PM RAHAT Scheme: Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims

What is the PM RAHAT Scheme?

PM RAHAT is a statutory Central Sector Scheme, launched in February 2026 under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, guaranteeing every eligible road accident victim on any category of road cashless treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh for seven days from the date of the accident, with the scheme taking precedence over any other central or state-level scheme covering the same treatment.

The scheme addresses two structural gaps that have long affected road accident survival rates in India: delay in trauma care delivery immediately after an accident and the financial barrier that often stops hospitals from beginning treatment before payment assurance is confirmed. PM RAHAT is designed to remove both barriers simultaneously.

Key Features and Coverage

• Cashless treatment coverage of up to Rs 1.5 lakh per victim, applicable for seven days from the date of the accident
• Stabilization care is guaranteed for up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours in life-threatening cases, subject to police authentication.
• Applies to every eligible road accident victim on any category of road, not limited to national highways or specific road classifications
• No advance payment required from the victim at empanelled hospitals for emergency stabilization
• Statutory backing under the Motor Vehicles Act gives this scheme precedence over other central or state-level schemes covering similar treatment.

How the Scheme Actually Works

How does a victim access treatment under PM RAHAT?

The scheme operates through a technology-driven framework that creates a seamless digital link from accident reporting through the 112 Emergency Response Support System to hospital admission, treatment, police authentication, claim processing, and final payment, meaning any individual, whether the victim or a bystander acting as a Good Samaritan, can call the emergency helpline to trigger the process.

• The accident is reported by the victim or a bystander through the National Emergency Response Support System; dial 112.
• The victim is transported to the nearest empanelled hospital, whether government or private.
• The hospital registers the accident victim through a dedicated digital portal, using identification such as Aadhaar where available.
• Stabilization treatment begins immediately without requiring any advance deposit from the victim.
• Police authentication of the accident is completed as part of the digital claim trail
• The claim is processed and, once approved by the State Health Authority, payment is released to the hospital within a defined timeframe.
• The entire trail runs on integration between the Electronic Detailed Accident Report platform of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Transaction Management System of the National Health Authority, enabling real-time tracking, verification, and claim settlement.

Funding Mechanism

Who pays for treatment under PM RAHAT?

Hospitals are reimbursed through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund; if the vehicle involved in the accident is insured, payment is made from contributions by general insurance companies, and in uninsured or hit-and-run cases, expenses are covered through the Government of India budgetary allocation instead.

This dual funding structure is what makes the scheme viable at national scale without placing the entire financial burden on the government budget, since the majority of accident cases involving insured vehicles are funded through the insurance sector’s own contributions to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.

Who is eligible?

• Any individual, whether an Indian citizen or a foreign national, who meets with a road accident on Indian roads is eligible for emergency stabilization under the scheme.
• The scheme covers trauma and injuries specifically resulting from road traffic accidents, on any category of road.
• Treatment must be sought at a government hospital or a private hospital empanelled within the PM RAHAT network to access the cashless benefit directly.
• The requirement for facial identification of an accident victim to claim relief under the scheme has been removed in later implementation guidance, simplifying access for victims who cannot be immediately identified.

Grievance Redressal

Grievances relating to treatment, claims, or reimbursement under PM RAHAT are addressed by a Grievance Redressal Officer, nominated by the District Road Safety Committee, which is chaired by the District Collector or District Magistrate. This structure gives victims and their families a defined local escalation point rather than having to navigate a purely central-level complaint process.

Key Takeaways

• PM RAHAT guarantees cashless treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh per road accident victim for seven days from the date of the accident, on any category of road.
• The scheme is funded through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, with insured vehicle cases funded by general insurance company contributions and uninsured or hit-and-run cases funded through government budgetary allocation.
• Stabilization care is guaranteed for 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and 48 hours in life-threatening cases, subject to police authentication.
• The scheme integrates the Electronic Detailed Accident Report platform with the National Health Authority’s Transaction Management System for real-time claim tracking.
• Grievances are handled locally through a Grievance Redressal Officer nominated by the District Road Safety Committee.

FAQs

How much treatment coverage does PM RAHAT Scheme provide?

PM RAHAT provides cashless treatment coverage of up to Rs 1.5 lakh per road accident victim, applicable for a period of seven days from the date of the accident.

Who funds the treatment costs under PM RAHAT?

Hospitals are reimbursed through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund; payment comes from general insurance company contributions if the offending vehicle is insured and from the Government of India budgetary allocation in uninsured or hit-and-run cases.

Is PM RAHAT available to foreign nationals injured in a road accident in India?

Yes, any individual, whether an Indian citizen or a foreigner, who meets with a road accident on Indian roads is eligible for emergency stabilization and treatment under the scheme.

Does a victim need to pay anything upfront at the hospital under PM RAHAT?

No, the scheme guarantees cashless treatment, meaning victims do not need to make advance payments or deposits at empanelled hospitals for emergency stabilization care.

Which ministry administers the PM RAHAT Scheme?

PM RAHAT is a Central Sector Scheme administered under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, integrated with the Emergency Response Support System and the National Health Authority’s claim processing system.

How is a grievance under PM RAHAT resolved?

Grievances are addressed by a Grievance Redressal Officer nominated by the District Road Safety Committee, which is chaired by the District Collector or District Magistrate, giving victims a defined local escalation channel.

Talk to Growthora.

While PM RAHAT is a public healthcare and road safety scheme rather than a business scheme, our clients in the fleet operations, logistics, and transport sector often need to understand how it interacts with vehicle insurance obligations and compliance. Book a free consultation with Growthora Advisory for practical guidance relevant to your business.