The Sandhya Kiran Contributory Cashless Healthcare Scheme is a healthcare protection initiative approved by the Karnataka Cabinet on 13 August 2026 for retired Karnataka State Government pensioners aged below 70, family pensioners, and their eligible dependents. Implemented by the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka framework, the scheme provides cashless medical treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year through a contributory model in which the monthly contribution is deducted directly from the pension amount.
Karnataka Sandhya Kiran Scheme Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Sandhya Kiran Contributory Cashless Healthcare Scheme |
| Cabinet Approval Date | 13 August 2026 |
| Implementing Department | Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka |
| Implementing Agency | Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) |
| Objective | Provide cashless healthcare coverage to Karnataka State Government pensioners and their eligible family members |
| Eligible Beneficiaries | Karnataka State Government service pensioners below 70 years, family pensioners, and eligible dependents |
| Health Coverage | Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year on a family floater basis |
| Service Pensioner Contribution | 1.25% of basic pension per month |
| Family Pensioner Contribution | 0.75% of basic family pension per month |
| Expected Beneficiaries | Approximately 4.93 lakh beneficiaries, including around 3.11 lakh pensioners below 70 years and their dependents |
| Expected Registration Platform | Likely through Seva Sindhu Portal or a Treasury-based enrolment mechanism |
Introduction of Karnataka Sandhya Kiran Scheme: A Brief Overview
The Sandhya Kiran Scheme is a contributory cashless healthcare scheme approved by the Government of Karnataka to provide medical protection to retired State Government employees and their families after retirement. The Karnataka Cabinet approved the scheme on 13 August 2026, recognising the rising healthcare expenses faced by pensioners after their regular employment-related medical benefits end.
The scheme operates under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) framework and is implemented by the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST), functioning under the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka. The concept behind the scheme is straightforward. Pensioners contribute a small portion of their monthly pension, and in return receive access to cashless healthcare services for themselves and their eligible family members without having to arrange large amounts of money during medical emergencies.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year on a family floater basis. The coverage extends to the pensioner, spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents, subject to eligibility conditions. Medical services are expected to be available through hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka network, covering secondary care, tertiary care, emergency treatment, specialist consultations, and major surgical procedures.
To keep the scheme financially sustainable, service pensioners contribute 1.25% of their basic pension every month, while family pensioners contribute 0.75% of their basic family pension. The contribution amount is deducted directly from the pension account, eliminating the need for separate premium payments or annual renewals.
The scheme primarily targets retired Karnataka State Government employees who are below 70 years of age. Family pensioners and their eligible dependents can also receive coverage under the same family floater benefit. Pensioners aged 70 years and above continue to remain covered under the existing Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka framework and therefore do not fall within the scope of Sandhya Kiran.
Although the Karnataka Cabinet has approved the scheme, the Government is yet to release the detailed operational guidelines and enrolment framework. Registration is expected to be facilitated through the Seva Sindhu Portal or through an integrated Treasury-based mechanism. Until the official notification is issued, pensioners should rely only on announcements released by the Government of Karnataka and the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust.
Pensioners interested in understanding related healthcare initiatives may also explore the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which provides cashless treatment benefits to eligible families across India. Senior citizens aged 70 years and above may additionally benefit from the Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Scheme provisions introduced for elderly citizens, while the broader Gruha Rogya Scheme provides free-of-cost treatment for Non-Communicable Diseases.
Readers interested in similar welfare initiatives can also explore other Government Welfare Schemes of Karnataka, covering healthcare, pensions, social security, education, housing, self-employment, and financial assistance programmes introduced for different sections of society across the state.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The Sandhya Kiran Scheme has been designed to provide dedicated cashless healthcare protection to Karnataka State Government pensioners and their eligible family members. Through a contributory model, the scheme ensures access to quality medical treatment while reducing the financial burden associated with hospitalisation and major healthcare expenses.
