India records over 1.5 lakh road accident deaths annually, with thousands more suffering life-altering injuries. Timely medical intervention during the critical “Golden Hour” often determines survival, yet financial barriers and delayed hospital access have long compounded the tragedy. To address this, the Government of India launched the Prime Minister – Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment (PM-RAHAT) Scheme in February 2026. This flagship Central Sector Scheme, under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), provides cashless emergency medical treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim for a maximum of seven days from the date of the accident. It applies to all road accidents involving motor vehicles on any category of road—national highways, state roads, or city streets—and covers Indian citizens and foreign nationals alike.
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PM Rahat Scheme 2026 Objectives
Notified under Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, PM-RAHAT was formally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 February 2026. It integrates seamlessly with existing digital platforms to eliminate upfront payments, bureaucratic delays, and insurance hassles. The scheme prioritises stabilisation treatment—up to 24 hours for non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours for life-threatening ones—at designated hospitals.
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| PM Rahat Scheme 2026 |
It takes statutory precedence over other central or state health schemes, ensuring immediate care without red tape. Funded through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF), it draws from insurance company contributions for insured vehicles and central budgetary support for hit-and-run or uninsured cases. As of March 2026, over 36,000 hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) that meet NHA guidelines are deemed designated facilities.
PM Rahat Scheme 2026 Highlights
| Aspect | Key Highlight |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Prime Minister – Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment (PM-RAHAT) Scheme |
| Launch Date | 13 February 2026 |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) |
| Treatment Coverage | Cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 Lakh per victim |
| Duration of Coverage | Maximum 7 days from the date of accident |
| Eligibility | All road accident victims involving motor vehicles (any road category, any age, nationality, or fault) |
| Helpline Number | 112 (Unified Emergency Response Support System) |
| Registration Process | No prior registration or form required |
| How to Avail | Dial 112 → Go to nearest empanelled hospital → Inform "PM-RAHAT road accident" |
| Key Benefit | Zero out-of-pocket expense during Golden Hour; immediate stabilisation |
| Police Role | Mandatory authentication via eDAR within 24/48 hours |
| Hospitals Covered | Over 36,000 empanelled hospitals (mostly under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY) |
| Funding Source | Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF) |
| Main Objective | Prevent deaths due to lack of immediate medical care after road accidents |
Pradhanmantri Jan Dhan Yojana
Key Features of PM Rahat Scheme 2026
- Cashless Treatment: No deposit or insurance documents required at admission.
- Universal Coverage: Applies irrespective of fault, vehicle insurance status, or road type.
- Digital End-to-End Workflow: Links police reporting, hospital treatment, and claim settlement.
- Focus on Golden Hour: Ensures rapid ambulance dispatch and hospital admission.
- Reimbursement Timeline: State Health Agencies (SHAs) settle approved claims within 10 days to keep hospitals financially viable.
The scheme forms the “Emergency Care” pillar of India’s 4E road safety strategy (Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Emergency Care) and aims to halve road fatalities by 2030
Pm Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
What Treatment is Covered under PM Rahat Scheme 2026
The PM Rahat Scheme provides comprehensive cashless treatment for road accident victims, focusing on immediate trauma and poly-trauma care. It covers emergency stabilization, surgery, diagnostics, medicines, ICU care, and necessary hospitalization. For non-life-threatening injuries, initial stabilization treatment is covered for up to 24 hours. In life-threatening cases, this extends to 48 hours. After initial stabilization, the scheme allows full treatment for a maximum of 7 days or up to ₹1.5 lakh, whichever comes earlier.
No advance payment or deposit is required from the victim or their family. The hospital directly initiates treatment and later claims the amount from the government through the digital system. This ensures that every road accident victim receives timely and quality care without any financial burden during the critical Golden Hour.
Eligibility Criteria
Any person injured in a road accident caused by a motor vehicle qualifies. There is no income, age, or nationality bar. The scheme covers pedestrians, two-wheeler riders, four-wheeler occupants, and even good Samaritans injured while helping. It excludes non-motor vehicle accidents (e.g., bicycle-only collisions without motor involvement). Treatment must begin at a designated hospital, and police authentication of the accident is mandatory for full coverage beyond initial stabilisation.
Rah-Veer: Reward for Good Samaritans Who Help
Under the PM Rahat Scheme 2026, the government has introduced the Rah-Veer Scheme to honour and encourage ordinary citizens who step forward to help road accident victims. A Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) who provides timely assistance — especially by rushing a seriously injured victim to a hospital or trauma centre within the Golden Hour (first 60 minutes) — receives a cash reward of ₹25,000 along with a Certificate of Appreciation.
If multiple people help in the same incident, the reward is shared equally. A person can claim this reward up to five times in a year, subject to verification by the authorities. This initiative aims to remove fear and hesitation, motivating more people to become life-savers on the roads without worrying about legal hassles or personal loss. By recognising these real-life heroes, the Rah-Veer Scheme strengthens the spirit of compassion and plays a vital role in reducing road accident deaths across India.
Quick Tip: In an emergency, just dial 112 — you can become a Rah-Veer and save a life!
PM Rahat Scheme Helpline Number
The sole dedicated helpline for immediate assistance is 112—India’s unified Emergency Response Support System (ERSS). How to use 112 under PM-RAHAT:
- Dial 112 from any mobile or landline (no SIM or network required in many areas).
- Inform the operator about the road accident and location.
The ERSS will:
- Locate the nearest designated PM-RAHAT hospital.
- Dispatch an ambulance if needed (integrated with NHAI’s 1,200+ ambulances on national highways).
- Coordinate with police and hospital teams in real time.
- Good Samaritans assisting victims are called RAH-VEER and receive the same guidance.
