ECHS and CGHS are often confused because both are government, contributory, cashless health schemes. The difference comes down to who they serve and who runs them: ECHS is the Ministry of Defence scheme for armed forces pensioners and their families, while CGHS is the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare scheme for central government civilian employees and pensioners. This guide compares them side by side. Scheme rules and contributions are set by each organisation and revised over time — verify current details on echs.gov.in and the official CGHS portal.
ECHS vs CGHS at a glance
| Feature | ECHS | CGHS |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme | Central Government Health Scheme |
| Administered by | Ministry of Defence (Army) — Central Organisation ECHS | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare |
| Primary beneficiaries | Armed forces pensioners, dependents, war widows | Central govt employees & pensioners, dependents |
| First point of care | ECHS Polyclinic | CGHS Wellness Centre |
| Card | ECHS 64KB Smart Card | CGHS Card / beneficiary ID |
| Contribution | One-time, by rank/pension | By pay level (annual or one-time for life) |
| Treatment model | Cashless via polyclinics, service & empanelled hospitals | Cashless via wellness centres & empanelled hospitals |
| Coverage area | Pan-India polyclinic network | Notified CGHS cities (expanding) |
Eligibility — which scheme applies to you
If you are a pensioner of the Army, Navy or Air Force (or an eligible dependent or war widow), ECHS is your scheme, accessed through your nearest ECHS polyclinic. If you are a central government civilian employee or pensioner in a notified CGHS city, CGHS is your scheme, accessed through a CGHS wellness centre. Your service status at retirement determines your entitlement — if you have served in both capacities, follow the cross-membership rules rather than assuming dual benefits.
How treatment works in each
Both schemes use the same basic model: a primary facility (polyclinic for ECHS, wellness centre for CGHS) where you consult, get medicines and receive referrals, backed by a network of empanelled hospitals for specialist and in-patient care, all cashless for entitled treatment. The referral discipline matters in both — for planned treatment you go through your primary facility first. See our ECHS referral process guide for how this works on the ECHS side.
Medicines in ECHS and CGHS
Prescribed medicines are part of the entitlement in both schemes. ECHS dispenses through polyclinic pharmacies, with local purchase or reimbursement when an item is out of stock (see our ECHS medicine shortage guide). For ECHS beneficiaries who want the convenience of home delivery, Army Medicine Supplier — an independent licensed pharmacy, not part of ECHS — delivers prescribed medicines to the door in its service area.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ECHS and CGHS?
ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) is run by the Ministry of Defence for armed forces pensioners and their dependents, delivered through polyclinics. CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) is run by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for central government civilian employees and pensioners, delivered through wellness centres. Both are contributory and offer cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals.
Who is eligible for ECHS?
ECHS is for ex-servicemen pensioners of the Army, Navy and Air Force — and their eligible dependents (spouse, dependent children, dependent parents) and war widows. Serving personnel are covered by their own service medical facilities; ECHS membership applies to pensioners.
Who is eligible for CGHS?
CGHS covers serving central government civilian employees and central government pensioners drawing pension from central revenues, along with their dependent family members, in cities where CGHS operates. Certain other categories (such as some autonomous bodies, MPs and ex-MPs, and freedom fighters) are also covered as notified.
Can a person be covered by both ECHS and CGHS?
A beneficiary normally uses one scheme based on their status. An ex-serviceman who later takes central government civilian employment, for example, must follow the rules on which scheme applies and cannot draw a double benefit for the same period. Always declare your status and follow the current cross-membership rules of both organisations.
Is the contribution for ECHS one-time or monthly?
ECHS is generally a one-time contribution paid at the time of joining, fixed according to rank/pension. CGHS contribution for pensioners has historically been linked to pay level and can be paid annually or as a one-time amount for lifetime coverage. Exact amounts are set by each scheme and revised periodically.
Are ECHS and CGHS empanelled hospitals the same?
Both schemes maintain their own lists of empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres, with significant overlap in major hospitals. There are also reciprocal arrangements in some situations. For cashless treatment, use a hospital empanelled under your own scheme and follow your scheme's referral process.
Does ECHS or CGHS cover medicines?
Both cover prescribed medicines for their beneficiaries. ECHS issues medicines through polyclinic pharmacies (with local purchase or reimbursement when out of stock); CGHS issues them through wellness centres. In both, medicines for your treatment are provided as part of the entitlement.