Yes—you can apply online in under 30 minutes at ECHS.gov.in by registering with your service number, uploading discharge book pages + PPO, paying ₹1,000, and printing the ARN receipt.
Yes—you can apply online in under 30 minutes at ECHS.gov.in by registering with your service number, uploading discharge book pages + PPO, paying ₹1,000, and printing the ARN receipt.
Your ECHS card is basically a medical passport for retired Indian Armed Forces personnel (below officer rank) and their families. ECHS India runs the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, which gives you cashless healthcare at empaneled hospitals and pharmacies. Since 2011, anyone retiring on or after March 21, 2011 has had to sign up—others can volunteer. Think of it as your golden ticket to worry-free medical care.
Quick Fix Summary: Head to ECHS.gov.in, click “Online Smart Card Application,” register with your service number, mobile, and email, then fill out the form. Upload the right documents, pay the fee, and submit. You’ll get a temporary receipt right away and the physical card in 2–3 months.
Six online steps: register, log in, add dependents, upload JPEG/PNG/PDF docs ≤500 KB, pay ₹1,000 online, then submit and save your ARN.
Start on the ECHS portal with these six steps. Grab your desktop or mobile browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge work best as of 2026).
- Register on the portal:
- Open ECHS.gov.in.
- Hit “Online Smart Card Application,” then “Register.”
- Type in your name, service number, a working mobile number, a valid email, and create a password. Click “Register.”
- Log in and kick off the application:
- Sign in with your service number and password.
- Pick “New Application” and choose your rank category from the list.
- Add dependents if you need to:
- Head to “Edit Application,” then “Add Dependent.”
- Fill in details like name, relationship, and Aadhaar or PAN when asked.
- Save your work and move on.
- Upload the paperwork:
- Scan and attach:
- The first two pages and the last page of your service discharge book
- Your Pension Payment Order (PPO)
- A recent passport-size photo in JPEG format (under 500 KB)
- Your dependent’s Aadhaar card if you’re adding one
- Stick to JPEG, PNG, or PDF formats only.
- Pay the fee:
- The tab runs ₹1,000 for the main member and ₹500 for each dependent (rates current as of 2026;ECHS India).
- Pay with net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card.
- Keep a copy of the transaction receipt—you’ll need it.
- Submit and save your proof:
- Click “Submit.”
- Print or save the “Application Reference Number (ARN)” plus the temporary receipt.
- That’s it—your physical card shows up at your Regional Centre in 2–3 months.
If online fails, visit the nearest Army/AF/Navy ECHS cell with hard copies, resend OTP, or try a different network/device for payment.
Don’t panic—there are still a couple of ways to push through. First, try the offline route: walk into the nearest Army/AF/Navy ECHS cell with every document in hard copy. They’ll walk you through the form and upload everything for you.
If your OTP isn’t arriving, hit “Resend OTP.” Still nothing? Ring the ECHS helpline at 1800-114-066 (toll-free) between 09:00 and 17:00 IST. Payment acting up? Switch networks, clear your browser cache, or try a different device. If the bank’s the problem, give them a call.
Update your service/mobile numbers every two years, scan docs at 300 DPI in color, bookmark ECHS.gov.in, and store ARN + receipt in a cloud folder labeled “ECHS Documents.”
Keep these habits in mind and renewals become painless. Always keep your service number and mobile number updated—you’ll need them every two years when you renew.ECHS Contact Page Scan every document in color at 300 DPI to dodge upload errors. Bookmark the ECHS portal and check for updates, especially around March when traffic spikes. Stash a digital copy of your ARN and receipt in a cloud folder labeled “ECHS Documents.”
Need official help? Swing by the ECHS Contact Page or drop a line to support@echs.gov.in (expect a reply within 3–5 business days).
All retired SFF personnel below officer rank who have rendered 15 years of service and their dependents are eligible to join ECHS.
All retired SFF personnel below officer rank who have rendered 15 years of service and their dependents are eligible to join ECHS. The scheme is compulsory for those who have retired/will retire on or after 21 March 2011. For those eligible personnel who have retired prior to 21 March 2011 the scheme is optional.
Visit ECHS website http://www.echs.gov.in then click on the tab Online Smart Card Application – Online Application.
(i) Visit ECHS website then click on the tab Online Smart Card Application – Online Application. (ii) Enter your name, service number along with valid mobile number and e-mail ID (for receiving One Time Password) and new password then click on tab Register.
You can add dependents by logging into the online application portal, selecting edit application option, then clicking Add Dependent and filling details.
You can add dependents by logging into the online application portal, then selecting edit application option, thereafter clicking on Add Dependent and filling details of your dependent and saving details. After adding dependents make additional payment for the members added in the application.
Documents required include discharge book pages, PPO, passport photo, and dependent Aadhaar if applicable.
(i) Visit ECHS website then click on the tab Online Smart Card Application – Online Application. (ii) Enter your name, service number along with valid mobile number and e-mail ID (for receiving One Time Password) and new password then click on tab Register.
It takes 2-3 months from the date of fulfilling formalities to receive the ECHS card.
This process may take 2-3 months from the date of fulfilling formalities. However, the temporary card receipt can be issued by dependent Stn HQ to individual if additional affidavit as per format is submitted.
All 32 Kb ECHS cards are valid for a period of 10 years from the date of issue.
(a) All 32 Kb ECHS cards are valid for a period of 10 years from the date of issue. This category will continue getting their entitled medical cover with 32 Kb cards till further orders.
Age limit for ex-serviceman is 33 years if you belong to UR, 36 years for OBC, and 38 years for SC/ST.
Age limit for ex-serviceman is 33 years if you belong to UR (Unreserved Category) and 36 years if you are in OBC (Other Backward Caste) and 38 years if you are in SC (Scheduled Caste) or Scheduled Tribe (ST). Generally, ex-serviceman gets relaxation in age up to 5 years.
CGHS provides comprehensive medical care to central government employees while ECHS offers similar cashless transactions for ex-servicemen.
CGHS promises comprehensive medical care to approximately 35 lakh central government employees and pensioners. ECHS, which provides allopathic medicare to ex-servicemen pensioners and their dependents, is structured on the lines of CGHS to ensure cashless transactions.
Yes, ECHS is a cashless scheme.
The Scheme has been structured on the lines of CGHS to ensure cashless transactions for the patients and is financed by the Government of India.
Book appointments for elders uncomfortable with online booking on landline number ‘0120 4259391’ only 24 hours in advance.
Booking appointments for OPD/referral and medicine will be done for elders who are not comfortable with online booking on landline number ‘0120 4259391’ only 24 hours in advance.
The Reg No. is the card number required for the online application.
Ans: The Reg No. is the card number which is required to be mentioned in the online application. The starting first two alphabets in the number denote your Regional Centre.
All 32 Kb ECHS cards are valid for a period of 10 years from the date of issue.
(a) All 32 Kb ECHS cards are valid for a period of 10 years from the date of issue. This category will continue getting their entitled medical cover with 32 Kb cards till further orders.
Extended Chs. ECHS stands for Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (India).
Extended Chs. ECHS stands for Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (India).
Edited and fact-checked by the TechFactsHub editorial team.
