The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) has undergone a period of remarkable growth over the last five years, significantly widening the healthcare net for government employees and pensioners across India. Official data presented in Parliament reveals a strong expansion trend, with the scheme achieving its largest net gain in hospitals in 2025.
Five-Year Growth Trajectory: Additions Far Outpace Exits
The data provides a clear year-wise picture of the CGHS network's evolution. In 2021, 266 hospitals were empanelled against 22 exits. The following year saw 275 additions and 20 exits. The pace accelerated in 2023 with 398 new hospitals joining, though exits also slightly increased to 23. 2024 was a year of relative stability with 363 empanelments and 13 exits.
The year 2025 stands out distinctly, recording the highest number of both empanelments and exits in this five-year period. A massive 468 hospitals were brought into the CGHS fold nationwide, while 42 hospitals chose to exit the scheme. Despite the record number of departures, this resulted in the largest net addition of hospitals, underscoring the scheme's aggressive expansion.
State-Wise Expansion and Exit Patterns
The expansion has been heavily concentrated in states with a high density of CGHS beneficiaries. Delhi, home to perhaps the largest number of beneficiaries, led the charge by adding 189 hospitals in 2025 alone, reflecting the capital's vast private healthcare market and rising CGHS usage.
Other major contributors to the network growth include:
- Uttar Pradesh: 62 hospitals
- Rajasthan: 31 hospitals
- Haryana: 38 hospitals
- Maharashtra: 30 hospitals
- West Bengal: 42 hospitals
Conversely, exits have also been clustered in a few large states. In 2025, Uttar Pradesh accounted for 15 exits, roughly a third of the national total. It was followed by Karnataka (6 exits), Maharashtra (5), and Delhi (3). Cumulatively over five years, UP has seen 20 exits, Karnataka 19, Maharashtra 18, and Delhi 11.
Challenges Behind the Numbers: Retention and Reimbursement
While the expansion numbers are impressive, stakeholders highlight underlying challenges. For beneficiaries, especially pensioners and those with chronic illnesses, even limited exits can cause significant disruption. This often forces patients to switch hospitals mid-treatment, repeat diagnostic tests, or travel longer distances for care.
From the hospitals' perspective, growth in empanelment does not guarantee long-term participation. Dr. C M Bhagat, a member of the Association of Healthcare Providers-India, pointed out that retention depends critically on smooth payment cycles and effective dispute resolution. Hospitals continue to cite delayed reimbursements and unexplained deductions as primary reasons for leaving the scheme.
Although the recent revision of CGHS package rates on October 3, 2025 (effective October 13), is seen as a positive step, the issue of timely payments remains a sticking point. The Health Ministry has stated that CGHS wellness centres are opened based on demand and that cashless treatment is available for pensioners and priority groups at empanelled hospitals.
As CGHS usage surges in major urban centres, experts emphasize that the future challenge is clear: the scheme must ensure that its rapid expansion is matched by efforts to improve hospital retention and guarantee continuity of care. The goal is for beneficiaries to experience not just a larger network, but a more stable and reliable one.
