PM RAHAT Scheme

India’s emergency healthcare response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the launch of the PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment) Scheme.

The scheme guarantees cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per road accident victim for seven days from the date of the accident, ensuring that no life is lost due to lack of immediate medical care.

The announcement was made by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which described the initiative as a citizen-first reform aimed at reducing preventable road accident fatalities.

What is PM RAHAT Scheme?

PM RAHAT is a national cashless emergency treatment scheme designed to provide immediate financial and medical support to road accident victims across all categories of roads in India.

Key Highlights

•  Cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim

•  Coverage for 7 days from the date of accident

•  Applicable across India on all road categories

•  Integrated with 112 emergency helpline

•  Applicable at designated government and empanelled private hospitals

Golden Hour Focus: Saving Lives Through Timely Care

India records a significant number of road accident deaths annually. Studies show that nearly 50% of fatalities can be prevented if victims receive hospital treatment within the Golden Hour — the first hour after a serious injury.

PM RAHAT prioritizes this critical window by:

• Enabling quick hospital identification through 112

• Coordinating emergency responders, police, and hospitals digitally

• Ensuring financial clearance does not delay treatment

Stabilisation & Treatment Window

After police validation through the integrated digital platform:

• 24 hours coverage for non-life-threatening cases

• 48 hours coverage for life-threatening cases

• Overall treatment coverage up to ₹1.5 lakh within 7 days

Organisations Involved

• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)

  • Policy oversight

  • Integration via Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) platform

• National Health Authority (NHA)

  • Claims processing

  • Managed through Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0)

Funding & Reimbursement Mechanism

Reimbursements to hospitals will be made through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF).

• Insured vehicle cases: Funded through contributions by general insurance companies

• Uninsured or Hit & Run cases: Covered through government budgetary support

• Approved claims to be paid within 10 days by State Health Authorities

Police Authentication & Accountability

To ensure transparency and prevent misuse:

• Mandatory police confirmation within 24–48 hours

• Digital linkage between eDAR (MoRTH) and TMS 2.0 (NHA)

• District-level grievance redressal under Road Safety Committee chaired by District Collector/DM

How to Avail PM RAHAT Scheme?

Road accident victims, Rah-Veer (Good Samaritans), or any bystander can:

 Dial 112

• Get details of the nearest designated hospital

• Request ambulance assistance

• Enable coordinated response between emergency services and hospitals

Significance of the Scheme

The PM RAHAT Scheme:

• Addresses India’s high road accident fatality rate

• Strengthens the Good Samaritan ecosystem

• Removes financial barriers to emergency treatment

• Enhances digital governance in road safety and healthcare

The launch from Seva Teerth in New Delhi symbolises the government’s commitment to timely action, compassionate response, and protection of life.