PM RAHAT Scheme — Free Cashless Treatment up to ₹1.5 Lakh for Road Accident Victims

India records over 1.7 lakh road accident deaths every year, and studies show that nearly 50% of these deaths are preventable with timely medical intervention during the first hour after an accident — known as the Golden Hour. To address this, the Government of India launched the PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme on 14 February 2026.

Under PM RAHAT, every road accident victim is entitled to free cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for a period of 7 days from the date of accident — regardless of income, insurance status, or identity documents.

What is PM RAHAT Scheme?

PM RAHAT stands for Pradhan Mantri Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment. It is a national cashless emergency treatment scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

The core promise: No road accident victim in India will be denied life-saving treatment due to lack of money or documents.

Key Highlights at a Glance

Who is Eligible for PM RAHAT Scheme?

The eligibility criteria are intentionally simple and inclusive:

• Any person who is a victim of a road accident on any category of road in India
• No income limit — applies to all citizens regardless of economic status
• No documents needed at the time of hospital admission
• Covers pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, car passengers, truck occupants — anyone involved in a road accident
• No distinction between insured and uninsured vehicles
• Hit-and-run victims are also fully covered

Important: The victim does not need to carry an Aadhaar card, health card, or any ID at the time of the accident. Hospitals cannot refuse treatment citing lack of documents.

What Treatment is Covered Under PM RAHAT?

The scheme covers all emergency medical treatment required within 7 days of the accident:

Covered ✅

• Emergency stabilization and first aid
• Surgeries (including orthopaedic and neurosurgery)
• ICU and critical care
• Medicines, consumables, and implants
• Diagnostic tests (X-ray, CT scan, MRI, blood tests)
• Ambulance charges
• Blood transfusion
• Ventilator support
• Post-operative care within the 7-day window

Not Covered ❌

• Treatment beyond 7 days from the accident date
• Treatment exceeding ₹1.5 lakh (victim must bear additional costs or use other insurance)
• Non-accident-related medical conditions
• Cosmetic or elective procedures
• Cases not authenticated by police within the defined timeline

Stabilization Treatment Window

Hospitals must begin treatment immediately. Police authentication happens in parallel — it does not delay treatment.

Which Hospitals are Covered?

PM RAHAT treatment is available at:

1. All government hospitals (district hospitals, medical colleges, trauma centres)
2. Private hospitals empanelled under the scheme through the National Health Authority (NHA)

The hospital network leverages the existing Ayushman Bharat - PMJAY empanelled hospital infrastructure, significantly expanding coverage from day one.

Tip: Call 112 from the accident site to get details of the nearest designated hospital and request ambulance assistance.

How to Avail PM RAHAT — Step-by-Step

Here's what to do if you or someone you know is involved in a road accident:

Step 1: Call 112 Immediately

Dial 112 (Emergency Response Support System / ERSS) from any phone. Inform them about:

• Location of the accident
• Number of injured persons
• Severity of injuries

The 112 helpline will coordinate ambulance dispatch and identify the nearest designated hospital.

Step 2: Reach the Nearest Designated Hospital

The victim should be taken to the nearest government or empanelled private hospital. Good Samaritans (Rah-Veer) who help transport victims are legally protected under the Good Samaritan Law.

Step 3: Hospital Begins Cashless Treatment

The hospital will:

• Admit the victim and begin emergency treatment immediately
• Register the case on the eDAR (Electronic Detailed Accident Report) platform
• No upfront payment or documents required from the victim

Step 4: Police Authentication

• Police will authenticate the accident digitally within 24 hours (non-life-threatening) or 48 hours (life-threatening)
• This happens on the integrated digital system — the victim or family does not need to visit a police station

Step 5: Treatment Continues for up to 7 Days

Cashless treatment continues for up to 7 days from the accident date, with coverage up to ₹1.5 lakh.

Step 6: Hospital Claims Reimbursement

After treatment, the hospital submits claims through the TMS 2.0 (Transaction Management System) of the National Health Authority. Approved claims are paid within 10 days.

How Do Hospitals Get Reimbursed?

Reimbursement is managed through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF):

Claims approved by the State Health Agency are paid within 10 days, ensuring hospitals have financial certainty and no reason to delay or deny treatment.

