CGHS Card Renewal 2026: Booklet to PVC Card, Family Updates and Adding a Disabled Dependent
A step-by-step explainer on CGHS card renewal, replacement, family detail updates, disability-related documentation, fees and common mistakes, based on the Health Ministry's June 2024 card guidelines.
The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) provides healthcare facilities to eligible Central Government employees, pensioners and their eligible dependants. Beneficiaries who still have an old CGHS booklet card, need to renew or replace a plastic card, or want to update family details can use the applicable CGHS procedures.
Under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's guidelines of June 2024, eligible beneficiaries can access an electronic CGHS card, which is at par with the plastic card for availing entitled healthcare facilities. The guidelines also provide for reissue of a printed plastic card and specify the applicable fee.
This guide explains the CGHS card renewal process, booklet-to-PVC card conversion, family member updates, disability-related documentation, fees, documents and common mistakes.
- A fresh printed plastic card costs ₹100 via BharatKosh (loss, damage or renewal) under the cited guidelines.
- Renewal or reissue without a fresh printed card carries no card-issuance fee under those guidelines.
- The electronic CGHS card is at par with the plastic card, and can be accessed via the CGHS login, myCGHS app or DigiLocker.
- There is no blanket requirement in the cited guidelines that every booklet holder must convert immediately. Confirm with your CGHS office.
- Pensioner subscription is a different payment from the card fee.
1. What Is the Difference Between an Old CGHS Booklet Card and a PVC Card?
Older CGHS beneficiaries may have booklet-style or other legacy cards, while many beneficiaries use individual plastic cards or electronic CGHS cards.
| Feature | Old booklet-style card | Plastic / electronic CGHS card |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Traditional booklet or paper-based record | PVC card or digital card |
| Identification | Legacy card details | CGHS beneficiary identification details |
| Portability | Depends on the validity and recognition of the existing card | Digital card can be presented for verification |
| Replacement | Apply through the applicable CGHS process | Reissue or renewal can be requested |
| Digital access | May not have the same convenient digital access | Available through supported CGHS digital services after verification |
The official CGHS portal is the starting point for checking the current application facility: CGHS official website.
2. Who Can Apply for CGHS Card Renewal or Replacement?
Depending on their eligibility and the applicable procedure, the following beneficiaries may need to apply:
- Serving Central Government employees covered under CGHS.
- Central Government pensioners and eligible family pensioners.
- Beneficiaries whose plastic cards have been lost, damaged or become unusable.
- Beneficiaries seeking renewal or reissue of a card.
- Beneficiaries who need to correct personal or family details.
- Eligible beneficiaries who need to add or update a dependent family member.
- Retiring employees applying for a pensioner CGHS card under the applicable retirement procedure.
3. How to Convert an Old CGHS Booklet Card into a PVC Smart Card
Beneficiaries who want a physical PVC card should distinguish between applying for a new card, renewing or reissuing an existing card, and correcting family information.
The June 2024 guidelines provide for a new plastic card in cases such as loss, damage or renewal. The prescribed procedure uses Form AA or Form BB, as applicable, and a ₹100 BharatKosh payment challan for a fresh printed card. A beneficiary choosing renewal or reissue without a fresh printed plastic card does not pay this card-issuance fee under those guidelines.
Step-by-step process
- Visit the official CGHS portal. Open the CGHS official website and navigate to the beneficiary or card-related services. Check the current application instructions for your beneficiary category.
- Select the applicable application. Identify whether you need renewal, reissue of a lost or damaged card, a fresh printed plastic card, or a correction to existing records. If the portal does not offer a specific booklet-conversion option, contact the concerned CGHS office before submitting an application under a different category.
- Complete the prescribed form. The 2024 guidelines refer to Form AA or Form BB for plastic-card renewal or reissue. Select the appropriate form and enter the existing CGHS Beneficiary ID, personal details and any requested information.
- Pay the applicable fee, if required. For a fresh printed plastic card, the fee is ₹100 through BharatKosh. If you choose the digital renewal/reissue option without a newly printed card, the card-issuance fee is waived. Do not confuse this fee with the CGHS subscription payable for coverage.
- Submit the application and check the status. Serving employees may need to submit the signed application through their department or sponsoring authority. Pensioners should follow the applicable CGHS instructions for their city.
- Access your electronic card. After verification, the electronic CGHS card can be accessed through the beneficiary login on the CGHS website, the myCGHS app or DigiLocker. Download it and keep a copy available on your phone.
Official basis: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Office Memorandum of June 2024.
