Delhi Arogya Kosh 2026: ₹5 Lakh Cashless Medical Support, Revised Guidelines and Eligibility

Delhi government is running Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) in 2026 to give cashless medical support of up to ₹5 lakh to poor families of Delhi for surgeries, critical illnesses and costly diagnostic tests in government and empanelled private hospitals. Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) revised the scheme rules in May 2026 to make referrals faster and more clear.

Families with yearly income up to ₹3 lakh, living in Delhi for the last 3 years, can apply for this help through the Medical Superintendent office of the treating government hospital. Money goes directly to the hospital via ECS, so patients do not have to pay anything from their own pocket.

Delhi Arogya Kosh 2026 - What Has Changed

DGHS has issued fresh implementation rules in May 2026 to fix delays and stop misuse of referrals. Two big changes now affect how patients get help under DAK.

First, before sending a patient to a private hospital for a planned surgery or treatment, the treating government hospital must first check if a free EWS (Economically Weaker Section) bed is available in the identified private hospital. Referral under DAK will happen only when EWS beds are not available.

Second, for imaging tests like MRI, CT Scan and PET Scan, hospitals must first use the facility inside government hospitals. A referral to a private diagnostic centre under DAK is now allowed only if the government facility cannot give the test within 3 days or the machine is not working. Non-compliance with these rules will be viewed seriously by the health department.

Delhi Arogya Kosh Highlights 2026

How to Apply for Delhi Arogya Kosh

Application for Delhi Arogya Kosh is offline and starts from the government hospital where the patient is getting treatment. Applicants have to download the form from the DGHS website, get it signed by the treating doctor, and submit it to the Medical Superintendent office. Steps are given below.

STEP 1 - Visit the official DGHS website at dgehs.delhi.gov.in and go to the Delhi Arogya Kosh page. Download the DAK application form (Form for Financial Assistance). If internet access is a problem, the same form is available at the Medical Superintendent office of the treating hospital.

STEP 2 - Fill the form carefully with patient details, family income, residence details and estimated cost of treatment. Paste a passport-size photo of the patient on the form and get it verified by the treating doctor. Two witnesses have to sign the form.

STEP 3 - Attach all required documents like income certificate, residence proof (3 years), Voter ID card of Delhi, Aadhaar card, and the medical estimate signed by the treating doctor. For minor patients, attach the Birth Certificate and parent's residence proof.

STEP 4 - Submit the complete form with documents to the Medical Superintendent office of the treating government hospital. The hospital will check the file and forward it to the Director General of Health Services for approval.

STEP 5 - Approval happens in stages. Amounts up to ₹25,000 are cleared at the DGHS level. Support up to ₹1.5 lakh is cleared after Finance Department approval. Support above ₹1.5 lakh and up to ₹5 lakh is cleared by the Chairman, DAK.

STEP 6 - Once approved, the approved amount is sent to the treating hospital directly through ECS transfer. Patients get an update by speed post or a phone call. Treatment continues in a cashless manner and the family does not have to pay the covered amount.

Who Can Apply for Delhi Arogya Kosh

Eligibility rules for Delhi Arogya Kosh 2026 are strict about income and residence. Only poor families of Delhi getting treatment in a government or empanelled hospital can apply. Main rules are given below.

• Total yearly family income of the patient should be up to ₹3 lakh. For example, if Ramesh, a resident of Delhi, has a family income of ₹2.5 lakh per year, his family qualifies for support.
• Patient should be a bonafide resident of Delhi for at least the last 3 years before the date of application.
• Patient must be getting treatment in a Delhi Government hospital, Central Government hospital, AIIMS, autonomous institute, or an empanelled private hospital referred through DAK.
• Valid Voter ID card of Delhi is required for adult patients. For minor patients, the Voter ID of the parent is checked.

Benefits Under Delhi Arogya Kosh

Delhi Arogya Kosh covers a wide range of medical costs so that poor families do not have to sell property or take loans for treatment. Support is given directly to the hospital in a cashless way.

