CGHS Dependent Rules Clarified: Male Employees Can Make One-Time Choice Between Parents And In-Laws

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued a directive regarding the inclusion of parents or parents-in-law as dependents in service records. In the office memorandum dated May 13, 2026, the Ministry clarified that, “A male Government employee shall be eligible to exercise a one-time option only for choosing either his parents or parents-in-law as dependent family members for the purpose of availing medical facilities under CGHS/CS(MA) Rules, 1944.”

The ministry has clarified that for male employees, selecting parents or parents-in-law as dependents is a one-time, irrevocable option, which cannot be changed once chosen. Simply, once a male employee opts for his parents as dependents, he is strictly prohibited from switching to his parents-in-law at any later stage. Notably, this restriction will remain in place even in the event of the demise of the parents. Similarly, if one makes the choice in favour of his parents-in-law, the option cannot be changed later in favour of his parents.  

Decades-Long CGHS Policy Evolution

The policy regarding parental dependency has undergone several changes to reach its current stage.

In 1987, the rules were made to offer female employees a choice to include their parents or parents-in-law for CGHS benefits, subject to the conditions. In 2023, this choice was extended to the male employees as well, to ensure gender parity, extending them the right to choose between parents and parents-in-law. Further, in March 2024, the same options were extended to the beneficiaries under the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules or CS (MA) Rules, 1944, bringing them at par with CGHS cardholders.

Who Are Defined As Dependents To Be Covered Under The CGHS Facility?

Family: According to the CGHS FAQs on the Ministry’s website, the family of the employee is covered under CGHS. Under this, the family includes the husband or wife, and other dependent family members. These members could be parents, parents-in-law, sisters, widowed sisters, widowed daughters, minor brothers, minor sisters, children, step-children (son up to the age of 25 or till marriage, and daughter till her marriage), dependent divorced daughter, separated daughter, and her minor children.  

Dependents: These family members can be considered dependent if their income from all sources remains below Rs 9,000 per month. This amount includes the pension, pension equivalent amount (Death Cum Retirement Gratuity (DCRG), and dearness allowance (DA).

The only exception to this income rule is the spouse of the CGHS primary cardholder, who, even if getting a family pension of more than this amount, will be eligible to receive CGHS benefits.

The latest OM now makes it clear that male employees will have only one time option to select their parents or parents-in-law as dependents. While for the employer, this restriction would reduce the administrative workload by restricting the choice as a one-time option, for employees, it will be a critical decision of who to include in their dependent family for CGHS benefits.