The Centre has rolled out the Prime Minister–Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment (PM-RAHAT) Scheme, which provides cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for victims of road accidents, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Under the scheme, victims of road accidents involving motor vehicles will be eligible for treatment coverage of up to ₹1.5 lakh for a maximum of seven days from the date of the accident, regardless of the type of road where the accident occurs.
Scheme Launched Under Motor Vehicles Act
The PM-RAHAT scheme has been notified under Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2026.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued detailed operational guidelines and standard operating procedures to ensure smooth implementation of the programme across the country.
Treatment During the “Golden Hour”
According to the ministry, accident victims will receive stabilisation treatment at designated hospitals, with coverage including:
- Up to 24 hours of treatment in non-life-threatening cases
- Up to 48 hours in life-threatening situations
The treatment will be provided based on the response and verification from police authorities.
Officials said the scheme is designed to ensure immediate medical care during the critical “golden hour” after an accident, which is crucial for saving lives.
Digital Integration for Faster Response
The PM-RAHAT scheme operates through a fully digital system linking accident reporting, hospital treatment and claim settlement.
Authorities have integrated the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) platform, used by police to report accidents, with the Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0) used by hospitals under the National Health Authority.
This integration creates a complete digital trail, covering accident reporting, hospital admission, treatment records, police verification, claim processing and payment.
Funding Through Motor Vehicle Accident Fund
Payments to hospitals will be made through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF).
The fund is financed through:
- Contributions from general insurance companies in cases where the offending vehicle is insured
- Government budgetary support for uninsured or hit-and-run cases
The scheme will take precedence over other central or state-level schemes for accident treatment.
Linked to 112 Emergency System
The PM-RAHAT scheme is also integrated with the 112 Emergency Response Support System, allowing victims or Good Samaritans to locate the nearest designated hospital or request an ambulance.
Once a victim is admitted, hospitals must begin treatment under predefined health packages developed by the National Health Authority while police initiate verification through the eDAR platform.
Police authorities have 24 hours to respond on the system, or 48 hours in life-threatening cases.
Over 36,000 Hospitals Covered
Hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana that meet the scheme’s guidelines are automatically considered designated hospitals.
As of March 9, 2026, a total of 36,112 hospitals are empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat programme.
Payments to hospitals will be processed within 10 days after claim approval by the State Health Agency, ensuring timely reimbursement.
Multi-Level Monitoring and Grievance Redressal
To ensure transparency and accountability, the government has established a multi-tier grievance redressal mechanism.
- District Road Safety Committees will monitor implementation at the district level
- Unresolved complaints can be escalated to the District Collector and State Road Safety Council
- At the national level, an inter-ministerial steering committee will oversee the scheme’s implementation
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the initiative aims to ensure timely and uninterrupted medical care for road accident victims, especially during the crucial period immediately following an accident.
