Nikshay Poshan Yojana — ₹500/Month Nutrition Support for TB Patients

Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) is a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) that provides ₹500 per month as nutritional support to all notified TB patients in India during their treatment period. The scheme is part of the TB Mukt Bharat mission to eliminate TB from India by 2025.

Disclaimer: CitizenNest is an independent informational platform and is not affiliated with the Government of India or NTEP.

What is Nikshay Poshan Yojana?

Nutrition plays a critical role in TB recovery. Malnourished patients are more susceptible to TB and have worse treatment outcomes. Recognizing this, the government launched Nikshay Poshan Yojana in April 2018 to:

• Provide ₹500 per month to each notified TB patient
• Support nutritional needs during the treatment duration
• Transfer money directly to the patient's bank account via DBT
• Cover both public and private sector notified TB patients

The scheme is implemented through the Nikshay portal (nikshay.in), India's web-based TB surveillance system.

Who is Eligible?

• All TB patients notified on the Nikshay portal
• Patients undergoing treatment in government or private healthcare facilities
• Both new and previously treated TB patients
• Patients with drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB
• No income or caste-based restrictions — universal coverage for all TB patients

How the Scheme Works

1. Patient is diagnosed with TB at any healthcare facility
2. The treating doctor/facility notifies the case on the Nikshay portal
3. Patient's bank account details and Aadhaar are linked on the portal
4. ₹500 is transferred every month to the patient's bank account via DBT
5. Payments continue for the entire duration of treatment (6-24 months depending on TB type)
6. First installment of ₹1,000 (for first 2 months) is paid upfront upon notification

Documents Required

• Aadhaar card (for identity verification and DBT)
• Bank account details (account number, IFSC code)
• TB treatment card / Nikshay ID
• Bank account must be linked to Aadhaar for DBT

Note: If a patient doesn't have a bank account, they can receive payment through a family member's account or through a designated Nikshay Mitra.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Through Government Health Facility

1. Get Diagnosed — Visit a government hospital, DOTS centre, or PHC for TB testing
2. Start Treatment — Begin anti-TB treatment (DOTS)
3. Automatic Notification — The health facility registers you on the Nikshay portal
4. Provide Bank Details — Share your bank account number, IFSC code, and Aadhaar with the health worker
5. Receive Payments — ₹500/month is transferred directly to your bank account

Through Private Health Facility

1. Get Diagnosed — Visit a private doctor/hospital for TB testing
2. Mandatory Notification — The private doctor notifies your case on Nikshay (mandatory under law)
3. Treatment Initiation — Start treatment as prescribed
4. Bank Details — Provide your banking details to the treating facility or DTCO (District TB Control Officer)
5. Receive Payments — DBT payments begin after notification and bank detail verification

For Self-Registration (Patients)

1. Visit nikshay.in
2. Click on "Patient Login" or contact the local DTCO
3. Provide your treatment details and bank information
4. The DTCO verifies and initiates the payment process

Payment Details

Nikshay Mitra — Community Support

The Ni-kshay Mitra (TB Mukt Bharat) initiative allows individuals, organizations, and corporates to "adopt" TB patients and provide additional support:

• Nutritional support beyond the government's ₹500/month
• Monthly food baskets with protein-rich items
• Vocational and livelihood support
• Register as Nikshay Mitra at nikshay.in

Important Tips

1. Ensure Notification — Make sure your treating doctor has notified your case on Nikshay. It's mandatory by law.
2. Link Aadhaar to Bank — Without Aadhaar-bank linkage, DBT payments will not be processed.
3. Complete Treatment — Do not stop treatment even if you feel better. Incomplete treatment leads to drug-resistant TB.
4. Track Payments — Check your bank account regularly. Contact the DTCO if payments are delayed.
5. Free Treatment — TB diagnosis and treatment are completely free at government facilities under NTEP.

Related Guides

• Check the Ayushman Bharat hospital guide for free hospitalization
• Read about ABHA Health ID for maintaining digital health records
• See the Jan Aushadhi guide for affordable medicines
• Check our Aadhaar card guide for Aadhaar-related help

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How do I check if I am registered on the Nikshay portal?

Ask your treating doctor or health worker for your Nikshay ID. You can also contact the District TB Control Officer (DTCO) of your district or call the TB helpline at 1800-11-6666.

Q2: What if my private doctor has not notified my TB case?

Notification of TB cases is mandatory by law (under the Indian Public Health Service regulations). If your private doctor hasn't notified, request them to do so. You can also contact the DTCO directly.

Q3: Can I receive the payment in a family member's bank account?

Yes, if you don't have a bank account, the payment can be routed through a family member's account. Inform the health worker or DTCO about the alternate account details.

Q4: Will I receive Nikshay Poshan Yojana benefits for drug-resistant TB?

Yes, patients with drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB, XDR-TB) are also eligible. Since drug-resistant TB treatment is longer (12-24 months), you will receive payments for the entire treatment duration.

Q5: Is the ₹500/month in addition to free medicines?

Yes, the ₹500/month nutritional support is in addition to the free TB diagnosis and medicines provided under the National TB Elimination Programme. It's meant specifically for nutritional supplementation.

Q6: What happens if I miss doses or discontinue treatment?

Payments may be paused if you miss doses or discontinue treatment. More importantly, irregular treatment can lead to drug-resistant TB, which is harder to treat. Contact your health worker if you face any difficulties.

Last updated: February 2026. Always verify current scheme details on nikshay.in or tbcindia.gov.in.