Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has formally approved a new cashless medical treatment scheme for nearly 15 lakh teachers, non-teaching staff, and their families under the Basic and Secondary Education Departments. The UP cabinet cleared the scheme on 29 January 2026 and is being called the first-of-its-kind scheme in the state for education sector employees.
Under this scheme, eligible teachers and staff can now get cashless treatment at both government hospitals and empaneled private hospitals, on the lines of the Ayushman Bharat health model. The total annual budget set aside for this is around ₹448 crore, ₹358.61 crore for the Basic Education Department and ₹89.25 crore for the Secondary Education Department. Teachers and their dependent family members, including spouses, children, and dependent parents, are all covered.
Who is Covered Under the UP Teachers Cashless Treatment Scheme
The scheme covers a very wide range of teaching and non-teaching staff across both the Basic and Secondary Education Departments. Here is a breakdown of who falls under each category:
1. Basic Education Department
The scheme covers 4,34,426 teachers of the Basic Education Council, 13,380 teachers of government-aided junior high schools, 4,72,735 teachers of self-financed recognised schools under the council, 1,42,929 Shiksha Mitras, 24,717 instructors of upper primary schools, 7,479 wardens and full-time or part-time teachers of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), 97,344 cooks under the PM Poshan Yojana (Mid-Day Meal scheme), and 2,00,581 special educators. In total, over 11.95 lakh people are covered under this category, with an annual premium estimated at ₹358.61 crore.
2. Secondary Education Department
Under the Secondary Education Department, the coverage includes teachers and vocational subject experts working in aided schools, honorary teachers, staff of aided and self-financed schools recognized by the Sanskrit Education Council and the Secondary Education Council, and vocational subject experts working on honorarium basis in government and aided secondary schools. Around 2,97,579 people fall under this category, with an estimated expenditure of ₹89.25 crore.
For teachers in self-financed recognized schools, a district-level verification will be done by a committee headed by the District Inspector of Schools or the Basic Education Officer before the cashless facility is extended to them.
Official Notification of UP Teachers Cashless Treatment Scheme
Key Highlights of UP Teachers Cashless Medical Treatment Scheme
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | UP Teachers Cashless Medical Treatment Scheme |
| Announced By | CM Yogi Adityanath (on Teachers' Day, 5 Sept 2025) |
| Cabinet Approval | 29 January 2026 |
| Beneficiaries | ~15 lakh teachers, non-teaching staff & their families |
| Health Cover | Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year (cashless) |
| Departments Covered | Basic Education & Secondary Education |
| Based On | Ayushman Bharat model |
| Hospitals Covered | Government hospitals & empaneled private hospitals |
| Total Budget | Approx. ₹448 crore annually |
| Basic Education Budget | ₹358.61 crore |
| Secondary Education Budget | ₹89.25 crore |
| Who is Excluded | Those already covered under PM-JAY, CM Jan Arogya Abhiyan, or any other govt health scheme |
Benefits of the Scheme
This scheme works like the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) model, meaning teachers get the same kind of cashless facility that government employees have been getting through state health schemes. Here is what teachers and staff can expect:
- Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year - The health cover of ₹5 lakh applies to the entire family as a floater, meaning any one or more family members can use it in a year. This covers hospitalization, surgeries, OPD treatment, diagnostics, medicines, ICU charges, surgeon fees, and other related expenses.
- Cashless at empaneled hospitals - Teachers do not have to pay anything upfront or arrange money before treatment. They simply visit a listed government or private hospital, show their health card or Aadhaar, and get treatment directly.
- Families also covered - Spouse, children, and dependent parents of the teacher are covered under the same scheme, making it a full family health net.
How the Scheme Works?
The UP teachers cashless treatment scheme is built on the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission framework and is in line with the UP Ayushman Bharat model. Treatment rates and packages will follow the rates fixed under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the National Health Authority guidelines.
STEP 1 - Teachers and staff who are eligible will be issued a digital or physical health card linked to their service records. It is strongly advised to get your service records updated in advance to avoid any issues during card generation.
STEP 2 - When you need treatment, visit the nearest government hospital or any empaneled private hospital under the scheme. Present your health card and Aadhaar card at the hospital counter.
STEP 3 - The hospital will verify your details and initiate cashless admission and treatment. You will not need to pay anything out of pocket for covered procedures, up to the ₹5 lakh annual limit.
STEP 4 - For teachers in self-financed schools, the verification process by the district-level committee will happen first. Only after verification will the cashless facility be activated for those teachers. Contact your District Inspector of Schools or Basic Education Officer for updates.
For any help, teachers can also reach out to the UP Ayushman Bharat helpline or contact their respective school authorities for guidance on the card-making process.
Who is Not Eligible
The government has made it clear that this scheme will not be given to teachers and staff who are already getting cashless health benefits under any other central or state government scheme. This includes those already covered under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) or the Chief Minister Jan Arogya Abhiyan. The idea is to avoid double benefits and make sure the scheme covers only those who did not have access to any cashless health cover before.
FAQs
Who are the main beneficiaries of the UP teachers cashless treatment scheme?
Teachers, Shiksha Mitras, special educators, instructors, wardens, cooks under PM Poshan Yojana, and other staff under the Basic and Secondary Education Departments of UP, along with their dependent family members.
What is the health cover amount under this scheme?
Eligible teachers and their families get up to ₹5 lakh per year for cashless treatment at government and empaneled private hospitals.
Is this scheme available at private hospitals too?
Yes. Cashless treatment is available at both government hospitals and private hospitals empaneled under the scheme, following the rate structure of PM-JAY and the National Health Authority.
How many people will benefit from this scheme in total?
Around 15 lakh teaching and non-teaching staff and their families, 11.95 lakh under the Basic Education Department and around 2.97 lakh under the Secondary Education Department.
Are teachers already covered under Ayushman Bharat eligible?
No. Teachers and staff who are already getting cashless benefits under PM-JAY, CM Jan Arogya Abhiyan, or any other government health scheme will not be given this benefit again. It is meant for those not covered under any existing scheme.
Are honorary and vocational subject expert teachers also covered?
Yes. Honorary teachers and vocational subject experts working on an honorarium basis in government and aided secondary schools, along with their dependent family members, are included in the scheme.
When was this scheme approved?
The scheme was announced by CM Yogi Adityanath on Teachers' Day, 5 September 2025, and formally approved by the UP Cabinet on 29 January 2026.
What should teachers do to get ready for the scheme?
Teachers should update their service records as soon as possible. A health card will be issued based on service records, and any mismatch or outdated information may delay the card. Reach out to your school administration or District Inspector of Schools for next steps.