═══════ HERO ═══════
Central Government Health Scheme • 7th CPC
Calculate your monthly CGHS contribution, ward entitlement, annual premium, and pensioner lifetime card cost based on your 7th CPC pay level.
4.26M+Beneficiaries
80 CitiesCGHS Coverage
1,500+Empanelled Hospitals
480+Wellness Centres
₹250–₹1,000Monthly Range
═══════ CALCULATOR ═══════
CGHS Calculator
Serving Employees, Pensioners & Family Pensioners
Auto-filled from level or enter manually
Used to estimate total monthly paid vs. lifetime cost
Family pensioner pays the same subscription as the pensioner would have paid.
📊 CGHS Entitlement & Contribution Summary
═══════ INFO SECTIONS ═══════
CGHS Subscription & Entitlement Guide
Complete reference for contribution rates, ward entitlements and benefits
💳 Monthly Contribution Rates (7th CPC)
| Pay Level | Monthly Contribution | Annual | Lifetime Card (Pensioner) | Ward Entitlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1–5 | ₹250/month | ₹3,000 | ₹30,000 (one-time) | General Ward |
| Level 6 | ₹450/month | ₹5,400 | ₹54,000 (one-time) | General Ward |
| Level 7–11 | ₹650/month | ₹7,800 | ₹78,000 (one-time) | General / Semi-Private* |
| Level 12 and above | ₹1,000/month | ₹12,000 | ₹1,20,000 (one-time) | Private Ward |
*Ward entitlement by basic pay (not level): Up to ₹47,600 → General | ₹47,601–₹63,100 → Semi-Private | ₹63,101+ → Private. Level 7 starts at ₹44,900 (General), but promotion within level may push to Semi-Private.
🛏️ Ward Entitlement in Empanelled Hospitals
| Ward Type | Basic Pay Range | Pay Level (Approx.) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Ward | Up to ₹47,600 | Level 1 to 7 (lower stages) | Shared room, 4–6 beds, standard nursing |
| Semi-Private | ₹47,601 – ₹63,100 | Level 8 – Level 10 (lower stages) | 2–3 beds, attached toilet, better nursing |
| Private Ward | ₹63,101 and above | Level 11 and above | Single room, AC, attendant cot, TV |
✅ What CGHS Covers
OPD
Outpatient Treatment
Consultation at wellness centres, medicines from CGHS dispensary, specialist referral to empanelled hospitals.
IPD
Inpatient / Hospitalisation
Cashless admission in empanelled private hospitals up to ward entitlement. Pre- and post-hospitalisation covered (30 days before, 60 days after).
DIAG
Diagnostics & Lab
Blood tests, X-rays, MRI, CT scans, ultrasound, ECG at CGHS-approved rates. Same rate regardless of ward entitlement.
AYUSH
AYUSH Treatment
Covers Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Yoga. Dedicated CGHS AYUSH dispensaries in major cities.
DENTAL
Dental & Eye Care
Dental treatment at empanelled dental clinics. Spectacles reimbursable every 3 years (₹900 for frames + ₹900 for lenses).
EMRG
Emergency Treatment
Emergency treatment even at non-empanelled hospitals. Reimbursement at CGHS rates applies. No prior permission required for emergencies.
🗺️ CGHS Covered Cities (80 Cities)
CGHS operates in 80 cities across India. Employees posted outside these cities are entitled to reimbursement under CS(MA) Rules.
Tier IDelhi NCR
Tier IMumbai
Tier IChennai
Tier IKolkata
Tier IBengaluru
Tier IHyderabad
Tier IPune
Tier IAhmedabad
Tier IIJaipur
Tier IILucknow
Tier IIBhopal
Tier IIPatna
Tier IIChandigarh
Tier IINagpur
Tier IIIndore
Tier IIKochi
Tier IIIDehradun
Tier IIIBhubaneswar
Tier IIIGuwahati
Tier IIIShimla
📝 How to Apply for CGHS Card
1
Obtain Form: Download CGHS application form from cghs.gov.in or collect from your nearest CGHS Wellness Centre.
2
Documents: Fill form with basic pay details, attach service certificate/PPO, Aadhaar, passport photos (self + dependents), and relationship proof.
3
Submit to DDO: Serving employees submit to their Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO). Pensioners submit directly to the CGHS office or online at cghs.nic.in.
4
Card Issuance: Plastic CGHS card (Beneficiary ID card) issued within 7–15 working days. Card has unique CGHS ID linked to Aadhaar.
5
Enrolment at Wellness Centre: Visit preferred CGHS Wellness Centre to register. Download CGHS mobile app for digital card and OPD appointment booking.
