India Launches Nationwide Cashless Treatment Scheme for Road Accident Victims: Free Medical Aid up to ₹1.5 Lakh
India Launches Nationwide Cashless Treatment Scheme for Road Accident Victims: Free Medical Aid up to ₹1.5 Lakh
In a landmark move aimed at enhancing emergency medical response across the country, the Government of India has launched the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, offering free medical treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for individuals injured in road accidents involving motor vehicles.
According to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the scheme—effective from May 5, 2025—ensures that any road accident victim on Indian roads is entitled to receive cashless treatment at designated hospitals. The treatment will be covered for a period of up to seven days from the date of the accident.
If a victim is taken to a non-designated hospital, the medical care provided will be limited to initial stabilisation, as outlined in the scheme’s official guidelines.
The National Health Authority (NHA) has been appointed as the central implementing agency. It will collaborate with state health departments, police authorities, and hospitals to facilitate timely treatment and smooth execution of the scheme. Each State Road Safety Council will function as the nodal agency at the state level, responsible for onboarding hospitals, coordinating treatment, and processing payments through the scheme’s dedicated digital portal.
A central steering committee will also be established to monitor the scheme’s implementation, track performance metrics, and address operational challenges.
This nationwide rollout follows a successful pilot launched on March 14, 2024, by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to test the feasibility of providing cashless emergency care for accident victims.
By eliminating financial barriers to urgent medical care, the scheme is expected to significantly reduce fatalities and improve recovery outcomes for thousands of road accident victims annually.
Key Highlights:
- Scheme Name: Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025
- Coverage Amount: Up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim
- Coverage Duration: Maximum of 7 days from the date of accident
- Applicable Locations: Designated hospitals across India
- Implementing Authority: National Health Authority (NHA)
- Monitoring Mechanism: Central steering committee and State Road Safety Councils
For more information, citizens can refer to the official gazette notification or visit the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ website.