No separate PM-RAHAT toll-free number exists; 112 serves as the single window for emergency response, hospital navigation, and scheme activation. In some states, 112 operators have been specially trained to flag PM-RAHAT cases for priority handling. Callers should clearly mention “road accident” and provide GPS location or landmarks for fastest response.
Registration Process & Step-by-Step Guide to Avail Cashless Treatment
No prior registration, application form, or online portal is required. PM-RAHAT is designed as a zero-contact, automatic activation scheme triggered the moment a victim reaches a designated hospital. The entire process is digital and takes minutes.
Step-by-Step Process:
At the Accident Site: Victim, bystander, or good Samaritan dials 112. Provide accident details and location. ERSS guides to the nearest empanelled hospital and arranges ambulance transport if required.
Hospital Admission: Reach the designated hospital (government or private empanelled under AB PM-JAY or state-designated). Inform the emergency counter: “Road accident under PM-RAHAT Scheme.” No Aadhaar, insurance papers, or cash deposit is needed for admission.
Initial Stabilisation: Hospital initiates emergency care immediately using NHA’s Health Benefit Packages. Treatment ID is generated on the Transaction Management System (TMS) 2.0 platform of the National Health Authority (NHA).
Police Authentication (eDAR Integration): Hospital pushes the Treatment ID to the district police via the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) portal.
Police verify the accident within:
- 24 hours for non-life-threatening cases,
- 48 hours for life-threatening cases (extendable by hospital administrator). Police response is mandatory for full cashless coverage.
Full Cashless Treatment: Once authenticated, treatment continues up to ₹1.5 lakh or 7 days, whichever is earlier. All diagnostics, medicines, surgery, ICU stay, and post-stabilisation care are covered.
Claim Settlement: Hospital submits claims on TMS 2.0. SHA approves and releases payment from MVAF within 10 days. Hospitals cannot charge victims at any stage.
The entire workflow is paperless and transparent, with a digital trail from 112 call to discharge summary. Victims or families receive SMS updates on treatment status and claim progress.
How the Scheme Ensures Smooth Implementation
PM-RAHAT merges two robust government platforms:
- eDAR: Police use this for real-time accident reporting.
- TMS 2.0: Hospitals use this for treatment logging and claims.
This integration eliminates delays. NHAI’s patrolling vehicles and ambulances on highways further strengthen the ecosystem. Over 5,000 health facilities along national highways have been mapped, with 1,700+ trauma centres.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism
The scheme has a robust three-tier grievance system:
- District Level: District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) appoints a Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO). Contact via local DRSC or 112 for escalation.
- State Level: Escalate to District Collector/DM, then State Road Safety Council (SRSC)—the nodal agency.
- National Level: Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee monitors and resolves high-level issues.
Victims can also register complaints through the hospital’s PM-RAHAT desk or the MoRTH grievance portal. All grievances are time-bound and monitored digitally.
Current Implementation Status (as of April 2026)
The scheme is live nationwide except in West Bengal (as of March 2026 data). Over 36,112 hospitals are onboarded. Early feedback highlights reduced “Golden Hour” mortality and zero out-of-pocket expenses for thousands of victims. States are rapidly designating additional hospitals to meet demand.
Benefits and Expected Impact
- Saves Lives: Removes financial hesitation during emergencies.
- Supports Hospitals: Assured, timely reimbursement prevents them from turning away patients.
- Promotes Road Safety: Encourages good Samaritans (RAH-VEER) by guaranteeing care.
- Economic Relief: Families avoid catastrophic health expenditure.
Experts estimate the scheme could prevent thousands of preventable deaths annually by ensuring treatment within the first hour.
Conclusion: Awareness is the First Step
The PM Rahat Scheme 2026 is more than a welfare programme—it is a life-saving safety net woven into India’s emergency response fabric. Remember: in a road accident, dial 112 immediately. No paperwork, no advance payment, no delay. Every second counts during the Golden Hour.
Spread awareness in your family, community, and workplace. Road safety is a shared responsibility. By knowing the helpline (112) and the simple activation process, you can become a RAH-VEER and save lives. The government has removed the financial barrier; now it is up to citizens to ensure no victim is left untreated due to ignorance or hesitation. For latest updates, visit the official MoRTH or NHA websites.
| PM Rahat Helpline | just dial 112 |
|---|---|
| Sarkari Yojana | Click Here |
| Join Telegram | Telegram |
FAQs on PM Rahat Scheme 2026
Q. What is PM Rahat Scheme?
A Central Government scheme that provides cashless emergency medical treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident victims for maximum 7 days.
Q. When was it launched?
13 February 2026 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Q. Who is eligible?
Any person injured in a road accident involving a motor vehicle (including pedestrians, good Samaritans & foreign nationals). No income or age limit.
Q. What is the helpline number?
112 (Unified Emergency Helpline). Dial 112 immediately after accident.
Q. Is any prior registration needed?
No. No form, no online registration, no documents required at the time of admission.
Q. How to avail the scheme?
- Dial 112
- Go to nearest empanelled hospital
- Tell them “Road accident under PM Rahat Scheme”
- Treatment starts immediately.
Q. How much coverage is given?
Up to ₹1.5 Lakh or 7 days, whichever is earlier. Covers stabilisation, surgery, medicines, ICU etc.
Q. Which hospitals are covered?
Over 36,000 empanelled hospitals (mostly under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY).
Q. Is treatment really cashless?
Yes. No deposit or payment needed from victim or family.
Q. What if police verification is delayed?
Hospital must provide initial stabilisation (24 hrs for normal, 48 hrs for serious cases) even before police approval.
Q. Does it cover hit-and-run cases?
Yes, fully covered.
Q. Is the scheme available in all states?
Available nationwide except West Bengal (as of April 2026).