Under the scheme, patients can get up to ₹5 lakh for treatment of any illness in a government hospital. This covers high-end surgeries like cardiac surgery, kidney treatment (including dialysis and transplant related costs), and neurological procedures. Cost of implants and stents is also covered after checking.

On the diagnostic side, free imaging tests like MRI, CT Scan, PET Scan, Ultrasound, Doppler Studies, Mammography, EEG, EMG, TMT and ECHO are given through empanelled diagnostic centres when the same facility is not available in the government hospital within 3 days. Both NABH and non-NABH accredited centres empanelled under DGEHS are covered.

Documents Required

Applicants have to submit clear copies of the documents listed below. Missing documents are the most common reason for delay, so keep the file complete before submission.

For income proof, one of these is required. National Food Security Card is accepted when the yearly income is below ₹1 lakh. Income Certificate issued by the area SDM is accepted when the yearly income is up to ₹3 lakh.

For residence proof of the last 3 years, any one of these is accepted: Domicile Certificate, Ration Card, Voter ID card, Driving License, Passport, extract from Electoral Roll, or Aadhaar card. If the patient is a minor, Birth Certificate of the child along with the parent's residence proof is required.

Other required papers are the medical estimate signed by the treating doctor of the government hospital, patient's passport-size photo, and the DAK application form filled with signatures of two witnesses and attested by the Medical Superintendent.

List of Empanelled Hospitals

Empanelled hospitals include all Delhi government run hospitals, local body hospitals under MCD and NDMC, AIIMS, RML, Safdarjung, and autonomous institutes under the Delhi or Central government. Several private hospitals are also empanelled for EWS beds and specific diagnostic services.

Full updated list of empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres is available on the DGHS website. Patients are advised to check the latest list before requesting a referral, as the list is updated by DGHS from time to time.

Related Health Schemes

Residents of Delhi can also check other health support schemes that run along with DAK. For example, Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi gives up to ₹5 lakh yearly cover for poor families, and construction workers can look at the Delhi Construction Workers Health Scheme for up to ₹10 lakh cashless cover. Senior citizens can also apply for the Ayushman Bharat health card for senior citizens.

References

Official DGHS page: dgehs.delhi.gov.in/dghs/delhi-arogya-kosh

Health department page: health.delhi.gov.in/health/delhi-arogya-kosh

Also available on: UMANG App

FAQ's

Is Delhi Arogya Kosh still running in 2026?

Yes, DAK is running. DGHS revised the rules in May 2026 to make referrals faster. Free EWS beds in identified private hospitals must be checked first before a paid referral, and imaging tests must be done in government hospitals when possible.

How much financial help does DAK give?

Up to ₹5 lakh cashless support is given for treatment in a government hospital. Amounts up to ₹25,000 are approved at the DGHS level, up to ₹1.5 lakh after Finance Department approval, and above ₹1.5 lakh by the Chairman, DAK.

What is the income limit to apply?

Family income should be up to ₹3 lakh per year. Income Certificate from the area SDM is used as proof. Families with income below ₹1 lakh per year can use their National Food Security Card as proof.

Can I apply online for Delhi Arogya Kosh?

Application is offline. The form has to be filled, signed by the treating doctor and Medical Superintendent, and submitted at the government hospital. The form and scheme details are available online at dgehs.delhi.gov.in and on the UMANG App.

Which hospitals are covered under DAK?

All Delhi government hospitals, MCD and NDMC hospitals, AIIMS, RML, Safdarjung, autonomous institutes, and empanelled private hospitals for EWS beds are covered. Many diagnostic centres are also empanelled for imaging tests.

Is Voter ID mandatory for DAK application?

Yes, a valid Delhi Voter ID card is required for adult patients. For minor patients, the Voter ID of the parent is checked along with the child's Birth Certificate.