By Kavita Mistry 
The 8th Pay Commission, formed in January 2025, is expected to go beyond recommending salary hikes. One of its key tasks? Reviewing and possibly revamping the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), which provides medical care to central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents.
What Is CGHS?
The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) offers:
- Consultations
- Diagnostics
- Medications
- Hospital care at subsidized rates
However, its reach is limited, and services are not uniformly available across the country. This has prompted calls for a more comprehensive and practical health coverage system.
Past Recommendations: What Did 6th & 7th Pay Commissions Say?
🟢 6th Pay Commission:
- Proposed an optional contributory health insurance scheme
- Suggested making it mandatory for future recruits
- Recommended coverage for pensioners retiring after the scheme is launched
🟢 7th Pay Commission:
- Strongly backed health insurance as a better long-term solution
- Urged empanelment of CS(MA) and ECHS hospitals for pensioners outside CGHS
- Highlighted the need to strengthen CGHS administrative capacity
What’s New Under 8th Pay Commission?
As of January 2025, reports suggest the Health Ministry is considering replacing CGHS with an insurance-based model called:
Central Government Employees and Pensioners Health Insurance Scheme (CGEPHIS)
This scheme would be implemented via IRDAI-registered insurers, though no official confirmation has been provided yet.
Why It Matters
- Millions depend on CGHS, but face service gaps
- Health reforms could bring cashless, wider coverage across India
- Employees and pensioners are hoping the 8th Pay Panel resolves this long-standing issue