• Full Form – Prime Minister Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment Scheme
  • Launched on – 14 February 2026
PM RAHAT SCHEME explained for UPSC

BACKGROUND

  • India faces a very high number of road accidents every year. Many people die because they do not get treatment on time.
  • Studies show:
    • Around 50% deaths can be prevented
    • If victim reaches hospital within the Golden Hour (first 1 hour)
  • So the government started PM RAHAT to save lives.
OBJECTIVES OF RAHAT Main aim is simple:
  • No accident victim should die due to lack of money.
  • Immediate hospital treatment must be given.
  • Strong emergency system must be created.
It shows a citizen-first approach and focus on service and compassion.

KEY FEATURES

(A) Cashless Treatment
  • Every eligible road accident victim will get Cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh
  • Coverage period: 7 days from the date of accident
  • Applicable on any category of road
This means the victim or family does not need to pay money at hospital. (B) Stabilization Treatment
  • For non-life-threatening cases ? treatment up to 24 hours
  • For life-threatening cases ? treatment up to 48 hours
  • Subject to police authentication through digital system
This ensures emergency care is not delayed. (C) Golden Hour Focus
  • The scheme gives importance to the Golden Hour.
  • Integration with Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) – 112 Helpline
  • Anyone can call:
    • Road accident victim
    • Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan)
    • Any person present at accident site
They can:
  • Get details of nearest designated hospital
  • Ask for ambulance help
This improves coordination between:
  • Police
  • Ambulance services
  • Hospitals
TECHNOLOGY BASED IMPLEMENTATION PM RAHAT uses a digital system. It integrates:
  1. eDAR (Electronic Detailed Accident Report) – Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
  2. TMS 2.0 (Transaction Management System) – National Health Authority
PROCESS FLOW Accident Reporting ? Hospital Admission ? Police Authentication ? Treatment ? Claim Processing ? Payment Police confirmation timeline:
  • 24 hours (non-life-threatening)
  • 48 hours (life-threatening)
This ensures:
  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • No delay in emergency care
FUNDING MECHANISM Payment to hospitals will be made through: (A) Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF) If offending vehicle is insured:
  • Payment from contributions of General Insurance Companies
If vehicle is uninsured or Hit & Run case:
  • Payment from Government of India budget allocation
Claim Settlement
  • State Health Agency will approve claim
  • Payment to hospital within 10 days
This gives financial certainty to hospitals. GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM If there is any complaint:
  • Grievance Redressal Officer will handle it.
  • Officer will be nominated by the District Road Safety Committee
  • Committee is chaired by:
    • District Collector /
    • District Magistrate /
    • Deputy Commissioner
This ensures district-level accountability.

SIGNIFICANCE

  • Reduces preventable deaths
  • Encourages Good Samaritans
  • Removes financial burden
  • Strengthens emergency ecosystem
  • Improves hospital accountability
It is a major step towards: “No life lost due to lack of immediate medical care.”