Archive · 13 Dec 2025
Supreme Court Extends Insurance to Private Doctors
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that families of private doctors who died while working during the Covid-19 pandemic should be included in the government's insurance scheme.
This scheme provides Rs 50 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives.
The court said that doctors' services were needed during the pandemic, and they should not be left out because of technical details like official orders.
The court also said that each case will be looked at individually to see if the doctor was indeed working on Covid-19 duties when they died.
The court praised doctors for their bravery during the pandemic.
The Bombay High Court had previously dismissed a similar plea, but the Supreme Court overturned this decision, stating that the context of the pandemic should be considered.
The Supreme Court ruled that families of private doctors who died during Covid-19 duties should be included in the Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme.
The ruling was made in an appeal filed by the widow of Dr B.S. Surgade, a private practitioner who died in June 2020.
The Bombay High Court had previously dismissed her plea, stating that Dr Surgade's work was not officially 'requisitioned' as Covid duty.
The Supreme Court held that the insurance scheme should not be denied based on technicalities and that the context of the pandemic should be considered.
The court clarified that entitlement under the scheme remains case-specific and depends on evidence that the deceased was performing Covid-19-related duties.
- Who
- Families of private doctors and health professionals who died during Covid-19 duties
- What
- Inclusion in the Centre's Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme
- When
- The ruling was made on December 11, 2023
- Where
- Supreme Court of India
- Why
- To ensure that families of doctors who lost their lives during Covid-19 duties are not deprived of benefits due to technicalities
- Insurance Scheme
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY)
- Insurance Amount
- Rs 50 lakh
- Appeal Filed By
- Widow of Dr B.S. Surgade
- Key Judges
- Justices P.S. Narasimha and R. Mahadevan
- Previous Court Decision
- Bombay High Court dismissed the plea
- Reason for Inclusion
- Doctors' services were requisitioned during the pandemic
- Doctor's Status
- Private practitioner
- Date of Death
- June 2020
Sources
Private Doctors Lost On Covid Duty Should Be Included In Centre's Insurance Scheme: Supreme Court
‘Nation can’t forget COVID-19 heroes’: Supreme Court extends Rs 50 insurance benefit to private doctors
‘Nation can’t forget COVID-19 heroes’: Supreme Court extends Rs 50 lakh insurance benefit to private doctors
‘Unwavering heroes’: SC hails doctors, sets aside Bombay HC order on Covid insurance claim
Ashok Gehlot welcomes SC ruling on insurance for doctors who died on duty during COVID-19
