The integrated digital platform website of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is now functional. The old CGHS websites (www.cghs.gov.in and www.cghs.nic.in) have stopped working from April 28, 2025, and the new integrated website (www.cghs.mohfw.gov.in) will now offer all the CGHS related information and services to the users.
CGHS is a healthcare scheme for central government employees, in which employees contribute a part of their monthly salary to avail themselves of healthcare benefits at designated hospitals.
Notably, the scheme was introduced in 1954. Years later, its digital platform was launched to make it user-friendly, however, of late the government realised that old software, which was in use since 2005 needs upgradation to remain compatible with modern IT standards, to provide faster services to beneficiaries, and to stay protected against cybercrimes.
Thus, from April 28, the new health management information system for the digital platform was introduced to offer faster services, more transparency, a user-friendly interface, and an integrated payment facility. With the launch of the new website, the previous portal for payment (BharatKosh) has been closed.
Here are the other key changes that are offered in the new website:
• Every beneficiary will be linked to a unique PAN-based ID for using the new portal. The aim is to reduce the duplicity of records and simplify the verification process
• Beneficiary can access all the services starting from application, registration, tracking claims, and grievance redressal online
• The manual payment process through BharatKosh has been discontinued and the data is integrated with the new portal, eliminating the need for manual entry for deposits and refunds. This entails auto-verification of the transactions
• More services are shifted online, including card transfer, change in dependent status, category, etc.
• The new system will verify the eligibility of the new applications and accordingly inform them about the contribution amount before they make the payment
• The new system will enable beneficiaries to track their application in real-time and get updates through SMS and email alerts. The new feature will foster transparency in the system
• The beneficiaries will need to reset their password the first time they log in to the new portal. This is to keep the data protected from cyber threats and other such risks
Under the new MIS, the departments are verified and mapped at the back end with the Pay and Accounts Office (PAO) and Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) codes information on the employees’ pay slips.
CGHS mobile app has also been upgraded to offer the new features. Now, CGHS beneficiaries can access their digital CGHS card, schedule appointments, contact the helpdesk, and track requests in real-time through the app.
The existing CGHS card holders do not need to apply for a new card. Old cards will continue working and will have all the information contained in the previous system. Those who have applied for CGHS services before April 27 without making payment will have to reapply through the new portal.
So, to avail of the CGHS facilities, beneficiaries should not forget to link their PAN card with their CGHS ID and reset their password for the new portal.
