CGHS Geographical Limit Removed 2026

CGHS Update • September 2026

CGHS Geographical Limit Removed 2026 : for Serving Central Government Employees

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has removed the existing geographical criterion for determining CGHS eligibility of serving Central Government employees.

Office Memorandum Z.16025/227/2026/CGHS-III/EHS

Date 17 September 2026

Effective Immediate Effect

In simple words: Serving Central Government employees who are outside the existing CGHS geographical coverage can now have a one-time option to become CGHS beneficiaries, subject to the conditions and eligibility requirements mentioned in the Office Memorandum.

CGHS new rules 2026 : What has changed in CGHS eligibility?

Earlier, the eligibility of serving Central Government employees for CGHS was linked to geographical coverage. The 2018 instructions referred to residence or work within the prescribed area around a CGHS Wellness Centre.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has now reviewed this condition after considering the difficulties faced by employees who are posted or residing outside the prescribed CGHS geographical area, including employees working in places where CGHS coverage is not available.

Key decision

The existing geographical criterion for determining CGHS eligibility of serving Central Government employees has been dispensed with.

This does not mean that every employee is automatically transferred to CGHS. The Office Memorandum provides a specific one-time option for eligible employees who are presently covered under the CS(MA) Rules, 1944 because of their residence or posting outside the geographical coverage of CGHS.

Who can exercise the one-time option?

The one-time option is relevant to serving Central Government employees who:

Outside CGHS geographical coverage

The employee is residing or posted outside the prescribed geographical coverage of CGHS.

Presently under CS(MA)

The employee is currently availing medical facilities under the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944 because of the geographical limitation.

Important

The option is subject to fulfilment of the other applicable eligibility conditions and payment of the prescribed CGHS contribution/subscription.

What about employees already living in a CGHS-covered area?

The Office Memorandum makes a separate provision for serving Central Government employees residing or posted within the CGHS-covered area, described in the order as the limits of the district headquarters in which the CGHS Wellness Centre is situated.

CGHS coverage is mandatory in the covered area

Serving Central Government employees residing or posted within the prescribed CGHS-covered area shall be covered under CGHS and shall not be entitled to opt out of CGHS in favour of medical facilities under the CS(MA) Rules, 1944.

CGHS new rules 2026 :Conditions of the one-time CGHS option

The option comes with several important conditions. Employees should read these conditions carefully before exercising the option.

1One-time and final

The option can be exercised only once. Once exercised, it becomes final and binding, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions.

2Applies to dependants

The option exercised by the principal beneficiary applies to the eligible dependants also. The family cannot split its entitlement between CGHS and CS(MA).

3CGHS subscription continues

An employee opting for CGHS must continue to pay the prescribed CGHS contribution/subscription irrespective of residence or posting.

4No dual benefits

An employee or family covered under CGHS cannot simultaneously claim medical facilities under CS(MA), and vice versa.

5No TA/DA for CGHS treatment

TA/DA will not be admissible for travelling to obtain treatment or medicines under CGHS.

6Undertaking is required

The employee has to give an undertaking confirming that the employee and eligible family members will not claim inadmissible benefits under both systems.

Can the family choose CGHS and CS(MA) separately?

No. The Office Memorandum specifically states that the entitlement cannot be divided between the two systems within the family.

Example: If the principal beneficiary exercises the option to come under CGHS, the option applies to the eligible dependants as well. The family cannot keep some members under CGHS and others under CS(MA) for the purpose of simultaneously availing both systems.

What happens if an eligible employee does not exercise the option?

The Office Memorandum states that employees who do not exercise the option, where such option is available under the OM, will continue to be governed by the CS(MA) Rules, 1944, as applicable.

In simple terms

The new order creates an option. It does not automatically move every employee outside the existing CGHS area into CGHS.

Important warning about false or dual claims

The Office Memorandum also addresses the consequences of providing false, incorrect, suppressed or misleading information for obtaining or continuing CGHS benefits.

Employees should be careful

Any inadmissible benefit obtained on the basis of false or misleading information may be recovered. The employee/beneficiary may also face disciplinary action under the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and other applicable rules.

CGHS Geographical Limit Removed: Earlier vs New Position

Point	Earlier position	Position under 17.09.2026 OM
Geographical criterion	CGHS eligibility was linked to the prescribed geographical coverage.	The existing geographical criterion for serving Central Government employees has been dispensed with.
Employee outside CGHS area	Such employees could generally remain under CS(MA), subject to applicable rules.	An eligible employee presently under CS(MA) because of geographical coverage may exercise a one-time option for CGHS.
Option	Not applicable in this form.	One-time, final and binding.
Family	Governed by the applicable medical facility rules.	The principal beneficiary’s option applies to eligible dependants; entitlement cannot be split between CGHS and CS(MA).
Dual benefits	Subject to the applicable rules.	Simultaneous medical benefits under CGHS and CS(MA) are not permitted.
TA/DA for CGHS treatment	—	Not admissible for treatment and procurement of medicines under CGHS.

