Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Centre Removes Location-Based CGHS Eligibility Restrictions for Employees
CGHS is a healthcare programme for serving and retired Central government employees and eligible family members.
It began in Delhi in 1954 and later expanded to other cities.
A new government rule changes who can choose CGHS.
Employees who live or work outside CGHS-covered areas can now choose to join.
They must meet the other rules and pay the required contribution.
Their choice can be made only once and cannot be changed later.
The choice also applies to their eligible family members.
A family cannot use CGHS and the Central Services Medical Attendance Rules for different members at the same time.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare removed geographical restrictions on CGHS eligibility for serving Central government employees.
Employees living or posted outside CGHS-covered areas may exercise a one-time option to join the scheme.
Joining requires meeting applicable eligibility conditions and paying the prescribed CGHS contribution or subscription.
The principal beneficiary’s choice applies to all eligible dependants and cannot be split within the family.
Employees who do not opt in remain under the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, while employees in covered areas remain mandatorily enrolled in CGHS.
- Who
- Serving Central government employees living or posted outside CGHS-covered areas, along with their eligible dependants.
- What
- The government removed the geographical restriction for eligible serving employees to opt for CGHS.
- When
- The change was announced in an Office Memorandum dated 17 September 2026 and took effect immediately.
- Where
- It applies to employees residing or posted outside the prescribed geographical coverage of CGHS, including cities not covered by the scheme.
- Why
- The decision followed a review of difficulties faced by employees outside CGHS coverage.
- Announcing authority
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Memorandum date
- 17 September 2026
- Eligibility change
- The geographical criterion for serving Central government employees was removed.
- Option
- Eligible employees outside covered areas may make a one-time, final choice to join CGHS.
- Payment
- Prescribed CGHS contribution or subscription remains payable regardless of residence or posting.
- Family coverage
- The principal beneficiary’s choice applies to all eligible dependants.
- Alternative benefits
- Employees who do not opt in remain governed by the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944.
- CGHS scale
- CGHS covered 81 cities and nearly 46.87 lakh beneficiaries in 2024-25.
