In April 2025, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched a new version of its flagship programme, Health Management Information System (HMIS), to access faster services under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).The platform developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MeitY) went live from April 28, 2025.
- Besides HMIS, the ministry has re-launched CGHS mobile application(app) for Android and iOS (formerly iPhone Operating System) with upgraded interface and digital services.
Key changes:
i. The previous CGHS websites, www.cghs.gov.in and www.cghs.nic.in, were officially deactivated. All services and updates are now accessible exclusively through the new portal:cghs.mohfw.gov.in .
ii.The revamped HMIS enables faster, more transparent and user-friendly access to CGHS services. The former CGHS software, which has been in use since 2005, lacked modern Information Technology(IT) standards, cybersecurity frameworks, and user expectations.
ii.Under the upgraded version, the ministry has introduced Permanent Account Number(PAN)- based identification of beneficiaries; real-time tracking; automated payment verification, and fully online application workflows.
- The system will generate Short Message Service(SMS) and electronic mail(e-mail)alerts at each stage of application processing, which increases transparency and reduces in-person follow-ups.
iii.CGHS is contributions are accepted only through the new portal on the website, manual payment process has been discontinued from the date of operation.
About the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS):
i.CGHS was introduced in 1954 by the MoHFW to provide comprehensive medical care to the Central Government employees and pensioners.
- It caters to the needs of eligible beneficiaries covering the four pillars of democratic set up in India namely Legislature, Judiciary, Executive and Press.
ii.It covers a range of medical services for its beneficiaries, including outpatient and inpatient treatment, specialist.
iii.CGHS provides healthcare through the following systems of medicine:
Allopathic, Homeopathic, Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Yoga.
iv.CGHS is unique of its kind due to the large volume of beneficiary base, covering approximately 42 lakh beneficiaries in 80 cities across India, aiming to include more cities to improve the accessibility of the services.
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW):
Union Minister – Jagat Prakash Nadda (Rajya Sabha – Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS) – Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav(Buldhana, Maharashtra); Anupriya Patel – (Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
