Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme 2026: Get Up

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The Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme is now officially known as the PM-RAHAT Scheme, or Prime Minister – Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment Scheme. It provides eligible road accident victims with cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim, subject to a maximum treatment period of seven days from the accident date. The scheme covers victims involved in road accidents caused by motor vehicles on any category of road. This is an important and potentially life-saving initiative because immediate treatment during the Golden Hour can make a critical difference. The scheme was launched nationwide on February 13, 2026, using an integrated digital system connecting emergency services, police and designated hospitals.

What Is the Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme?

The Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme was originally notified as the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025. In February 2026, the scheme was renamed the PM-RAHAT Scheme. The main objective is to ensure that an accident victim can receive urgent medical treatment without an immediate financial burden during a critical emergency. Treatment is provided through designated hospitals under the scheme and is supported by a digital workflow involving the National Health Authority and police accident-reporting systems.

Importantly, this is not a scheme that requires an advance online application or registration by the victim. The treatment process begins when the accident victim reaches a designated hospital. Police authentication and the required digital process are handled through the integrated system while treatment is initiated according to the applicable procedure.

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Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme: Key Benefits

Benefit	Details
Maximum treatment cover	Up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim
Treatment period	Maximum of 7 days from the accident
Eligible victims	Victims of road accidents involving motor vehicles
Road coverage	Any category of road
Emergency assistance	Dial 112 for ambulance and hospital information
Hospital	Designated hospitals under the scheme
Scheme name	PM-RAHAT Scheme

The Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme also provides stabilisation treatment at designated hospitals. According to the government, stabilisation treatment can be provided for up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours in life-threatening cases, subject to police response and the scheme process.

Who Is Eligible for the ₹1.5 Lakh Cashless Treatment?

The biggest advantage of the PM-RAHAT Scheme is its broad coverage. A person involved in a road accident caused by the use of a motor vehicle may be eligible for treatment under the scheme. The official government information states that the coverage applies across any category of road.

The scheme is designed to provide emergency trauma care without requiring the victim to first arrange payment at the hospital. However, the benefit is subject to the scheme rules, treatment packages, financial limit and maximum seven-day period. Therefore, ₹1.5 lakh should not be misunderstood as unlimited or permanent free medical treatment for every subsequent expense.

How to Get Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Call 112 Immediately

After a road accident, the victim, a family member or a Good Samaritan can dial 112. The Emergency Response Support System can help provide information about the nearest designated hospital and arrange ambulance assistance where required.

Step 2: Take the Victim to a Designated Hospital

The accident victim should be taken to the nearest suitable designated hospital as quickly as possible. Immediate medical attention is the priority, especially during the Golden Hour following a serious injury.

Step 3: Hospital Starts Emergency Treatment

The designated hospital initiates treatment according to the applicable health benefit packages. The hospital generates the necessary treatment record on the National Health Authority’s digital system.

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Step 4: Police Verification Process Begins

Police authentication of the accident victim is initiated through the integrated eDAR and TMS 2.0 platforms. This digital system connects accident information with the hospital treatment process.

Step 5: Receive Cashless Treatment

Eligible treatment can be covered up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim, subject to the seven-day maximum period and scheme conditions. The hospital reimbursement is handled through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund rather than requiring the victim to arrange immediate payment for covered treatment.

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Important Warning: Do Not Delay Treatment

A dangerous mistake after a road accident is delaying emergency care while searching for documents, insurance details or money. The government has connected PM-RAHAT with the 112 emergency response system to improve access to nearby designated hospitals and ambulance services. Immediate medical care should always remain the first priority.

Which Hospitals Are Covered Under PM-RAHAT?

The scheme operates through designated hospitals onboarded for cashless treatment. Government information states that eligible hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, which comply with the relevant National Health Authority guidelines for PM-RAHAT, can also be treated as designated hospitals under the scheme. States and Union Territories can onboard additional hospitals according to the applicable guidelines.

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Hospital List

District	Hospital
Thiruvananthapuram	General Hospital Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram	Govt. Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram
Ernakulam	Ernakulam General Hospital
Ernakulam	Lourdes Hospital
Ernakulam	Amrita Hospital, Kochi
Ernakulam	Medical Trust Hospital
Ernakulam	M.A.J. Hospital
Ernakulam	District Hospital Aluva
Kottayam	Govt Medical College Hospital Kottayam
Kozhikode	Govt. Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode
Kozhikode	Baby Memorial Hospital
Malappuram	Ascent ENT Hospital, Perinthalmanna
Thrissur	Govt General Hospital Irinjalakuda
Thrissur	Rohini Hospital
Thrissur	Daya General Hospital & Specialty Surgical Centre
Pathanamthitta	Thiruvalla Medical Mission Hospital
Alappuzha	Sahrudaya Hospital
Wayanad	Government General Hospital Kalpetta

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme really free?

Eligible treatment is cashless up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim, subject to scheme rules and a maximum period of seven days.

Do I need to apply online before an accident?

No. The official process is designed for emergency treatment after an accident and does not require advance registration by the victim.

What number should I call after a road accident?

You can dial 112 to seek emergency assistance, ambulance support and information about the nearest designated hospital.

Does the scheme cover hit-and-run accidents?

Government information states that funding support also covers uninsured and hit-and-run cases through the applicable Motor Vehicle Accident Fund framework.

Conclusion

The Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme, now operating as the PM-RAHAT Scheme, is a major government initiative aimed at providing fast and potentially life-saving medical support after road accidents. Eligible victims can receive cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh, subject to the seven-day limit and scheme conditions.

The most important step is to act quickly, call 112 and reach a designated hospital without delay. Do not let confusion, fear or financial concerns stop emergency treatment. For more helpful public-service and transport guides, visit RealWhile Government Services.

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