2 weeks ago
Karnataka Cabinet Approves Sandhya Kiran Cashless Healthcare Scheme for Pensioners
The Karnataka government started a new program called Sandhya Kiran.
It helps retired government workers get healthcare.
Retired workers who are younger than 70 years old can join.
Their family members can join too.
The program lets them get hospital treatment without paying at the hospital.
Each family can get up to five lakh rupees of medical care every year.
Retired workers pay a small part of their pension for the program.
The government also pays some of the money.
The program covers many treatments, like emergencies and hospital stays.
This helps retired people feel safe and not worry about big hospital bills.
The Karnataka Cabinet approved the 'Sandhya Kiran' contributory cashless healthcare scheme for state pensioners under 70 years of age, family pensioners, and eligible dependents.
The initial phase will cover about 3.11 lakh State Government pensioners and their eligible dependents, totaling roughly 4.93 lakh beneficiaries.
The scheme provides cashless secondary, tertiary, and emergency medical treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per eligible family per year on a floater basis.
Service pensioners will contribute 1.25% of their basic pension, while family pensioners will contribute 0.75% of their basic family pension.
Estimated annual premium collection is ₹117 crore against treatment costs of about ₹81.75 crore, with 70% met by beneficiaries and 30% by the State Government.
- Who
- Karnataka State Government pensioners under 70 years, family pensioners, and their eligible dependents; the State Cabinet approved the scheme, with the Chief Minister's Office issuing a press release.
- What
- Launch of 'Sandhya Kiran,' a contributory cashless healthcare scheme providing secondary, tertiary, and emergency treatment coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per eligible family per year.
- Where
- Karnataka; the approval was announced in Bengaluru following the Cabinet meeting.
- When
- Approved by the Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday, with the approval reported on August 14, 2026.
- Why
- To provide health and financial security to retired State Government employees and reduce the financial burden of unexpected medical expenses.
Key facts
- Scheme name
- Sandhya Kiran
- Scheme type
- Contributory cashless healthcare scheme (secondary, tertiary, and emergency care)
- Initial beneficiaries
- About 4.93 lakh, including approximately 3.11 lakh pensioners under 70 years
- Coverage limit
- Up to ₹5 lakh per eligible family per year on a floater basis
- Premium contributions
- 1.25% of basic pension (service pensioners); 0.75% of basic family pension (family pensioners)
- Estimated annual premium collection
- ₹117 crore
- Estimated annual treatment cost
- ₹81.75 crore (₹57.22 crore beneficiary share, ₹24.53 crore State Government share)
- Implementing agency
- Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST), under AB-ArK regulations
Quotes
Chief Minister's Office
Office of Karnataka's Chief Minister
“"This scheme is a vital social security measure ensuring quality, affordable and cashless healthcare services for State Government pensioners and their families, helping significantly reduce the financial burden of unexpected medical expenses,"”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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