Top News

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an important clarification regarding medical benefits under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). The government has now clearly stated that male central government employees can choose either their parents or their parents-in-law as dependent family members for CGHS and Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules benefits — but not both simultaneously.

The ministry has also clarified that this choice can be exercised only once during service, and once selected, it cannot be changed later under any circumstances.

The clarification is expected to directly impact thousands of central government employees who rely on CGHS facilities for family healthcare support.

Health Ministry Issues Official Clarification

According to an Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the Health Ministry on May 13, 2026, the rule applies to employees covered under both:

• Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
• Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944

The ministry stated that employees can include either:

• Their own parents, or
• Their wife’s parents (parents-in-law)

as dependent beneficiaries under the scheme, subject to dependency and eligibility conditions.

However, the ministry has made it clear that employees will receive only a one-time option to make this selection.

Once Chosen, the Decision Cannot Be Changed

One of the most important aspects of the clarification is that employees will not be allowed to revise their choice later.

This means:

• If an employee initially selects parents as dependents, they cannot later switch to parents-in-law
• Similarly, if parents-in-law are selected first, parents cannot be added later

The restriction will continue to apply even if family circumstances change in the future.

According to the clarification, the rule remains applicable even in cases where:

• Parents pass away
• Dependency conditions change later
• Family situations evolve over time

The ministry emphasized that the selected option will remain final throughout eligibility under the scheme.

The Facility Already Existed Earlier

The government clarified that the provision allowing selection between parents and parents-in-law was not newly introduced.

Earlier:

• A related Office Memorandum was issued on July 26, 2023 under CGHS
• Later, a March 28, 2024 order extended similar provisions to employees covered under CS(MA) Rules

The latest OM has mainly been issued to remove confusion and clarify the interpretation of the rules.

Who Can Be Included Under CGHS Family Definition?

Under existing CGHS rules, eligible family members may include several dependent relatives beyond the spouse.

The scheme may cover:

• Husband or wife
• Parents or parents-in-law
• Children and stepchildren
• Dependent sisters
• Widowed sisters
• Widowed daughters
• Minor brothers and sisters
• Divorced or separated dependent daughters
• Minor children of dependent daughters

However, these family members must generally:

• Be financially dependent on the employee
• Normally reside with the employee
• Meet prescribed income eligibility conditions

Rules for Sons Under CGHS

The scheme has separate eligibility conditions for children.

For sons:

• CGHS eligibility generally continues up to 25 years of age or marriage, whichever comes earlier

However, in special cases involving physical or mental disability where the son is fully dependent and unable to earn independently, medical benefits may continue even beyond the normal age limit.

Rules Applicable for Daughters

For daughters:

• Eligibility generally continues until marriage

Additionally:

• Divorced daughters
• Widowed daughters
• Separated daughters

may continue receiving benefits if they remain financially dependent on the government employee.

Their minor children can also be treated as dependent beneficiaries under CGHS rules.

Who Is Considered a Dependent?

The ministry has also clarified dependency conditions under the scheme.

According to CGHS norms, a family member may be considered dependent if their total monthly income from all sources remains below:

• ₹9,000 per month plus applicable Dearness Allowance (DA)

The calculation includes:

• Pension income
• Amount equivalent to Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) benefits

However, this income ceiling does not apply to the spouse of the CGHS cardholder.

This means husbands or wives can continue receiving CGHS benefits even if they receive family pension income.

Ministries Directed to Ensure Strict Compliance

The Health Ministry has instructed all ministries and departments to circulate the clarification among relevant officials and ensure proper implementation of the rules.

Experts believe the clarification has been issued to avoid disputes and repeated requests for changes in dependency declarations under CGHS coverage.

The government has now firmly stated that the decision regarding inclusion of parents or parents-in-law under CGHS dependency benefits will remain final once exercised by the employee.

---