The Golden Hour — Why Speed Saves Lives

The Golden Hour refers to the first 60 minutes after a traumatic injury. Medical research shows that receiving treatment within this window dramatically improves survival rates.

PM RAHAT's integration with the 112 helpline ensures:

• Quick identification of the nearest hospital
• Ambulance dispatch coordination
• Seamless hospital admission without paperwork delays

Nearly 50% of road accident deaths in India are preventable with timely Golden Hour intervention — this is exactly what PM RAHAT aims to fix.

PM RAHAT vs Ayushman Bharat — Key Differences

Note: If a road accident victim also has an Ayushman Bharat card, they can use PMJAY benefits for treatment beyond the 7-day PM RAHAT window.

Technology Behind PM RAHAT

The scheme operates on two integrated digital platforms:

1. eDAR (Electronic Detailed Accident Report) — MoRTH's platform for accident reporting and tracking
2. TMS 2.0 (Transaction Management System) — NHA's platform for claim processing and hospital payments

This integration enables end-to-end digital management: accident reporting → hospital admission → police authentication → treatment tracking → claim processing → payment.

Grievance Redressal

If a road accident victim faces issues in availing PM RAHAT benefits:

• Contact the Grievance Redressal Officer nominated by the District Road Safety Committee
• The committee is chaired by the District Collector / District Magistrate / Deputy Commissioner
• Grievances are handled at the district level for faster resolution

Helpline Numbers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is PM RAHAT scheme?

PM RAHAT is a government scheme providing free cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident victims for 7 days from the date of accident. It was launched on 14 February 2026.

2. Who is eligible for PM RAHAT scheme?

Any person who is a victim of a road accident on any road in India is eligible. There is no income limit, age restriction, or documentation requirement at the time of admission.

3. Do I need documents to get treatment under PM RAHAT?

No. Hospitals cannot ask for Aadhaar, health card, or any other document before starting emergency treatment. Documentation happens later through the digital system.

4. What is the PM RAHAT scheme hospital list?

All government hospitals and private hospitals empanelled under the National Health Authority are designated PM RAHAT hospitals. Call 112 to find the nearest one.

5. How much treatment is free under PM RAHAT?

Up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim for a period of 7 days from the date of accident, covering emergency care, surgeries, ICU, medicines, and diagnostics.

6. Does PM RAHAT cover hit-and-run accidents?

Yes. Hit-and-run victims are fully covered. The government pays from budgetary allocation through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.

7. What happens if treatment costs exceed ₹1.5 lakh?

The victim or their family must bear costs beyond ₹1.5 lakh. They can use health insurance or vehicle insurance for additional coverage.

8. Can I use PM RAHAT and Ayushman Bharat together?

PM RAHAT covers the first 7 days of emergency treatment. If extended care is needed, eligible patients can switch to Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) benefits.

9. How do I call for help during a road accident?

Dial 112 from any phone. This is the national emergency helpline that coordinates ambulances, police, and hospital admissions.

10. What is the Golden Hour in road accidents?

The Golden Hour is the first 60 minutes after an accident. Getting treatment within this window can prevent up to 50% of road accident deaths.

11. Who pays for PM RAHAT treatment — the victim or the government?

The government pays through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. If the offending vehicle was insured, insurance companies contribute. For uninsured/hit-and-run cases, the government pays directly.

12. How quickly do hospitals get paid under PM RAHAT?

Approved claims are paid within 10 days by the State Health Agency, ensuring hospitals are financially motivated to provide timely treatment.

13. Is PM RAHAT available in private hospitals?

Yes, at private hospitals that are empanelled under the National Health Authority. Not all private hospitals are covered — check with the 112 helpline for designated hospitals near you.

14. What should a Good Samaritan (Rah-Veer) do?

If you witness an accident, call 112 and help transport the victim to the nearest hospital. Good Samaritans are legally protected — you will not face police harassment or legal complications for helping.

Related Guides

• Ayushman Bharat Card — Download, Eligibility & Apply Online
• Health Insurance — How to Buy & Claim Process
• Vehicle Insurance — Buy Online & Claim Guide