Archive · 14 Jan 2026
Delhi HC Enhances EWS Income Criteria for Hospital Treatment
The Delhi High Court has increased the income limit for people who can get free treatment in government and certain private hospitals.
Now, families earning up to Rs 5 lakh a year can get free healthcare.
Before, the limit was Rs 2.20 lakh.
The court told the government to tell everyone about this change.
This is part of a case the court started in 2017 to improve healthcare in Delhi.
The court also asked AIIMS to fix problems like not having enough doctors and equipment.
Delhi High Court increased EWS income threshold to Rs 5 lakh annually for free hospital treatment.
Applicable at all government hospitals and private hospitals built on concessional land.
Previous threshold was Rs 2.20 lakh annually.
Court directed authorities to publicize the enhancement for citizen awareness.
Change follows court's 2017 suo motu case on critical care deficiencies in government hospitals.
- Who
- Delhi High Court and Delhi Government
- What
- Enhanced EWS income criteria for free hospital treatment
- When
- January 8 (order), January 2 (DGHS order)
- Where
- Delhi, India
- Why
- To increase accessibility to free healthcare for more citizens
- Income Threshold
- Rs 5 lakh annually
- Applicable Hospitals
- Government and private hospitals on concessional land
- Previous Threshold
- Rs 2.20 lakh annually
- Order Date
- January 8
- Case Initiation Year
- 2017
- Amicus Curiae
- Lawyer Ashok Agarwal
- Committee
- Dr S K Sarin committee