Which route applies to you?
| Your situation | What to check |
|---|---|
| Plastic card lost, damaged or unusable | Reissue via Form AA/BB; ₹100 only if you want a fresh printed card |
| Card needs renewal | Renewal or reissue; digital option has no card-issuance fee |
| Old booklet card | Confirm validity and the correct route with your CGHS office first |
| Name, date of birth or relationship incorrect | Correction of records with supporting proof |
| New family member or changed dependency | Family-detail update through your department (serving) or CGHS office (pensioner) |
| First-time pensioner card | Check the Bhavishya portal route and the applicable contribution |
4. Documents Required for CGHS Card Renewal
Keep the following documents ready, as applicable to the type of application.
| Document | When it may be required |
|---|---|
| Existing CGHS card or Beneficiary ID | Renewal, reissue or record identification |
| Aadhaar, PAN or other accepted identity/address proof | Applicant and eligible dependants, as applicable |
| Recent individual photographs | Where required by the application |
| Latest payslip showing pay scale and CGHS deduction | Serving employee applications |
| Signed application and departmental sponsorship | Serving employees, under the applicable procedure |
| PPO, provisional PPO or last pay certificate | Pensioner applications, as applicable |
| BharatKosh challan for CGHS contribution | Pensioner coverage applications where contribution is payable |
| Disability certificate | Where a dependent's disability is relevant to eligibility |
| Proof relating to Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) | Where applicable to pensioners |
5. How to Add or Update Family Members in a CGHS Card
Family details should be kept accurate because entitlement depends on the applicable CGHS family and dependency rules. You may need to update the card when:
- A new eligible family member needs to be added.
- A child's date of birth or other particulars need correction.
- A name, relationship or other personal detail is incorrect.
- A dependent's circumstances change and affect eligibility.
- A family member is no longer eligible and the records require updating.
Procedure for updating family details
- Check the existing record. Keep the Beneficiary ID and current family details available.
- Identify the required change. Addition, deletion and correction may require different forms or supporting documents.
- Prepare supporting evidence. Depending on the case, this may include proof of relationship, date of birth, identity, address or dependency.
- Submit through the appropriate channel. Serving employees should check with their administrative or sponsoring authority; pensioners should consult the concerned CGHS office and current online instructions.
- Check the updated record. Confirm that the approved details appear correctly in the electronic card or beneficiary record.
Can a family member be added without replacing the entire card?
The exact process depends on the change being requested and the current portal workflow. Do not assume that adding a family member automatically generates a new physical card or that every family update requires a complete fresh application. Before paying a card fee, confirm whether the required update can be completed in the existing beneficiary record and whether a new printed card is actually necessary.
6. How to Add a Disabled Dependent to a CGHS Card
CGHS has specific provisions for eligible dependent family members with disabilities. The beneficiary must provide the required disability documentation and satisfy the applicable relationship and dependency conditions. The Ministry's 2024 card guidelines refer to disability certificates issued by the competent authority and cite earlier instructions governing disability-related eligibility.
Which family members may qualify?
The guidelines include provisions for certain family members beyond the usual age limits, subject to the relevant conditions. For example:
- A son with a qualifying permanent disability may be eligible irrespective of the usual age limit.
- An unmarried brother with a qualifying permanent disability may also be considered under the applicable conditions.
- Other family relationships are governed by their respective eligibility and dependency rules.
Disability documentation checklist
- Existing CGHS card or Beneficiary ID
- Disability certificate issued by the competent authority
- Proof of age, where applicable
- Proof of relationship with the principal beneficiary
- Accepted identity and address documents
- Documents establishing dependency and residence, where required
- Photograph of the dependent, if required by the application
- Prescribed application and departmental verification, where applicable
What disability percentage is required?
The cited CGHS guidelines refer to the earlier instructions concerning benchmark disability and identify 40% disability in the relevant context. The precise eligibility criteria and certificate requirements should be verified against the applicable order and the dependent's circumstances before applying.
Step-by-step procedure
- Obtain the required disability certificate from the competent authority.
- Collect proof of age, identity, relationship, residence and dependency, as applicable.
- Contact the concerned CGHS office or sponsoring department to identify the current procedure for adding the dependent.
- Submit the prescribed application and supporting documents.
- Follow up until the dependent's eligibility and beneficiary details have been verified.
- Check the updated electronic record and confirm whether a new printed card is needed.
For an existing beneficiary, the administrative office should confirm whether the case can be processed as a family-detail update or requires another application route.
