NE LAW & HEALTH BUREAU
NEW DELHI, FEB 26
In a transformative step aimed at saving thousands of lives lost in road accidents every year, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has intensified nationwide implementation of the PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme, ensuring cashless emergency treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim.
.@MORTHIndia sensitizes Stakeholders on “PM RAHAT” – Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims
India records a significant number of road accident fatalities every year, many of which are preventable with timely medical intervention. Studies indicate that nearly 50% of road… pic.twitter.com/HQ1A8Ivawe
— PIB India (@PIB_India) February 26, 2026
The initiative, launched by Narendra Modi on February 13, 2026, is designed to eliminate financial hesitation and procedural delays during the critical “Golden Hour”—the first hour after an accident when prompt medical care can mean the difference between life and death.
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways activates nationwide push to operationalise PM RAHAT, ensuring zero-delay treatment for accident victims
- Victims entitled to cashless care up to ₹1.5 lakh for 7 days—transforming emergency healthcare access across India
- 112 helpline integration, digital accident tracking, and hospital reimbursement system ensure speed, transparency, and accountability
- Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari leads multi-state coordination to eliminate preventable road fatalities and strengthen the Golden Hour response
A high-level national review meeting, chaired by Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari and attended by Ministers of State Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra, assessed readiness across states, hospital networks, digital platforms, and emergency response systems to ensure seamless rollout.
Cashless Care, Zero Delay: A Lifesaving Promise for Every Citizen
Under PM RAHAT, every eligible road accident victim—irrespective of income, insurance, or location—will receive:
- Cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per person
- Coverage for up to 7 days from the date of accident
- Immediate stabilization treatment—24 hours for non-critical and 48 hours for life-threatening cases
The scheme applies to accidents on all categories of roads, ensuring universal protection.
Integration with the national 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) ensures accident victims, Good Samaritans (Rah-Veers), or bystanders can instantly connect with emergency responders and locate the nearest designated hospital.
Minister Gadkari: “Saving Lives Is the Highest Priority”
Chairing the review, Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari emphasized the urgency and mission behind the scheme.
“PM RAHAT represents a decisive national commitment to ensure that no road accident victim is denied timely treatment due to financial or procedural barriers. Our priority is to save lives by ensuring seamless emergency response and cashless treatment across India.”
He stressed that coordination between states, hospitals, police, and digital platforms will be critical to achieving the scheme’s lifesaving objectives.
Digital Backbone Ensures Speed, Transparency, and Accountability
The scheme operates through an integrated technology ecosystem linking:
- Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) platform
- Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0) of the National Health Authority
- Police authentication systems
- Hospital admission and reimbursement networks
This ensures real-time digital tracking—from accident reporting to hospital admission, treatment, claim approval, and payment settlement.
Hospitals will receive reimbursement through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF), supported by insurance contributions and government funds in uninsured or hit-and-run cases.
Approved claims will be settled within 10 days, ensuring financial certainty for hospitals and uninterrupted care for patients.
Golden Hour Focus: Addressing India’s Silent Public Health Emergency
India records one of the highest numbers of road fatalities globally, with studies indicating that nearly 50% of deaths can be prevented with treatment within the Golden Hour.
PM RAHAT directly addresses this crisis by removing the most critical barriers:
- Financial hesitation
- Hospital admission delays
- Coordination gaps
- Administrative bottlenecks
District-level grievance redressal officers, chaired by District Magistrates, will ensure accountability and prompt resolution of complaints.
Whole-of-Government Mission to Save Lives
The national review meeting saw participation from Transport and Health Ministers, DGPs, State Health Agencies, and senior officials from multiple ministries, reflecting a unified national commitment.
States reported significant progress in onboarding hospitals, integrating digital platforms, and preparing district-level implementation systems.
Officials described PM RAHAT as a “whole-of-government approach” to emergency healthcare—transforming India’s road safety and trauma care landscape.
A National Safety Net When Every Second Matters
By guaranteeing cashless treatment, integrating emergency response, and digitising the entire care ecosystem, PM RAHAT creates a safety net that ensures no accident victim is left untreated due to financial or procedural barriers.
The scheme marks a paradigm shift—from reactive compensation to proactive lifesaving intervention—placing human life above all else.
