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CGHS rates explained: tiers, NABH, wards and packages

Every Indian procedure and test price on TrustClinix comes from the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rate list effective 13 October 2025. This guide explains how to read it.

Who the rates apply to

CGHS rates are what empanelled hospitals and labs charge CGHS beneficiaries, mainly central government employees, pensioners and their families. Other patients usually pay the provider's own price, which is often higher, but the CGHS rate is a useful official reference for what a procedure should cost.

City tiers

Rates in Tier II cities are 10% lower and in Tier III cities 20% lower than in Tier I cities. Hospitals in the North-East, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are paid Tier II rates.

Accreditation

Hospitals and labs without NABH or NABL accreditation are paid 15% less. Super-speciality hospitals are paid 15% more than the NABH rate for super-speciality treatment.

Wards

Published rates are for a semi-private ward. General ward rates are 5% lower and private ward rates 5% higher. Consultations, investigations, radiotherapy and day-care procedures cost the same in every ward.

What a package includes

  • The procedure and operation theatre
  • Hospital stay up to the package limit
  • Routine medicines and consumables during the stay
  • Doctor, surgeon and anaesthetist fees during the stay
  • Implants and devices, unless stated (billed at separate ceiling prices)
  • Days beyond the package limit

Package stay limits: up to 12 days for super-speciality treatment, 7 days for other major surgery, 3 days for laparoscopic surgery and elective angioplasty, and 1 day for day care.

Multiple procedures

When several procedures are done in one session, the main one is paid at 100%, the second at 50% and further ones at 25%. The second side of an identical bilateral procedure is paid at 50%.

Questions to ask the hospital

  • What is the all-inclusive price, in writing, including implants, room, medicines, tests and doctor fees?
  • How many days are included, and what does each extra day cost?
  • Is the hospital NABH-accredited and CGHS-empanelled?
  • Which implant or device will be used, and what does it cost?
  • Will my insurance or scheme cover it, and what will I pay myself?
  • For tests: is the lab NABL-accredited, do I need to fast, and when will I get the report?

Source: CGHS office memorandum dated 3 October 2025 and the CGHS rate list. See data sources.