The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) provides lifelong medical benefits to ex-servicemen and their spouses. However, dependents such as children and parents must undergo an annual validation process to continue availing of ECHS benefits. This article explains the new guidelines for ECHS dependent card validation as per the ECHS letter dated 30 January 2025 and provides a step-by-step guide for the online validation process.
Part 1: Changes in ECHS Annual Validation Rules
Eligibility Criteria for ECHS Dependents
- Ex-servicemen and their spouses have lifelong ECHS benefits, regardless of their income.
- Dependents (children and parents) are eligible for ECHS benefits only if their monthly income is below ₹9,000 + DA (currently ₹13,770, based on 53% DA).
- Dependents exceeding this income threshold will no longer be eligible for ECHS benefits, and their cards will be blocked.
- To retain benefits, dependents must submit proof of income annually, either online or as a hard copy at an ECHS polyclinic.
Exempted Categories from Annual Validation
Three categories of dependents do not require annual validation:
- Children below 18 years of age.
- Parents above 80 years of age.
- Disabled dependents holding a white ECHS card.
New Guidelines Introduced in 2025
ECHS introduced new rules in the letter dated 30 January 2025, which impact the annual validation process:
- Blocking of Cards Without Temporary Slip
- Previously, if a dependent’s ECHS card was blocked due to non-validation, the ex-serviceman had three months to submit proof of income. During this period, a temporary slip was issued, ensuring uninterrupted medical benefits.
- As per the new rule, dependents whose cards are blocked will not receive a temporary slip and will be unable to avail of ECHS benefits until validation is approved.
- A grace period of one year is provided to complete the validation process and unblock the card.
- Permanent Blocking After One Year
- If a dependent’s card remains unvalidated for one year, it will be permanently blocked.
- In such cases, the ex-serviceman will have to reapply for ECHS benefits for the dependent from scratch.
- Revalidation Process
- To unblock a dependent’s card, an application must be submitted along with income proof to demonstrate that the dependent’s monthly income is below ₹9,000 + DA.
- Applications can be submitted online or physically at the ECHS polyclinic.
- Once approved, the card will remain valid for one year, after which the process must be repeated.
Part 2: Online Process for Annual Validation
ECHS now allows dependents to complete their annual validation online, making the process easier and faster. Below is a step-by-step guide to renewing a dependent’s ECHS card from home.
Steps for Online Validation
- Visit the ECHS Website
- Open the official ECHS portal.
- Log in using the registered credentials.
- Access the Dependent Validation Section
- Navigate to the Annual Validation of Dependents section.
- Select the dependent whose card needs validation.
- Submit Income Declaration
- Fill in the dependent’s details.
- Declare that the dependent’s monthly income is below ₹9,000 + DA.
- Upload Required Documents
- Provide an updated income certificate or any other supporting proof.
- Review and Confirm
- Verify all the details before submission.
- Accept the declaration, confirming that the provided information is true.
- Submit and Track Application
- Click on Submit and note the reference number for future tracking.
- The ECHS team will review the application, and once approved, the card will be revalidated for one year.
Summary of Key Takeaways
- Ex-servicemen and their spouses have lifelong ECHS benefits, but dependent cards require annual validation.
- Dependents must have a monthly income below ₹9,000 + DA (₹13,770 as of now) to retain ECHS benefits.
- Annual validation must be completed online or via a hard copy submission at ECHS polyclinics.
- If validation is not done in time, the dependent’s ECHS card will be blocked without a temporary slip.
- A blocked card can be unblocked within one year by submitting an income proof application.
- If validation is not completed within one year, the dependent’s card will be permanently blocked.
Conclusion
ECHS has streamlined the annual validation process while introducing stricter rules for compliance. To avoid disruptions in healthcare benefits for dependents, ex-servicemen must ensure timely validation of dependent ECHS cards every year. The online process makes it convenient to complete validation from home. Stay informed and act proactively to maintain uninterrupted medical benefits under ECHS.
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