🔄 Reimbursement for Non-CGHS Cities
CS(MA) Rules 1944
Employees in non-CGHS cities are covered under CS(MA) Rules. They can get reimbursement for medical expenses at Central Govt. rates. CGHS subscription still deducted.
Emergency Reimbursement
Reimbursement is admissible at CGHS rates even in non-CGHS areas for emergencies. Non-emergency requires referral from the controlling authority.
Pensioners Outside CGHS Cities
Pensioners living outside CGHS cities can opt for Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) of ₹1,000/month in lieu of CGHS subscription — no need to visit wellness centre.
🔗 Related Government Pay & Pension Tools
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Pay Matrix Calculator
Check your exact 7th CPC Level and current Basic Pay.
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Pension Calculator
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Family Pension Calculator
Estimate eligible family pension amount.
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Revised Pension Calculator
Review revised pension after pay changes.
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7th CPC Salary Calculator
Compare CGHS deduction with monthly salary.
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Gross vs Net Salary
Understand how payroll deductions affect take-home.
═══════ FAQ ═══════
📘 How to Use the CGHS Calculator Correctly
Choose the correct category first: Serving Employee, Pensioner or Family Pensioner. Each tab uses a different input structure because serving employees are linked to current Pay Level and Basic Pay, while pensioner calculations focus on the applicable subscription bracket and card option. Selecting the right tab keeps employee deductions, retirement costs and family pensioner contribution rules separate.
For serving employees, select the current 7th CPC Pay Level and then verify the Basic Pay. The page auto-fills the minimum Basic Pay for that Level, but an employee who has already received annual increments or promotion may be drawing a higher amount. Enter the Basic Pay shown on the latest salary statement so ward entitlement is calculated from the correct figure.
Next, choose the city tier and review the additional options. A non-CGHS posting changes the treatment pathway toward reimbursement, while an employee approaching retirement may want to compare the future lifetime card cost. These options help interpret the result without changing the underlying fixed subscription bracket.
For pensioners and family pensioners, select the applicable Level group and choose monthly contribution or lifetime card where available. The calculator provides a cost comparison, but final eligibility and card status should still be checked against the actual CGHS and pension records.
💳 How CGHS Monthly Subscription Is Determined
CGHS subscription is grouped into fixed 7th CPC Pay Level brackets. Lower Levels pay a smaller monthly contribution while higher Levels pay more. The amount is not calculated as a percentage of Basic Pay, so a normal annual increment within the same contribution bracket may leave the monthly CGHS deduction unchanged.
A promotion can change the subscription if it moves the employee into a higher bracket. For example, movement from one grouped Level range to another can trigger a revised fixed deduction from payroll. This is why the Level input is the primary driver of the monthly contribution shown by the calculator.
Basic Pay still matters because ward entitlement is checked separately. Two employees can pay the same CGHS subscription but receive different ward categories if their Basic Pay is on opposite sides of the applicable threshold. The calculator therefore keeps Level and Basic Pay as separate inputs.
If you need to verify the Level and current matrix cell before using this page, use the Pay Matrix Calculator. Once the Level and Basic Pay are confirmed, the CGHS contribution and ward entitlement can be reviewed together.
🛏️ Ward Entitlement and Basic Pay
Ward entitlement applies mainly to inpatient accommodation and is different from the monthly CGHS subscription. The calculator uses Basic Pay thresholds to classify the likely entitlement as General, Semi-Private or Private Ward. This means the ward category can change even when the fixed monthly CGHS contribution does not.
An employee may remain in the same Level bracket for CGHS subscription while progressing to a higher Basic Pay through annual increments. If the Basic Pay crosses a ward threshold, the inpatient entitlement can improve without any change in the monthly contribution rate.
For pensioners, the relevant ward entitlement is tied to the Basic Pay basis at retirement. Using an unrelated current salary or notional figure can therefore produce the wrong result. The most reliable input is the last drawn Basic Pay reflected in retirement records.
Ward entitlement should not be treated as a summary of every CGHS benefit. OPD consultation, medicines, diagnostics and day-care procedures follow their own rules and are not simply determined by the ward label.
👴 Pensioner Monthly Subscription vs Lifetime Card
Pensioners can compare a continuing monthly subscription with a one-time lifetime CGHS card. The calculator uses the applicable monthly bracket and the corresponding lifetime amount so the two choices can be compared over time.
The lifetime option can become financially attractive over a long retirement period because it replaces repeated monthly contributions with one upfront payment. The calculator also shows a break-even estimate using the years since retirement, which makes the comparison easier to understand.
Cost is not the only consideration. Some pensioners may prefer the smaller recurring deduction, while others may prefer a single lifetime payment for simplicity and certainty. The best choice depends on cash flow, retirement plans and existing card status.
