AI SummaryNikshay Poshan Yojana is running for tuberculosis patients across India. Under this scheme, every notified TB patient gets ₹1,000 per month as Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for nutrition during the whole treatment period. The scheme started in April 2018 and continues under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
The amount was doubled from ₹500 to ₹1,000 per month from 1 November 2024. Since April 2018, the government has paid out ₹4,322 crore to 1.35 crore TB patients through this scheme.
TB treatment can last from six months to a year. During this time, patients need proper food to recover fast and avoid side effects. Nikshay Poshan Yojana makes sure patients do not struggle with food expenses while taking treatment.
Nikshay Poshan Yojana - Introduction
Nikshay Poshan Yojana is a central government scheme run by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is a key part of TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the national drive to eliminate TB from India. The scheme gives monthly money support to TB patients so they can eat well during recovery. Better nutrition helps treatment work faster and lowers the chance of relapse.
Patients notified as TB cases on or after 1 April 2018 are covered. If the patient's name is registered on the NIKSHAY portal, the patient qualifies for this support. The scheme covers patients treated in public hospitals as well as private clinics.
For a full list of health and welfare schemes run by the central government, see the complete list of schemes launched by PM Narendra Modi.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Nikshay Poshan Yojana |
| Launched By | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| State | All |
| Category | Health and Wellness |
| Eligible People | All TB patients |
| Benefit Amount | ₹1,000 per month (DBT) |
| Application Mode | Through TB health provider / NIKSHAY portal |
| Official Website | nikshay.in |
Benefits
Patients get ₹1,000 per month for the entire duration of TB treatment. The money goes directly to the patient's bank account through DBT. This amount helps cover the cost of a proper diet, which is very important for TB recovery.
Along with the cash support, TB patients also get free diagnosis and free medicines under the National TB Elimination Programme. Under the Ni-kshay Mitra programme, community members, companies and NGOs also send food baskets to patients. Till now, 45.66 lakh food baskets have reached 20.3 lakh TB patients since September 2022.
Eligibility
TB patients who meet the following conditions can get the benefit:
- Notified TB patient: The person should be officially notified as a tuberculosis patient on or after 1 April 2018.
- Registered on NIKSHAY portal: The patient's record should exist on the official NIKSHAY portal.
- Any treatment facility: Patients treated in a public clinic or a private facility are both covered.
Application Process
The application process is easy. The patient does not need to fill any online form on their own. The TB health provider handles the enrollment on the NIKSHAY portal.
STEP 1 - Prepare an Aadhaar-linked savings bank account. If the patient does not have a bank account, open one first through the Jan Dhan Yojana or at the India Post Payments Bank.
STEP 2 - Give the bank passbook, a cancelled cheque, or a bank statement to the TB health provider. The provider enters these details on the NIKSHAY portal. Every patient needs a separate account; one account cannot be shared by two patients. If the patient cannot open an account, a trusted family member's account can be used with a written consent.
STEP 3 - The system sends the bank details to the PFMS (Public Financial Management System) for checking. If the details are correct, the status changes to Validated and payments start. If the details are rejected, the patient gets an SMS asking them to visit the health provider and correct the errors.
Documents
Keep these documents ready so that payments are not delayed:
- Bank Proof: A photocopy of the bank passbook showing name, account number and IFSC code, or a cancelled cheque, or a recent bank statement. The account should be a savings account.
- Aadhaar Card: Aadhaar is optional but it speeds up the verification. If the patient does not have Aadhaar, the enrollment acknowledgement receipt can be submitted.
- Authorization Form: If the money has to go to a family member's account, a signed consent form is required.
2026 Updates
Nikshay Poshan Yojana is still active in 2026. The benefit of ₹1,000 per month continues for all notified TB patients. In a reply in Parliament in December 2025, the government confirmed that ₹4,322 crore has been paid out to 1.35 crore TB patients under the scheme since April 2018.
The government released a new Ni-kshay Mitra guidance document in March 2026 to expand community support for patients. The Nikshay TB Mukt Bharat App and the TB Aarogya Sathi app also help patients track their treatment and find nearby health facilities.
In early 2026, some states reported delays in payments because funds from the Union Health Ministry were released late. Maharashtra received around ₹350 crore in the first week of January 2026 and the money was sent to districts. Patients facing delayed payments can contact their local health provider, their district TB officer, or call the Ni-kshay Sampark helpline at 1800-11-6666.
References
View Official Guidelines (DBT Manual)
Visit Official Nikshay Website
Download Ni-kshay Mitra Guidance Document 2026
Ni-kshay Community Support Dashboard
PIB Release: Nutrition Support Doubled to ₹1,000
FAQ's
Who is eligible for the benefit under Nikshay Poshan Yojana?
Any tuberculosis patient notified on the NIKSHAY portal on or after 1 April 2018 is eligible. Patients treated in the public or private sector both get the benefit.
What is the amount I will receive?
₹1,000 per month for the entire treatment period. The amount was doubled from ₹500 to ₹1,000 from 1 November 2024.
What documents are required to apply?
Bank account details (passbook or cancelled cheque) and Aadhaar card. If using a family member's account, a written consent form is required.
What should I do if I do not have a bank account?
Open a savings bank account. The health worker can help open one through the Jan Dhan Yojana.
How is the money paid?
The money is sent directly to the bank account through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) after the bank details are verified.
How can I check my validation status?
Ask the TB treatment supporter or a health provider to check the status in the NIKSHAY system.
Can I move my benefits if I change my residence?
Yes. Benefits follow the patient to the new district once the location is updated on the NIKSHAY portal.
What if I want to skip the cash benefit?
The patient can opt out by submitting a formal written declaration. The status then changes to Forego Benefits in the portal.
Is Nikshay Poshan Yojana still running in 2026?
Yes. The scheme is active and the ₹1,000 monthly benefit continues for all notified TB patients under the National TB Elimination Programme.
Where can I get help if my payment is delayed?
Contact the local health provider or call the Ni-kshay Sampark TB and Hepatitis helpline at 1800-11-6666.