Rah-Veer Scheme, earlier known as Good Samaritan Scheme, is running and the reward for helping road accident victims has gone up to ₹25,000. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways continued this scheme for the XVI Finance Commission cycle, which runs from 2026-27 to 2030-31, so helpers can still earn the cash award plus an appreciation certificate for saving a life within the golden hour.
Any person who takes a seriously injured accident victim to a hospital or trauma care centre within one hour of the accident qualifies for this reward. The ministry released revised scheme guidelines with effect from 17 July 2026 and also increased the award amount from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 per incident.
Rah-Veer Scheme - Introduction
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launched the Good Samaritan Scheme on 3 October 2021 to encourage citizens to help accident victims without fear. Under the new guidelines, the same scheme is now called Rah-Veer Scheme, and it pays ₹25,000 in cash to every person who saves the life of a victim of a serious motor vehicle accident by rushing them to the nearest hospital within the golden hour.
The revised guidelines came into effect on 17 July 2026, and the scheme will run till 31 March 2031 under the XVI Finance Commission cycle. The ministry provides an initial grant of ₹25 lakh to the transport department of every state and union territory for making these payments. Details of every awarded helper are now uploaded on the eDAR portal, and the money is sent directly to the bank account through PFMS within 7 days of approval.
The scheme also protects helpers from legal trouble. Under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 and the Good Samaritan rules notified in 2020, no legal action can be taken against a Rah-Veer without consent. No hospital or police station can force a helper to stay, pay for treatment or share personal details.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Rah-Veer Scheme (earlier Good Samaritan Scheme) |
| Launched By | Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India |
| Launched On | 3 October 2021 (revised guidelines from 17 July 2026) |
| Beneficiaries | People who save road accident victims within the golden hour |
| Benefit Amount | ₹25,000 per incident |
| National Award | ₹1,00,000 for top 10 Rah-Veers every year |
| Application Mode | Offline, through police and hospital |
| Valid Till | 31 March 2031 |
| Official Website | morth.gov.in |
Benefits
Helpers get a cash reward plus an official appreciation certificate for every verified life-saving act. The award amount depends on how many people helped the victim:
| Scenario | Reward Amount |
|---|---|
| One Rah-Veer saves one or more victims | ₹25,000 |
| Multiple Rah-Veers save one victim | Share of ₹25,000 equally |
| Multiple Rah-Veers save multiple victims | ₹25,000 per victim (max ₹25,000 per person) |
Every cash award comes with a certificate of appreciation. Also, the ministry selects 10 outstanding individuals every year for national level awards, providing a cash prize of ₹1,00,000 to each winner. One person can receive an award up to five times within a single year.
Accident victims can also get free treatment under the Cashless Treatment Scheme for Road Accident Victims. State governments run their own version of this reward as well, like the Raah-Veer Yojana in Madhya Pradesh, which pays the same ₹25,000 reward to local helpers.
Eligibility
To qualify for this reward, you should meet the following criteria:
- You must save the victim by providing immediate support and rushing them to a hospital or trauma care centre within the golden hour, which is the first one hour after a serious injury.
- You must be willing to disclose your identity and share basic details, as helpers who stay anonymous are not eligible for the award.
Application Process
There is no online form for this scheme. The whole process runs through the police, hospital and district level committee, and no fee is charged for it. Follow these steps:
STEP 1 - If you informed the police first, request an official acknowledgment letter from them in the standard format. If you took the victim to the hospital directly, the hospital informs the police, and the police will then give you the acknowledgment letter.
STEP 2 - The acknowledgment letter contains your name, mobile number, address, place, date and time of the incident, and a description of how you helped save the victim. Keep this letter safe because it is the main proof for the award.
STEP 3 - The police station sends a copy of the acknowledgment to the district level appraisal committee, which works under the chairmanship of the district magistrate. The SSP, chief medical officer and regional transport officer are also members of this committee.
STEP 4 - The committee reviews and approves cases every month and sends the approved list to the transport commissioner of the state or union territory. A state level monitoring committee under the principal secretary (Home) keeps track of the whole process.
STEP 5 - The district magistrate uploads your details along with Aadhaar or bank account number on the eDAR portal, and the transport department sends ₹25,000 directly to your bank account through PFMS within 7 days of approval.
Documents
Keep these documents ready when your case is being checked:
- Official acknowledgment letter from the local police station in the standard format.
- Valid identity card such as Aadhaar card.
- Permanent address proof.
- Active bank account details for the direct payment.
- Hospitalization details and certification from the doctor.
Definitions
Golden Hour
As per section 2(12A) of the Motor Vehicles Act, golden hour means the time period lasting one hour following a traumatic injury during which prompt medical care has the highest chance of preventing death. Read official scheme guidelines
Serious Accident
A serious accident means any motor vehicle accident that leads to major surgery, brain or spinal cord injuries, at least three days of hospitalization, or death of the victim during treatment, certified by a hospital.
References
- Scheme Guidelines on Rah-Veer (official PDF)
- MoRTH letter continuing the scheme for XVI Finance Commission cycle
- PIB press release on Rah-Veer and Good Samaritan protections
- eDAR portal for accident reports
- Official website of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
FAQ's
Who is a Good Samaritan or Rah-Veer?
A Rah-Veer, earlier called a Good Samaritan, is a person who voluntarily helps an accident victim in good faith by giving immediate medical support, without expecting any payment.
What is the purpose of the Good Samaritan Law?
The law protects helpers from legal harassment and unnecessary police or hospital procedures, so that people can help someone in need without any fear.
How much is the cash award under this scheme?
Each person who helps save a life is now entitled to an award of ₹25,000 per incident, along with a certificate of appreciation.
How many times can I be rewarded in a year?
You can be awarded a maximum of five times per calendar year under this scheme.
Is the scheme still active in 2026?
Yes. The scheme was continued for the XVI Finance Commission cycle from 2026-27 to 2030-31, and the revised guidelines came into effect on 17 July 2026.
Do I need to pay any fee to get the award?
No. The scheme is completely free. No fee or agent is needed, and the money goes directly to your bank account through PFMS.
Will I get a certificate along with the money?
Yes, every cash award includes a formal certificate of appreciation, and outstanding helpers can also get national level awards.