CGHS One-Time Option 2026 Form: Details Required

The Office Memorandum includes an annexure containing the Option and Undertaking Form for Serving Central Government Employees.

The form asks for the following basic details:

Name of the employee
Designation and Pay Level
Ministry / Department / Office
Present residential address
District and State of residence

The form contains both an option and an undertaking

The employee declares the decision to switch from coverage under the CS(MA) Rules, 1944 to CGHS without geographical limitation, subject to the terms of the Office Memorandum.

The undertaking includes:

Neither the employee nor an eligible family member will simultaneously claim or avail medical facilities/reimbursements under CS(MA) Rules, 1944 after enrolment under CGHS.
The employee authorises the Head of Office / DDO to deduct the prescribed monthly CGHS subscription from pay and allowances on a continuous basis.
The employee understands that TA/DA will not be admissible for travelling to avail treatment or medicines under CGHS.
The employee acknowledges that false or misleading information or dual claims may result in recovery and disciplinary action.

The form also provides space for the employee’s date, place and signature, followed by countersignature of the Head of Office / DDO with seal and stamp.

When does the new CGHS rule take effect?

Effective immediately

The Office Memorandum states that its provisions shall come into force with immediate effect. The OM is dated 17 September 2026.

Therefore, employees who may be eligible under the new provision should follow the prescribed procedure and confirm the applicable requirements with their office/CGHS authorities before submitting the option.

What should an employee check before exercising the option?

01. Check your present medical coverage

Confirm whether you are currently covered under CS(MA) Rules, 1944 because your residence or posting falls outside CGHS coverage.

02. Understand that the option is final

Do not treat this as a temporary choice. The OM states that the option, once exercised, is final and binding.

03. Consider the family implication

The principal beneficiary’s option applies to eligible dependants. The family cannot split its entitlement between CGHS and CS(MA).

04. Check the CGHS subscription

Prescribed CGHS contribution/subscription has to be paid even when the employee resides or is posted outside the previous geographical coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions – CGHS Geographical Limit 2026

Has the CGHS geographical limit been removed?

Yes. The Office Memorandum dated 17 September 2026 states that the existing geographical criterion for determining eligibility of serving Central Government employees for CGHS has been dispensed with.

Can an employee living outside a CGHS-covered area join CGHS?

An eligible serving Central Government employee who is residing or posted outside the prescribed CGHS geographical coverage and is presently covered under CS(MA) Rules, 1944 because of that geographical limitation may exercise the one-time option, subject to the applicable conditions.

Can I exercise the CGHS option more than once?

No. The option is a one-time option. Once exercised, it is final and binding, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions.

Can I remain under CS(MA) if I do not choose CGHS?

Where the option is available under the Office Memorandum, an employee who does not exercise it will continue to be governed by the CS(MA) Rules, 1944, as applicable.

Can my family members choose different medical systems?

No. The OM states that the option exercised by the principal beneficiary applies to all eligible dependants. The entitlement cannot be split between CGHS and CS(MA) within the family.

Will I have to pay CGHS subscription if I live outside the CGHS area?

Yes. An employee opting for CGHS has to continue paying the prescribed CGHS contribution/subscription irrespective of the place of residence or posting.

Can I claim CGHS and CS(MA) benefits at the same time?

No. The Office Memorandum does not permit simultaneous medical facilities or claims under CGHS and CS(MA).

Is TA/DA available for travelling for CGHS treatment?

No. The OM specifically states that TA/DA shall not be applicable for treatment and procurement of medicines under CGHS.

What happens if someone submits false information?

False, incorrect, suppressed or misleading information may result in recovery of inadmissible benefits and disciplinary action under the applicable conduct rules.

When did the new CGHS provision become effective?

The Office Memorandum is dated 17 September 2026 and states that its provisions come into force with immediate effect.

Official References

This article is based primarily on the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Office Memorandum dated 17 September 2026 and its accompanying Option and Undertaking Form.

Employees should refer to the original Office Memorandum, applicable CGHS instructions and their Head of Office/DDO for the procedure to exercise the option. This page is intended to explain the government order in simpler language and should not be treated as a substitute for the original government instructions.

CGHS-Geographical-Limit-removal Download