Central government employees who haven’t yet applied for a Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) card can still access healthcare benefits under the scheme, provided that monthly CGHS contributions are being deducted from their salaries. This clarification comes from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, which has directed departments to ensure that no eligible employee is denied treatment due to procedural delays or failure to submit application forms.
In an official memorandum dated April 7, 2025, the Ministry asked all Special and Additional Director Generals (SDGs/ADGs) to ensure the issuance of CGHS cards to all Central Public Works Department (CPWD) employees whose salaries reflect monthly CGHS deductions.
“All SDGs/ADGs are requested to ensure that all the employees of CPWD who are contributing towards the CGHS are issued with a CGHS card. In the case where the Govt. servant in spite of written intimation/Memorandum, does not apply for a CGHS card, such cases may be immediately reported to Senior Officers for taking suitable action,” the memorandum stated.
CGHS Benefits Cannot Be Withheld Due to Paperwork Lapses
The Health Ministry reaffirmed its stance, originally laid out in an Office Memorandum dated June 15, 2004, that it would be unjust to deny health benefits to employees simply because they had not filled out a CGHS application, especially when contributions are automatically deducted from their salaries.
According to the Ministry, the responsibility of facilitating card issuance lies with the administrative units of departments and not the individual employees. As long as deductions are in place, the employee is considered an active CGHS beneficiary.
This approach is aimed at improving administrative accountability and ensuring timely access to medical services for all eligible employees.
Non-Compliance Must Be Escalated
In cases where employees ignore written requests or fail to complete the card application despite reminders, departments have been told to report such instances to senior officers without delay. The objective is to prevent any lapses that could disrupt access to healthcare.
How to Apply for a CGHS Card
The government employees need to submit the prescribed application form along with the photographs of eligible family members, according to CGHS guidelines. This form is also submitted through their department and then forwarded by them to the Additional Director of CGHS of the respective city. The cards are distributed through local CGHS Wellness Centres after processing.
Applicants are also notified via SMS once the card is ready.
In addition, the CGHS portal (cghs.gov.in) allows employees to print their own CGHS cards. A colour printout can be laminated and used just like a plastic card. Alternatively, services can be obtained by showing the index card dated the date of application submission.
ABHA linking suspended: Why is even digital access encouraged
The government has, however, recently put on hold the mandatory linking of CGHS beneficiary IDs with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), but employees have been encouraged to explore linking for proper maintenance of records in the future.
The Ministry's most recent order reiterates that access to healthcare under CGHS cannot be denied because of an administrative backlog or a lapse on the part of an employee in applying for the card. Departments have now been directed to act immediately to deliver rightful entitlements to all eligible staff without undue delay.