7. CGHS Card Fees and Pensioner Subscription: Know the Difference
A common source of confusion is the difference between the charge for a printed plastic card and the CGHS subscription paid for healthcare coverage.
| Type of payment | Amount or rule |
|---|---|
| Fresh printed plastic card for renewal/reissue (cited 2024 guidelines) | ₹100 |
| Digital renewal/reissue without a fresh printed plastic card | No card-issuance fee under the cited guidelines |
| Annual CGHS subscription for pensioners | Depends on applicable pay level |
| Lifetime CGHS subscription for pensioners | Depends on applicable pay level |
The subscription rates specified in the June 2024 guidelines are shown below. These are the rates in that order, not a guarantee that no later revision has been issued.
| 7th CPC pay level | Annual contribution | Lifetime contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1–5 | ₹3,000 | ₹30,000 |
| Level 6 | ₹5,400 | ₹54,000 |
| Level 7–11 | ₹7,800 | ₹78,000 |
| Level 12 and above | ₹12,000 | ₹1,20,000 |
8. How Can Pensioners Renew or Obtain a CGHS Card?
Pensioners should first determine whether they need to renew an existing card, replace a lost or damaged card, update family information or apply for a pensioner card for the first time. The following steps are useful:
- Keep the existing CGHS Beneficiary ID and pension documents ready.
- Check the current instructions on the CGHS website.
- For a first-time pensioner card, check whether the application is available through the Bhavishya portal.
- Submit the prescribed application and supporting documents.
- Pay the applicable CGHS contribution if required for coverage.
- Download the approved electronic card when it becomes available.
The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare's Bhavishya FAQ describes an online route through Services → CGHS Card Services for eligible retiring employees. It states that the applicant can review the pre-filled information, submit the application, and download the approved card through the available portal facility. Pensioners applying for a first-time card should not confuse this process with the ₹100 fee for reissuing a printed card.
9. Frequently Asked Questions About CGHS Card Renewal
1. Is it compulsory to convert an old CGHS booklet card into a PVC card?
The cited guidelines do not establish a blanket requirement for every legacy booklet holder to convert immediately. Check the current instructions with CGHS and confirm whether your existing card remains valid and whether a replacement is necessary.
2. Can I use a digital CGHS card instead of a physical card?
Yes. Under the Ministry's guidelines of June 2024, the electronic CGHS card is at par with the plastic card for availing entitled healthcare facilities. It is accessible through supported digital services after verification.
3. What is the fee for a replacement CGHS plastic card?
The cited 2024 guidelines specify ₹100 for a new printed plastic card issued on account of loss, damage or renewal. No card-issuance fee is charged when renewal or reissue is requested without a fresh printed card under those guidelines.
4. Can I add my spouse or child to an existing CGHS card?
You can request an update to family details, subject to eligibility and dependency rules. The procedure and supporting documents depend on the relationship and the change being requested.
5. Can a disabled son above 25 years of age be included?
A dependent son with a qualifying permanent disability may be eligible beyond the usual age limit, subject to applicable CGHS conditions and acceptance of the required disability certificate. The case must be verified by CGHS.
6. Can I add a disabled dependent without getting a new PVC card?
Whether the existing card can be updated or a new printed card is required depends on the applicable process. Ask the concerned CGHS office before paying a printing fee.
7. Can a serving employee apply directly for a new CGHS card?
The 2024 guidelines prescribe an online application followed by submission of the signed application through the employee's department or sponsoring authority for processing. Follow the current instructions for the particular service requested.
8. How can I check whether my CGHS card is valid?
Use the beneficiary login and the verification facilities available on the official CGHS website. You can also check the electronic card available through supported services.
10. Important Official Links for CGHS Beneficiaries
For beneficiary services, card-related instructions and updates.
Visit CGHSOffice Memorandum of June 2024, including card fees, documentation and disability-related provisions.
Read the official guidelines (PDF)For eligible retiring employees and pension-related services, including the documented CGHS card application route.
Visit BhavishyaInformation about the online CGHS plastic-card application service.
View the service informationConclusion
CGHS beneficiaries should keep their cards and family details updated to avoid difficulties when accessing healthcare services. If you have an old booklet card, first verify its status and identify the correct replacement procedure. If you need a physical PVC card, check the applicable fee and form. For family additions or disability-related eligibility, prepare the required documents and obtain confirmation from the concerned CGHS authority.
The electronic CGHS card is a useful alternative to carrying a physical card, while beneficiaries who prefer a printed card can follow the applicable reissue procedure.
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