For wider retirement planning, use the 7th CPC Pension Calculator or Revised Pension Calculator alongside this page. Those tools estimate pension income, while this page focuses on CGHS healthcare contribution.
👨👩👧 Family Pensioner CGHS Contribution
Family pensioners generally use the contribution bracket connected to the employee or pensioner at the relevant stage. The calculator therefore asks for the Pay Level group of the deceased employee and then applies the matching monthly or lifetime CGHS amount.
Contribution and ward entitlement should be viewed separately. The subscription amount follows the applicable bracket, while ward entitlement depends on the relevant Basic Pay basis. Pension documents such as PPO and previous pay records are therefore useful when confirming the correct CGHS category.
If you are comparing healthcare contribution with total family pension income, use the Family Pension Calculator. The two tools answer different questions: one estimates medical-scheme contribution and the other estimates pension income.
The result is best used for planning and record checking. Final dependents, card eligibility and documentation should always be matched with the actual CGHS and pension records.
🏥 Understanding the Value of CGHS Coverage
CGHS contribution is not simply a payroll deduction. It provides access to healthcare services for eligible beneficiaries through wellness centres, empanelled hospitals and reimbursement mechanisms. Looking at the deduction together with the available services gives a clearer picture of the benefit.
OPD care includes consultation, medicines and referral pathways. Inpatient care can include cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals subject to applicable rules and ward entitlement. Diagnostics, dental care, eye care and AYUSH services form separate parts of the overall scheme.
Emergency treatment can follow a different process from planned treatment. The calculator does not estimate reimbursement for a specific hospital bill, but the page explains that emergency cases may be handled differently from scheduled admissions and referrals.
For budgeting, it is useful to treat CGHS as part of total employment or retirement benefits rather than only as a monthly deduction. The financial value of healthcare coverage can be much larger than the recurring subscription in years when significant treatment is required.
🔄 Non-CGHS City and Reimbursement Mode
Employees posted outside a CGHS-covered city may still be covered through reimbursement arrangements. The page includes a non-CGHS option so users can distinguish between the monthly subscription and the way treatment expenses are handled.
In reimbursement mode, the employee may first pay eligible medical costs and then claim the admissible amount under the relevant rules. This is different from direct cashless treatment at an empanelled hospital in a CGHS city, so the same treatment process should not be assumed in every location.
Pensioners living outside CGHS cities may also compare the Fixed Medical Allowance option where applicable. This is a separate retirement-healthcare choice and depends on residence and eligibility rather than only on the CGHS subscription bracket.
When planning for retirement or transfer, compare the likely CGHS cost, lifetime-card option and location-specific healthcare arrangement together. This gives a more practical picture than looking at the monthly contribution alone.
🧾 CGHS Example: Level, Basic Pay and Ward Entitlement
Consider a serving employee in Level 7 with Basic Pay of ₹44,900. The monthly CGHS subscription falls in the Level 7–11 bracket, while ward entitlement is checked separately from Basic Pay. At this Basic Pay, the ward category remains in the lower entitlement range even though the monthly subscription is higher than Level 6.
If the same employee progresses to a higher Basic Pay within Level 7, the monthly CGHS contribution may remain unchanged while ward entitlement can improve after the relevant threshold is crossed. This is exactly why the calculator asks for both Pay Level and Basic Pay.
If the employee is promoted to a higher contribution bracket, recalculate using the new Level and the post-fixation Basic Pay. For a promotion case, first verify pay movement with the 7th CPC Pay Fixation Calculator, then return here to check the updated healthcare deduction and ward category.
⚠️ Common CGHS Calculation Mistakes
A common mistake is leaving the auto-filled minimum Basic Pay unchanged even when the employee is already at a higher cell. This can produce the wrong ward entitlement. Always replace the minimum with the actual Basic Pay from the latest salary statement when available.
Another mistake is assuming every promotion automatically changes the CGHS subscription. The deduction changes only when the employee moves into a different contribution bracket. A promotion within the same bracket may leave the monthly contribution unchanged even though Basic Pay and ward entitlement improve.
Pensioners may also compare monthly and lifetime options without considering how long they have already been retired. The calculator’s break-even view helps with this comparison, but cash-flow preference and current card status should also be considered.
Finally, treat this page as a calculator and planning guide, not as an official entitlement certificate. Actual card status, dependents, reimbursement eligibility and ward category should be checked against service, pension and CGHS records.
✅ CGHS Verification Checklist
Before relying on the result, confirm the employee or pensioner category, current Pay Level, actual Basic Pay, city status and card type. For pensioners, also check the Pay Level at retirement and whether a lifetime card has already been purchased. For family pensioners, use the deceased employee’s relevant pay and pension records.
