New Delhi:
For Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries, the “Ward Entitlement” in private empanelled hospitals is strictly linked to their Basic Pay / Pay Level. Booking a ward higher than your entitlement without a medical emergency often leads to partial claim settlement.
Updated on: 16 January 2026 | Verified against MoHFW OM S.11011/11/2016-CGHS(P).
CGHS Ward Entitlement 2026: Private vs Semi-Private Pay Level Limit
Quick Answer
Your hospital accommodation depends on your 7th CPC Pay Level:
тАв General Ward: Up to Level 6 (Basic Pay below тВ╣47,600).
тАв Semi-Private Ward: Level 7 to 11.
тАв Private Ward: Level 12 and above.
Who Is Eligible
- All Serving Central Govt Employees holding a valid CGHS Card.
- Central Govt Pensioners and their dependents.
- MPs, Judges, and Freedom Fighters (Specific rules apply).
Risk: The “Package Rate” Trap
If you voluntarily choose a higher ward (e.g., Level 6 employee booking a Private Ward):
1. You will be reimbursed ONLY for the General Ward rates.
2. Treatment charges (Surgery/Doctors) in private hospitals are often linked to the room category. You will have to pay the difference in treatment cost from your own pocket.
Ward Entitlement Table (2026)
Check your Pay Matrix Level to find your exact entitlement.
| 7th CPC Pay Level | Corresponding Basic Pay | Ward Entitlement |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 to 6 | Upto тВ╣47,600 | General Ward |
| Level 7 to 11 | тВ╣44,900 to тВ╣69,700 | Semi-Private Ward |
| Level 12 & Above | тВ╣78,800 & Above | Private Ward |
Change in Subscription Rates
Your monthly CGHS contribution is also linked to your entitlement level. (Deducted from salary/pension).
- Level 1-5: тВ╣250 per month
- Level 6: тВ╣450 per month
- Level 7-11: тВ╣650 per month
- Level 12+: тВ╣1,000 per month
Frequently Asked Questions
What if no entitled bed is available in emergency?
In a medical emergency certified by the hospital, if your entitled ward is unavailable, you can be admitted to a higher ward. The hospital must charge you as per your entitlement (not the higher rate) or the CGHS will reimburse the full amount upon justification.
Is Level 6 eligible for Semi-Private?
No. This is a common misconception. Level 6 falls under “General Ward” category unless the Basic Pay crosses specific pre-2016 thresholds, but under current 7th CPC rules, Level 7 is the starting point for Semi-Private.
ЁЯЗоЁЯЗ│ рд╣рд┐рдВрджреА рдореЗрдВ рд╕рд╛рд░рд╛рдВрд╢ (Summary in Hindi)
CGHS рд╡рд╛рд░реНрдб рдирд┐рдпрдо 2026
1. рдЬрдирд░рд▓ рд╡рд╛рд░реНрдб: рдЕрдЧрд░ рдЖрдк Pay Level 1 рд╕реЗ 6 рдореЗрдВ рд╣реИрдВред
2. рд╕реЗрдореА-рдкреНрд░рд╛рдЗрд╡реЗрдЯ: рдЕрдЧрд░ рдЖрдк Pay Level 7 рд╕реЗ 11 рдХреЗ рдмреАрдЪ рд╣реИрдВред
3. рдкреНрд░рд╛рдЗрд╡реЗрдЯ рд╡рд╛рд░реНрдб: рдХреЗрд╡рд▓ Pay Level 12 рдФрд░ рдЙрд╕рд╕реЗ рдКрдкрд░ рдХреЗ рдЕрдзрд┐рдХрд╛рд░рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдПред
4. рд╕рд╛рд╡рдзрд╛рдиреА: рдЕрдЧрд░ рдЖрдк рдЕрдкрдиреА рдорд░реНрдЬреА рд╕реЗ рдорд╣рдВрдЧрд╛ рд░реВрдо рд▓реЗрддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ, рддреЛ рд╕рд░рдХрд╛рд░ рдХреЗрд╡рд▓ рдЖрдкрдХреЗ рд╣рдХ (Entitlement) рдХрд╛ рдкреИрд╕рд╛ рджреЗрдЧреА, рдмрд╛рдХреА рдЖрдкрдХреЛ рднрд░рдирд╛ рд╣реЛрдЧрд╛ред