applies to cards held by family pensioners, such as a surviving spouse.
Previously, there was no provision to add or reinstate dependent family members after the original cardholder’s death.
The change is intended to help parents support daughters with no independent income who need medical care.
The benefit is not automatic: officials will check each daughter’s marital status, income and dependency.
Other CGHS eligibility rules still apply, and the ministry has circulated the order to central government ministries and departments and the CGHS director general.
The health ministry has allowed eligible widowed and divorced daughters to be added to or reinstated on parents’ CGHS cards after the original cardholder dies.
The change applies to cards held by family pensioners.
The benefit is for dependent daughters without independent income who return to live with their parents.
Authorities will verify marital status, income and dependency, and the benefit is not automatic.
Other CGHS eligibility conditions remain in force.
- Who
- Eligible widowed and divorced daughters of deceased government employees or pensioners.
- What
- They may be added to or reinstated on parents’ CGHS cards, subject to verification.
- When
- The ministry’s order was issued on Oct. 28; the article was published on Oct. 31, 2026.
- Where
- India, under the Central Government Health Scheme.
- Why
- The change addresses difficulties faced by pensioners supporting dependent daughters who need medical care.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The health ministry issued an order allowing eligible daughters to be added to or reinstated on family pensioners’ CGHS cards.
It was circulated to all central government ministries and departments and the Director General of CGHS.
- Scheme
- Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
- Eligible daughters
- Widowed and divorced
- Cardholder’s status
- Original government employee or pensioner has died
- Verification
- Marital status, income and dependency
- Order date
- Oct. 28