If you are a Central Government employee and a beneficiary of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), here’s a major update you must not miss. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has officially launched a new digital portal for CGHS, shutting down the old website. Going forward, all CGHS-related services will be offered online through this upgraded system, making healthcare access faster, easier, and more transparent.

Old System Retired, New Era Begins

Until now, central government employees used the Bharatkosh portal (bharatkosh.gov.in) to pay for CGHS subscriptions and renew their cards. However, that system was developed back in 2005, and no major upgrades had been made since then, making it outdated in the current digital age.

Recognizing the need for modernization and better user experience, the government has replaced it with a new digital process under the Health Management Information System (HMIS). This system was developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) and is designed to bring CGHS in line with Digital India goals.

What’s Changing for CGHS Users?

From now on, beneficiaries will be able to:

• Make online payments for CGHS subscriptions

• Apply for new CGHS cards

• Renew existing CGHS cards

• Access real-time updates and track their application status

• Benefit from streamlined processing and reduced paperwork

Key Features of the New Digital Portal

1. User-Friendly Interface: The new portal has been designed to be intuitive for all users, including retired employees and senior citizens.

2. Faster Processing: Tasks that earlier required physical visits or lengthy waits can now be completed online within minutes.

3. Transparent Status Tracking: Applicants can now track the status of their payments and card processing in real time.

4. 24x7 Availability: No more waiting for office hours. The new portal is available round the clock for users to access services as per their convenience.

What Is HMIS?

The Health Management Information System (HMIS) is a centralized digital platform that integrates healthcare-related data and services for government employees. It aims to:

• Digitize healthcare benefits

• Create a unified user experience

• Reduce human error

• Bring better accountability and service speed

HMIS is part of the broader mission to modernize public health infrastructure digitally.

What You Need to Do

• Visit the new CGHS portal (official link expected to be shared soon by the Ministry).

• Log in using your employee or pensioner details.

• Choose the service you want – subscription payment, new card, or renewal.

• Complete payment through digital modes (UPI, net banking, etc.).

• Download confirmation and track your request.

Why This Change Matters

With the growing push for digitization, this move is expected to:

• Eliminate long queues and delays

• Save time for employees and administrators

• Ensure secure data handling and quicker service delivery

• Reduce reliance on outdated manual systems

This is a significant step forward in making central healthcare services more accessible and efficient for lakhs of current and retired government employees.

✅ Final Word

The shift to a fully digital CGHS platform marks a transformative moment in India’s public healthcare administration. Government employees and pensioners are advised to familiarize themselves with the new portal and take full advantage of the online services now available. As the system goes live, expect more updates and enhancements in the coming months—ushering in a smarter, more connected healthcare experience.