Then compare the calculator result with the CGHS deduction shown on the salary or pension statement. If the monthly contribution matches but ward entitlement differs, re-check the Basic Pay threshold. If the contribution itself differs, verify the correct Level bracket and payroll category.
Keep a copy of the calculation when promotion, retirement or relocation occurs. This makes it easier to compare the old and new subscription, understand any change in ward entitlement and identify whether the healthcare arrangement has moved from normal CGHS access to reimbursement mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common queries about CGHS eligibility, benefits, and contributions
What is CGHS and who is eligible?▾
CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) is a comprehensive healthcare scheme for central government serving employees, pensioners, and their dependents. Eligible beneficiaries include: all central govt. employees in 80 covered cities, pensioners receiving central govt. pension, MPs, ex-MPs, judges of Supreme Court and High Courts, freedom fighters, and certain PSU employees. Family members (spouse, dependent children, dependent parents) are automatically covered under the employee’s CGHS card.
How is CGHS monthly subscription determined?▾
CGHS subscription is determined by the 7th CPC Pay Matrix Level: Level 1–5 → ₹250/month, Level 6 → ₹450/month, Level 7–11 → ₹650/month, Level 12 and above → ₹1,000/month. The contribution is automatically deducted from salary by the DDO. Pensioners can choose monthly deduction from pension or pay a one-time lifetime card amount (120 × monthly rate).
What is the CGHS Lifetime Card for pensioners?▾
Pensioners can opt for a one-time lifetime CGHS card instead of monthly contributions. The amount is 120 times the applicable monthly rate: Level 1–5 → ₹30,000 | Level 6 → ₹54,000 | Level 7–11 → ₹78,000 | Level 12+ → ₹1,20,000. This is particularly advantageous for pensioners who expect long life post-retirement. The card remains valid for life with no further payments.
How is ward entitlement in hospitals determined?▾
Ward entitlement is based on basic pay drawn (not pay level): Up to ₹47,600 → General Ward | ₹47,601 to ₹63,100 → Semi-Private Ward | ₹63,101 and above → Private Ward. For pensioners, the entitlement is based on the last drawn basic pay at the time of retirement. Ward entitlement applies only to inpatient admissions; OPD, diagnostics, and day-care procedures have uniform rates for all.
Can CGHS be used in a city other than the city of posting?▾
Yes, but with conditions. For emergencies, any CGHS-empanelled hospital across India can be used without prior permission. For planned treatments, you need a referral from your registered wellness centre to another CGHS city’s hospital. Pensioners can use CGHS benefits in any CGHS city. Those posted in non-CGHS cities can claim reimbursement under CS(MA) Rules 1944 at CGHS-approved rates.
Does CGHS cover pre-existing diseases?▾
Yes. Unlike private health insurance, CGHS has no waiting period or exclusion for pre-existing conditions. Coverage begins from the first day of CGHS enrolment. All diseases — including chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer — are fully covered from day one, making CGHS significantly superior to most private insurance plans for government employees.
What is Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) and when should I choose it?▾
Fixed Medical Allowance of ₹1,000/month is available to pensioners who reside in non-CGHS cities and do not wish to avail CGHS benefits. It replaces the CGHS subscription as a flat monthly amount for OPD expenses. Pensioners residing in a CGHS-covered city cannot opt for FMA — they must subscribe to CGHS. FMA is fully taxable as income.
Does CGHS contribution change after promotion?▾
Yes. If a promotion moves you to a higher pay level bracket, your CGHS subscription increases from the next payroll cycle. Example: Promotion from Level 6 to Level 7 increases contribution from ₹450 to ₹650/month. Similarly, your ward entitlement may also improve if your new basic pay crosses the threshold (₹47,600 or ₹63,100). No fresh application is needed — the DDO updates the subscription automatically.
What is the procedure for cashless hospitalisation under CGHS?▾
For planned admissions: (1) Get referral letter from CGHS wellness centre, (2) Contact empanelled hospital’s CGHS desk with your CGHS card + Aadhaar, (3) Hospital sends pre-authorisation to CGHS, (4) Treatment done cashlessly within approved limits. For emergencies: Get admitted, inform CGHS within 24 hours, submit documents within 72 hours for post-facto approval. Balance above CGHS package rates (if you choose a higher ward) must be paid by the patient.
Will CGHS rates change under the 8th Pay Commission?▾
Yes. CGHS subscription rates are revised each time a new Pay Commission is implemented. With the 8th CPC expected from January 2026, new pay levels and revised basic pay slabs will trigger updated CGHS contribution rates and ward entitlement thresholds. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will issue an Office Memorandum revising rates shortly after 8th CPC pay revision is implemented — similar to how 7th CPC rates were notified in 2017.