Digital News Guru Health Desk:
UP Cashless Medical Scheme
In a significant welfare initiative, the UP Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has formally approved a cashless medical treatment scheme for teachers, non-teaching staff, and their dependent family members associated with the Basic and Secondary Education Departments of the state. This decision is part of a broader set of cabinet approvals aimed at enhancing social security and healthcare access for education sector workers across Uttar Pradesh.
Announced during a cabinet meeting held in Lucknow, the scheme builds on an earlier promise made by the chief minister on Teachers’ Day in September 2025 and now has received formal sanction through the state’s executive body. It is projected to benefit around 15 lakh (1.5 million) teachers, educators, para-teachers, support staff, and their families — representing one of the largest healthcare welfare programmes for public sector workers in the state.
What the Scheme Entails
Under the new programme, eligible beneficiaries will be entitled to cashless inpatient (IPD) treatment — meaning patients will not have to make upfront payments for hospitalization services. The scheme is modelled on the framework of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), with treatment costs covered at empanelled facilities.
The facility will be available in government hospitals as well as empanelled private hospitals under the State Agency for Comprehensive Health and Integrated Services (SACHIS). Treatment rates and coverage norms will be aligned with national standards as prescribed by the National Health Authority, ensuring consistency and quality of care.
This cashless access covers in-patient procedures, including surgeries, critical care, diagnostics, medicines during admission, and other medically necessary services, based on the hospital’s adherence to schedule rates set under the health insurance framework.
Who Is Eligible?
The scheme is designed to extend benefits to a broad spectrum of education workers:
- Teachers and staff under the Basic Education Council, including those in aided and recognised self-financed schools.
- Teachers, vocational subject experts, and employees under the Secondary Education Department, including those in aided and recognised schools.
- Shiksha Mitras, special educators, instructors, and other teaching support personnel.
- Wardens and full-time or part-time teachers at institutions such as Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, as well as cooks and helpers under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Poshan Yojana.
- Family members — including spouses and children — of eligible employees will also receive coverage under the scheme.
To ensure proper implementation, district-level committees chaired by respective education officials will verify eligibility and enrol beneficiaries, especially those from self-financed schools who require additional verification before access.
Estimated Cost and Government Expenditure
The Uttar Pradesh government estimates that the scheme will cost approximately Rs 448 crore annually. Of this total, the Basic Education Department is expected to incur around Rs 358.61 crore per year, while approximately Rs 89.25 crore will be allocated for beneficiaries under the Secondary Education Department.
These estimates reflect the financial commitment of the state towards expanding social welfare measures for educators and highlight the government’s priority to improve healthcare access without imposing financial burdens on families.
Exclusions and Clarifications
Officials have clarified that individuals and families already covered under other government health schemes — such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana or the Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan — will not be eligible to receive duplicate benefits under the new cashless treatment scheme. This is intended to prevent overlap and ensure efficient use of resources.
Additionally, certain categories of employees from unrecognised or temporary institutions may not be covered unless they secure appropriate verification through the relevant education authorities.
Reactions from Educators and Stakeholders
The announcement has been widely welcomed by teachers’ associations, school administrators, and staff unions across Uttar Pradesh. Many in the education fraternity have described the initiative as a “major relief” that acknowledges the long-standing demand for improved healthcare support for teachers and staff.
In areas like Kanpur, Lucknow, and Varanasi, educators expressed optimism that cashless treatment could reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses — a significant concern given rising healthcare costs. Many believe that the scheme will not only help cover emergency treatments but also provide peace of mind for families facing serious illnesses.
Local support organisations have also urged rapid rollout of the programme and called for easy access to information on participating hospitals and service guidelines to ensure smooth implementation across both urban and rural areas.
Implementation Timeline and Next Steps
Following approval by the state cabinet, the government has begun the process of operationalising the programme. The Health and Education Departments are coordinating to identify empanelled hospitals, establish enrolment procedures, and disseminate information to beneficiaries.
District-level committees will be forming in the coming weeks to oversee beneficiary verification, particularly for teachers from self-financed recognised institutions. Training for district officials and awareness campaigns for educators are expected to follow, ensuring that eligible individuals understand how to use the cashless facility.
Significance of the Scheme
The cashless medical treatment scheme reflects a growing trend among Indian states to expand healthcare access as part of social welfare frameworks. By reducing financial barriers to hospitalization and major treatments, Uttar Pradesh aims to ensure that educators — a core pillar of societal development — can access timely and quality healthcare without the stress of upfront medical expenses.
Moreover, the scheme aligns with broader goals outlined in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Budget 2026–27, where healthcare, education, and public welfare are expected to be key priorities during discussions in the state assembly beginning in February.
Conclusion
With the formal approval of a cashless medical treatment scheme for teachers, non-teaching staff, and their families, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken a major step toward strengthening the social safety net for education personnel. Covering around 15 lakh beneficiaries, the program promises to alleviate financial stress, promote better health outcomes, and reinforce the state’s commitment to improving welfare services in the education sector. As implementation moves forward, the scheme could set a benchmark for similar initiatives in other states, bolstering healthcare support for millions of public sector workers nationwide.
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