Sandhya Kiran Health Scheme 2026: ₹5 Lakh Cashless Health Cover for Pensioners
Sandhya Kiran Cashless Health Scheme 2026: ₹5 Lakh Health Coverage for Karnataka State Government Pensioners
The Government of Karnataka has approved the implementation of the “Sandhya Kiran” Cashless Health Scheme for eligible state government pensioners, family pensioners and dependent children with disabilities.
Under the scheme, eligible families can avail themselves of cashless healthcare services up to ₹5 lakh per year through the Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) scheme, subject to the prescribed rules and guidelines.
Government Order
Government Order No.: AKUK 287 CGE 2026
Date: 02 September 2026
The scheme has been approved based on the proposal submitted for extending cashless healthcare facilities to retired state government employees and family pensioners.
What is the Sandhya Kiran Scheme?
The Sandhya Kiran Health Scheme is a contributory cashless healthcare initiative designed to reduce the financial burden of medical treatment on retired state government employees and eligible family pensioners.
The scheme will operate under the existing Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) framework and provide healthcare services through empanelled hospitals as per the applicable rules and health benefit packages.
Who is Eligible?
The scheme covers the following eligible beneficiaries:
- State government regular pensioners below 70 years of age
- Eligible family pensioners below 70 years of age
- Spouse of the pensioner
- Dependent children with disabilities of the pensioner
The Government Order defines a Karnataka Government pensioner as a person who retired from government service after 1 November 1956 and is receiving a pension from the Government of Karnataka.
₹5 Lakh Annual Health Benefit
Eligible families will be entitled to cashless healthcare services of up to ₹5 lakh per year.
The services will be provided according to the applicable AB-ArK Health Benefit Packages and may include:
- Secondary-level treatment
- Tertiary-level treatment
- In-patient treatment
- Emergency treatment
- Other approved healthcare packages under AB-ArK
The package rates revised by the government under AB-ArK from time to time will also apply to the Sandhya Kiran scheme.
Contribution by Pensioners
The Sandhya Kiran scheme is a contribution-based health scheme. The contribution will be calculated based on the basic pension. Beneficiary Contribution Regular Pensioner 1.25% of Basic Pension Family Pensioner 0.75% of Basic Pension
The contribution amount will be collected through the salary/pension disbursement or at the treasury level and deposited with the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST).
SAST may utilize the scheme funds, including an administrative expense of 2%, as prescribed.
Government and Pensioner Contribution
Under the proposed financial arrangement:
- 70% of the total cost will be met through the pensioner contribution.
- 30% of the total cost will be borne by the Government.
The contribution percentage may be revised in the future if required, depending on the financial sustainability and utilization of the scheme.
Automatic Increase in Contribution
A mechanism has been provided to maintain the long-term financial sustainability of the scheme.
If the fund utilization ratio exceeds 85%, the contribution collected from regular pensioners and family pensioners will be automatically increased by 0.05%.
The Health and Family Welfare Department will take necessary action regarding such revision.
Registration Period
Eligible pensioners who are already retired and wish to contribute to the scheme will be provided a three-month registration period.
Pensioners retiring in the future must register for the scheme within two months from the date of retirement.
Failure to register within the prescribed period may result in the pensioner becoming ineligible for the scheme.
Beneficiary Registration and Verification
The State Government will develop software for beneficiary registration and verification.
Verification will be carried out using the Treasury Department’s master database through SAST or any other agency approved by the Government.
The registration software is also proposed to be integrated with the SAST Transaction Management System (TMS) to make the process more convenient for beneficiaries.
Healthcare Services Under the Scheme
Healthcare services will be provided through hospitals empanelled under AB-ArK, subject to the applicable referral and package rules.
The scheme is intended to provide access to:
- Secondary healthcare
- Tertiary healthcare
- In-patient services
- Emergency healthcare
- Approved AB-ArK treatment packages
The Government may also make necessary changes to the policy based on healthcare utilization patterns and experience gained during implementation.
Government Funding Provision
The Government Order also specifies a condition relating to the release of the Government’s annual share.
The Government’s annual contribution will be released when the total fund reaches 80% of its annual utilization level, as specified in the order.
Key Objectives of Sandhya Kiran Scheme
The major objectives of the scheme are:
- To provide affordable healthcare to retired state government employees.
- To reduce the financial burden of medical expenses on pensioners.
- To extend cashless healthcare facilities to eligible pensioners.
- To provide secondary and tertiary treatment through the AB-ArK hospital network.
- To support the long-term healthcare needs of elderly pensioners and eligible family members.
- To provide financial protection against major medical expenses.
Sandhya Kiran Scheme 2026 – Key Highlights
Particulars Details Scheme Name Sandhya Kiran Cashless Health Scheme Implemented Under Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) Age Limit Below 70 years Annual Health Benefit Up to ₹5 lakh per family Regular Pensioner Contribution 1.25% of Basic Pension Family Pensioner Contribution 0.75% of Basic Pension Administrative Expense 2% Government Share 30% Pensioner Contribution Share 70% Registration Period for Existing Pensioners 3 months Registration for Future Retirees Within 2 months of retirement Government Order Date 02 September 2026
Important Note
The detailed procedure for registration, beneficiary verification, empanelled hospitals, referral requirements, eligible treatments and implementation of the Sandhya Kiran scheme will be subject to further guidelines issued by the Government, Health and Family Welfare Department and SAST.
Eligible pensioners should carefully follow the official instructions once the registration process is announced.
The launch of the Sandhya Kiran Cashless Health Scheme 2026 is an important step towards providing affordable and accessible healthcare to eligible Karnataka State Government pensioners and family pensioners.
With healthcare coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year, the scheme is aimed at reducing the medical expenditure burden on pensioners while providing access to cashless treatment through the AB-ArK network.
Eligible pensioners below 70 years of age should keep track of the official registration process and subsequent implementation guidelines to avail themselves of the benefits of the scheme.
Sandhya Kiran Health Scheme 2026 – FAQs
1. What is the Sandhya Kiran Health Scheme?
It is a contributory cashless healthcare scheme for eligible Karnataka State Government pensioners and family pensioners.
2. Who is eligible for the scheme?
Regular state government pensioners and family pensioners below 70 years of age, along with eligible dependent children with disabilities.
3. What is the maximum health coverage?
Eligible families can receive cashless healthcare services of up to ₹5 lakh per year.
4. How much contribution must a regular pensioner pay?
A regular pensioner must contribute 1.25% of the basic pension.
5. How much must a family pensioner contribute?
A family pensioner must contribute 0.75% of the basic pension.
6. Where will treatment be provided?
Treatment will be available through hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) scheme, subject to applicable rules.
7. What treatments are covered?
Secondary, tertiary, inpatient and emergency treatments covered under applicable AB-ArK health benefit packages.
8. How long do existing pensioners have to register?
Existing eligible pensioners will have three months to register after the registration process is opened.
9. When should newly retired pensioners register?
Newly retired pensioners must register within two months from the date of retirement.
10. Can the contribution rate change in the future?
Yes. The contribution may be revised depending on the utilization and financial sustainability of the scheme.
11. Who will manage the scheme funds?
The funds will be deposited with and managed by the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) as per the scheme guidelines.
12. When was the Government Order issued?
The Government Order was issued on 02 September 2026 under Government Order No. AKUK 287 CGE 2026.
