Nikshay Poshan Yojana — ₹500/Month for TB Patients

What is Nikshay Poshan Yojana?

Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) is a Government of India scheme that provides ₹500 per month as nutritional support to all TB (Tuberculosis) patients registered on the NIKSHAY platform, for the entire duration of their treatment.

TB treatment typically lasts 6 months (for drug-sensitive TB) to 2 years (for drug-resistant TB). The monthly ₹500 is meant to help patients maintain better nutrition, which improves treatment outcomes and speeds recovery.

Key features:

• ₹500/month directly to patient's bank/post office account
• Covers all TB patients — regardless of income or category
• Applies to both public and private sector TB patients
• Payment for every month of active treatment
• Funded by the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) under Ministry of Health

Who is Eligible?

• All TB patients registered under NIKSHAY (the national TB case notification system)
• Patients at government DOTS centres, district hospitals, and private doctors/hospitals who notify their TB cases to NIKSHAY
• No income limit — every notified TB patient is eligible
• Both new and previously treated patients

There is no need to apply separately — registration happens automatically when you are enrolled in TB treatment at a government or notified private facility.

How the Payment Works

1. You are diagnosed with TB at a health facility
2. The healthcare worker registers your case on NIKSHAY (nikshay.in)
3. Your bank account details are collected and entered into NIKSHAY
4. ₹500 is transferred via DBT to your account every month as long as your treatment is ongoing and the monthly follow-up is recorded in NIKSHAY
5. Treatment completion is also recorded — payments stop after treatment ends

If you are receiving treatment at a private clinic, your doctor must be registered on NIKSHAY and must notify your case. If they haven't, ask them to do so — this is legally required under NTEP.

How to Register / Ensure You Get the Benefit

If Treated at Government Hospital / PHC / DOTS Centre

1. Inform the health worker that you want to be registered for Nikshay Poshan Yojana
2. Provide your Aadhaar card and bank account details
3. The DOTS provider enters your data into NIKSHAY
4. Payment starts from the month of registration

If Treated at Private Doctor / Hospital

1. Ask your doctor if they are registered on NIKSHAY and have notified your case
2. If yes, your benefit will be registered along with your treatment
3. If not, visit the nearest government DOTS centre / District TB Centre and get yourself registered as a TB patient there — even if your doctor is private, you can notify through the public system

Documents Required

• Aadhaar card (for identity and Aadhaar-linked DBT)
• Bank account or post office account in the patient's name
• TB diagnosis report (sputum test / Xpert/NAAT report — provided by the lab/hospital)

No separate application form is needed — registration is done by the healthcare provider.

Nikshay Mitra — Additional Support

In addition to NPY, the Ni-kshay Mitra programme (PM-TB Mukt Bharat) allows individuals, NGOs, and companies to "adopt" TB patients and provide additional nutritional support (food baskets, supplements) beyond the government's ₹500. If you are a TB patient in need of more support, ask your DOTS provider if any Ni-kshay Mitra sponsors are available in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have been on TB treatment for 3 months but haven't received any payment. What to do?

First, confirm you are registered on NIKSHAY with correct bank details. Visit your nearest DOTS centre or District TB Unit (DTU) with your Aadhaar and bank passbook. Check if your monthly follow-up visits are being recorded in NIKSHAY — missed entries can delay payment.

My treatment is at a private hospital and I haven't received ₹500. Why?

Your private doctor may not have notified your case on NIKSHAY, or may not be registered. Visit the District TB Centre with your TB diagnosis report — they will register you and ensure you get the benefit.

Is the ₹500 per month for each family member with TB?

Yes — each individual TB patient gets ₹500/month. If two family members have TB, both get ₹500 each, provided both are separately registered on NIKSHAY.

Will I continue to get ₹500 after TB treatment is complete?

No — payments stop once treatment is completed. The benefit is only during active treatment.

Is ₹500 per month enough for nutrition?

It is a supplement, not a full meal allowance. The government intends it to cover extra nutritious foods like eggs, milk, and protein supplements during the high-calorie needs of TB treatment.

I had TB before 2018. Did I miss out?

Nikshay Poshan Yojana was launched in April 2018. Patients who completed treatment before that are not eligible for retroactive payments.

Official Links

• NIKSHAY platform: nikshay.in
• National TB programme: tbcindia.gov.in
• Helpline: 1800-11-6666 (NTEP toll-free)
• Contact: Your nearest District TB Unit (DTU) or DOTS centre