Himachal Pradesh Patrakar Kalyan Yojana offers cash support to serving and retired accredited journalists of Himachal Pradesh who face serious illness, accidents, or other difficult situations. Information and Public Relations Department of the state manages this scheme, and in case of death of a journalist, the help reaches the legal heirs or dependent family members.
Himachal Pradesh Patrakar Kalyan Yojana replaced the old Himachal Pradesh Journalists Welfare Fund Scheme, 2006 in 2017. The state government updated the benefit amounts again in 2018, and as of August 2026 the scheme continues for eligible accredited journalists under these revised rules. Readers can also check the full list of Himachal Pradesh government schemes 2026.
About Himachal Pradesh Patrakar Kalyan Yojana
Scheme was created through the Himachal Pradesh Patrakar Kalyan Yojana, 2017 notification dated 24 March 2017 and published in the Rajpatra of Himachal Pradesh. A committee chaired by the Minister-in-Charge of Information and Public Relations takes the decisions, while the Director (I&PR) works as Member Secretary and handles the day to day functions.
When the scheme started, around ₹1 crore was placed in the Patrakar Kalyan Fund along with the balance of the old welfare fund. From this fund, the Director can release ₹25,000 as immediate relief in emergency cases such as death, serious illness, or accident, and the committee approves these payments later.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Himachal Pradesh Patrakar Kalyan Yojana |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| Nodal Department | Information and Public Relations Department |
| Target Beneficiaries | Serving and retired accredited journalists and their legal heirs |
| Benefit Type | Cash support |
| Medical Emergency Support | Up to ₹2,50,000 |
| Application Mode | Offline |
| Official Website | himachalpr.gov.in scheme page |
Benefits Under Himachal Pradesh Patrakar Kalyan Yojana
Financial support under this scheme depends on the nature of the emergency. Amounts given below are the revised figures after the 31 July 2018 amendment:
| Condition | Financial Support |
|---|---|
| Permanent incapacitation while on field duty (serving journalist) | ₹1,00,000 |
| Death while performing field duties (serving journalist) | ₹2,00,000 |
| Death during attack or any untoward incident of violence (serving journalist) | ₹3,00,000 |
| Medical emergency or major disease (serving journalist) | Up to ₹2,50,000 |
| Medical emergency or major disease (retired journalist) | Up to ₹2,50,000 |
| Death of retired accredited journalist | ₹50,000 |
| Immediate emergency relief | ₹25,000 |
Medical support up to ₹2,50,000 is released as per the need for major diseases like kidney transplant, heart disease, or cancer. This limit was raised from ₹50,000 through the July 2018 amendment, so the older figures shown in earlier posts are no longer valid.
For example, if a serving journalist needs treatment for a serious heart condition, the family can claim treatment help up to ₹2,50,000, provided the required medical certificates are submitted with the application.
Eligibility
Himachal Pradesh Patrakar Kalyan Yojana is open to serving and retired accredited journalists of Himachal Pradesh and their legal heirs. Points to check before applying:
- Applicant should be an accredited journalist working in Himachal Pradesh, or a retired accredited journalist who meets the service rules.
- In case of death, the surviving spouse, dependent children, or legal heir can apply. For an unmarried journalist, the dependent father or mother gets the support.
- Retired journalists should have completed at least 20 years as accredited journalists with the state government and should be 58 years of age or more.
- Retired applicants should not have taken up any other gainful employment after retirement, apart from journalism.
- Annual family income limit of ₹1,80,000 was removed on 31 July 2018, so an income certificate is no longer required.
- Members of the old 2006 welfare fund are automatically treated as members of the new scheme.
For medical claims, the journalist also needs to give an undertaking that the treatment cost has not been claimed from the media organization. A certificate from the employer about this may be asked by the department.
Application Process
Himachal Pradesh Patrakar Kalyan Yojana follows an offline application process. There is no online portal for this scheme, and the application form can be downloaded from the official department website.
How to Apply Offline
STEP 1 - Go to the official website of the Information and Public Relations Department of Himachal Pradesh and open the scheme page to download Patrakar Kalyan Yojana application form (Form-I).
STEP 2 - Fill in every required field in the form, including personal details, nature of employment, reason for support, and bank account information, and attach self-attested copies of the supporting documents.
STEP 3 - State level journalists can submit the form directly to the Director (I&PR). District and sub-division level journalists, and legal heirs, should submit it through the District Public Relations Officer of their district.
STEP 4 - Take a signed receipt with the date and reference number after submitting the form. District Public Relations Officer sends the completed application with comments to the Director (I&PR), and the committee then reviews the case for approval.
Documents Required
Keep these documents ready before filling the application form:
- Identity proof such as Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN card, or ration card.
- Death certificate of the journalist when the claim is filed by a legal heir.
- Medical certificate and treatment papers from a recognized doctor or hospital for medical emergency claims.
- Documentary proof of accident, illness, or the incident, as required under the scheme rules.
- Undertaking that medical help has not been claimed from the media organization, and employer certificate if asked.
References
Official scheme rules and the application form are available on the department website: Himachal Pradesh Patrakar Kalyan Yojana guidelines and Form-I.
FAQ's
Is Himachal Pradesh Patrakar Kalyan Yojana available in 2026?
Yes, the scheme continues under the 2017 rules as amended in 2018. Eligible accredited journalists and their families can still apply for support through the Information and Public Relations Department.
What is the purpose of this scheme?
Scheme gives financial support to serving and retired accredited journalists when they face serious illness, accidents, or other adverse situations, and to their families in case of death.
How much medical help can a journalist get?
Up to ₹2,50,000 as per the need for major diseases like kidney transplant, heart disease, or cancer. This limit was raised from ₹50,000 through the 2018 amendment.
Who can apply after the death of a journalist?
Surviving spouse, dependent children, or legal heir can apply. For an unmarried or single journalist, the dependent father or mother receives the support.
Is the annual income limit still applicable?
No. Condition of annual family income below ₹1,80,000 was removed in July 2018, so an income certificate is not required anymore.
How do I apply for support?
Submit the signed Form-I to the Director (I&PR) office directly or through the District Public Relations Officer, along with the required documents.
Who administers the scheme?
Committee headed by the Minister-in-Charge of Information and Public Relations, with the Administrative Secretary, Finance Secretary, and Director (I&PR) as members.
How much immediate help can I get?
Director (I&PR) can grant ₹25,000 as immediate support in emergency cases, with later approval from the committee.
How are funds audited?
Accounts are maintained by the Director (I&PR) and audited regularly by the Local Auditor.