New Delhi, Sept. 19 -- Serving central government employees posted or living outside the geographical coverage of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) can now decide, plan, and opt for CGHS benefits, subject to the applicable conditions.

This is a recent development announced by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in an Office Memorandum dated 17 September 2026. Let us discuss this development in detail, along with the history, inception and significance of CGHS.

To put it simply, the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is a government healthcare programme for serving and retired Central government employees and their eligible family members. It was launched in Delhi on 1 July 1954, primarily to provide medical care and...