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CGHS Card (Central Government Health Scheme Plastic Card)

CGHS Unified Portal, myCGHS 2.0 app, 9-digit Ben ID, Wellness Centre OPD & cashless private hospital hospitalization

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📝 Reviewed by: India Docs Portal Editorial Team📅 Last updated: August 28, 2026Sources: Official .gov.in portals

Quick Answer

💡 The CGHS Card is a statutory health identity card issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to Central Government employees, pensioners, and their dependents. It provides comprehensive cashless medical treatment at CGHS Wellness Centres and thousands of empanelled private super-specialty hospitals nationwide. Beneficiaries can download their e-card via cghs.mohfw.gov.in or the myCGHS 2.0 app.

Quick Information

⏱️ Processing Time

e-CGHS Digital Card: 2–5 working days post-department approval | Plastic Card: Available via PDF download or myCGHS 2.0 app

💵 Fees

Serving Employees: Monthly salary deduction based on Pay Matrix Level (₹250 to ₹1,000/month) | Pensioners: 1-Year Annual fee or Lifetime Contribution (equivalent to 10 years of annual subscription paid via BharatKosh)

✅ Eligibility

All civilian employees paid from Central Civil Estimates, Central Government pensioners drawing pension via SPARSH / CPPC, and eligible dependents (spouse, children up to age 25 or until employed/married, and wholly dependent parents earning less than ₹9,000 + DA per month)

Who Needs This Document?

Serving Central Government civil employees, Central Government pensioners/family pensioners, Members of Parliament, Supreme/High Court judges, and eligible dependent family members residing in CGHS-covered cities

Required Documents

  • Last Pay Certificate (LPC) / Service ID card for serving employees, or Pension Payment Order (PPO) for pensioners
  • Aadhaar Card and PAN Card of primary employee and all dependent family members
  • Proof of Residential Address in a CGHS-notified covered city/zone
  • Passport-size individual photographs of all beneficiaries
  • Surrender / Deletion Certificate of previous CGHS card or CS(MA) medical facility (if transferred/retired)

How to Apply for CGHS Card (Central Government Health Scheme Plastic Card)

1

Register on CGHS Unified Portal (cghs.mohfw.gov.in)

Visit cghs.mohfw.gov.in and click 'Apply for CGHS Card'. Authenticate via mobile OTP.

2

Fill Serving / Pensioner Details & Wellness Centre

Enter your Ministry/Department, employee code, Pay Matrix level, permanent address, and select your nearest CGHS Wellness Centre as your parent dispensary.

3

Add Dependent Family Members

Enter details of spouse, children, and parents along with their Aadhaar coordinates and monthly income declarations.

4

Upload KYC & Service Documents

Upload scanned copies of PPO / LPC, residential address proof, and passport photos of all family members.

5

Department Approval & BharatKosh Payment

For serving employees, your DDO approves online. For pensioners, pay the 10-year lifetime subscription fee online via BharatKosh (bharatkosh.gov.in).

6

Generate 9-Digit Ben ID & Download e-CGHS Card

Upon verification, a unique 9-digit Beneficiary ID (Ben ID) is assigned to each member. Download the official color e-CGHS Plastic Card PDF or access it instantly on the myCGHS 2.0 app.

📝 How to Update CGHS Card (Central Government Health Scheme Plastic Card)

How to add a new dependent or update residential address on your active CGHS card:

1

Log In to Beneficiary Portal

Sign in at cghs.mohfw.gov.in using your Beneficiary ID and password.

2

Select 'Add Family Member / Modify Details'

Choose the amendment service under the card management menu.

3

Upload Proofs & DDO Endorsement

Attach marriage certificate (for spouse), birth certificate (for child), or address proof.

4

Download Amended e-Card

Once cleared by the Additional Director (CGHS), download the revised plastic card PDF.

⬇️ How to Download CGHS Card (Central Government Health Scheme Plastic Card)

Download an official digital e-CGHS Plastic Card PDF online:

1

Open CGHS Portal (cghs.mohfw.gov.in)

Click on 'Beneficiary Login' on the main portal.

2

Enter Beneficiary ID & Captcha

Input your 9-digit Ben ID and verify with mobile OTP.

3

Select 'Download Plastic Card / e-Card'

Choose all family members or specific individual beneficiary cards.

4

Save Color PDF or Open myCGHS 2.0

Save the printable PDF carrying high-security barcodes and wellness dispensary details.

🔍 How to Check CGHS Card (Central Government Health Scheme Plastic Card) Application Status

Track your CGHS card application and DDO approval status online:

1

Visit Application Tracking Page

Go to cghs.mohfw.gov.in and click 'Track Application Status'.

2

Enter Acknowledgment Number & Mobile

Input the reference ID received at the time of online application.

3

View Approval Lifecycle

Check whether your file is at 'DDO Verification', 'Additional Director Clearance', or 'Card Activated for Download'.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not updating child dependency status once an adult son reaches age 25 or gains employment (fraudulent card usage attracts recovery penalties)
  • Failing to surrender the serving CGHS card upon retirement before applying for a Pensioner CGHS card
  • Visiting an un-empanelled hospital for non-emergency routine treatments (reimbursement is strictly capped at standardized CGHS package rates)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CGHS Beneficiary ID (Ben ID) and how is it used?

A Beneficiary ID (Ben ID) is a unique 9-digit alphanumeric identifier assigned to every individual member under a CGHS card. It is used to book online doctor appointments at Wellness Centres, access digital prescriptions, track referrals on myCGHS 2.0, and authenticate cashless hospital admissions.

How to get cashless treatment at private empanelled hospitals under CGHS?

1) Visit your parent CGHS Wellness Centre and consult the Medical Officer. 2) Obtain an official online referral for specialized consultation or surgery. 3) Present your original e-CGHS plastic card and referral slip at the hospital's CGHS helpdesk for 100% cashless hospitalization (pensioners receive cashless IPD directly, while serving employees get cashless OPD/IPD or claim reimbursement through their department).

Can I download my CGHS Card online on a mobile phone?

YES. Download the official 'myCGHS 2.0' mobile app from Google Play Store / Apple App Store, sign in using your Beneficiary ID and registered mobile OTP, and download or display the official digital plastic card anytime.

Are dependent parents eligible for CGHS medical benefits?

YES. Parents (father, mother, or step-mother) are eligible as dependents provided: 1) They normally reside with the primary government employee/pensioner, and 2) Their combined recurring monthly income from all sources (pension, interest, rental) does NOT exceed ₹9,000 + Dearness Relief per month.

How to transfer a CGHS card when shifting from one city to another?

Submit an online transfer request on cghs.mohfw.gov.in. Choose 'Transfer Card', select your new city and new CGHS Wellness Centre, and upload your new residential address proof. Your existing 9-digit Ben ID remains unchanged and is seamlessly re-activated in the new zone.

📄 Related Documents

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