The Central Government has recently made an important change to the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) that will benefit widowed and divorced daughters. These daughters will now be able to get added to their parents’ CGHS cards, even if the original cardholder—a government employee or pensioner—has passed away.
This decision by the Health Ministry recognizes the challenges faced by parents who want to support their daughters who may not have an independent income and require medical care. Previously, when the original cardholder passed away and the spouse started receiving a family pension, there was no way to add or reinstate dependent family members on the card.
The ministry took this step after hearing from pensioners who expressed concerns about supporting their dependent daughters, especially those with serious health issues that require ongoing treatment. However, it is important to note that the addition of daughters to the health cards won’t happen automatically. Authorities will need to confirm each daughter’s marital status, income, and dependency before making any changes.
All other eligibility rules for the CGHS will still apply, as outlined in an order issued on October 28. This notification has been shared with all central government ministries, departments, and the Director General of CGHS, ensuring that the new regulation is widely recognized and implemented.
