India rolls out nationwide scheme offering ₹1.5 lakh cashless treatment for road accident victims

In a major move to support road accident victims across India, the government on Tuesday launched a nationwide cashless treatment scheme offering medical coverage of up to ₹1.5 lakh per person, per accident. The scheme will be available for seven days from the date of the accident and applies to all individuals injured in road accidents involving motor vehicles.

The scheme ensures that victims can avail free medical care at any hospital designated under the program. For non-designated hospitals, only basic stabilisation procedures will be covered. The initiative is universal in nature, applicable to anyone injured in such accidents regardless of social or economic class.

The National Health Authority (NHA) has been appointed as the implementing agency. It will work in tandem with police, hospitals, and State Health Agencies to execute the scheme on-ground. Each state and Union Territory will also have a State Road Safety Council acting as a nodal body to manage and supervise operations within their region.

A dedicated digital portal will streamline coordination, hospital onboarding, and payment disbursals. Additionally, the central government will set up a steering committee to oversee the scheme’s nationwide implementation and ensure real-time monitoring.

This cashless initiative follows a pilot program launched in March 2024 and is now being expanded nationwide with full integration into the public health infrastructure. The move aims to reduce fatalities and financial distress among accident victims by ensuring immediate and accessible medical care.