Cashless Health Insurance Coverage
- Provides cashless healthcare coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year
- The coverage operates on a family floater basis, allowing the insured amount to be utilised by any eligible family member
- The floater cover can be used by the pensioner, spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents included under the policy
Medical Treatment Benefits
- Covers a wide range of secondary healthcare services, including hospitalisation and specialist treatment
- Covers tertiary healthcare procedures, including advanced surgeries and high-end medical interventions
- Provides coverage for emergency and critical care treatment
- Offers cashless treatment at hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) network
- Benefit packages and treatment rates follow the approved AB-ArK healthcare framework
Affordable Contribution Structure
- Service pensioners contribute only 1.25% of their basic pension every month
- Family pensioners contribute only 0.75% of their basic family pension every month
- The contribution amount is deducted automatically from the pension account, eliminating the need for separate premium payments
- The contribution remains significantly lower than the cost of obtaining similar health insurance coverage in the private sector
Coverage for Family Members
- Extends health protection beyond the pensioner to eligible family members
- Includes coverage for the spouse of the pensioner
- Includes dependent children as per scheme guidelines
- Includes dependent parents who qualify under the eligibility conditions
Government-Backed Financial Support
- The scheme operates with financial support from both beneficiary contributions and the Government of Karnataka
- The State Government bears a portion of the healthcare expenditure to ensure long-term sustainability of the scheme
- The contributory model helps create a dedicated healthcare fund for pensioners while maintaining affordable participation costs
Long-Term Sustainability Features
- The scheme has been designed with a self-sustaining funding mechanism
- Annual pensioner contributions are expected to create a substantial healthcare corpus for treatment expenses
- If overall fund utilisation exceeds the prescribed threshold, contribution rates may be revised as per the approved framework to maintain financial stability
- This mechanism helps ensure uninterrupted healthcare coverage for beneficiaries in future years
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The Sandhya Kiran Contributory Cashless Healthcare Scheme has been approved primarily for Karnataka State Government pensioners and their eligible family members. Based on the Cabinet decision announced on 13 August 2026, beneficiaries must satisfy the following conditions to enrol under the scheme once registrations commence.
Eligible Pensioner Categories
- Retired Karnataka State Government employees receiving a regular service pension
- Family pensioners, including widows, widowers, and other eligible family members receiving family pension after the death of a State Government employee
- Eligible dependents covered under the family floater benefit, such as spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents, subject to the final scheme guidelines
Age Criteria
- Service pensioners must be below 70 years of age to enrol under the Sandhya Kiran Scheme
- Pensioners aged 70 years and above will continue to receive healthcare coverage under the existing Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) scheme
Pension and Residency Requirements
- The applicant must be receiving a valid pension or family pension sanctioned by the Karnataka State Government
- The pension should be credited through the Karnataka Treasury system or an authorised pension disbursing bank
- The applicant should have a valid pension record maintained by the Government of Karnataka
- The applicant should be a resident of Karnataka and fulfil any residency conditions prescribed in the final operational guidelines
Categories Not Covered Under the Scheme
- Central Government pensioners, as they are covered under separate healthcare and pensioner welfare schemes
- Retired employees of private sector organisations and private establishments
- Individuals who are not receiving a Karnataka State Government pension or family pension
Important Note: The Karnataka Government has so far announced the broad beneficiary categories through the Cabinet decision. Additional eligibility conditions, enrolment requirements, and dependency rules may be notified separately when the Health and Family Welfare Department and the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust release the detailed implementation guidelines.
Documents Required to be Attached
The Karnataka Cabinet approved the Sandhya Kiran Contributory Cashless Healthcare Scheme on 13 August 2026. However, the Health and Family Welfare Department and the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust have not yet published a final list of documents required for enrolment. Therefore, the document requirements mentioned below are indicative and based on the eligibility conditions and enrolment practices followed under similar pensioner welfare and health insurance schemes in Karnataka.
Identity and Age Proof
- Aadhaar Card linked with an active mobile number
- Any one valid age proof confirming that the applicant is below 70 years of age, such as a Birth Certificate, Voter ID Card, Passport, or Driving Licence
- Recent passport-size photographs of the applicant
Pension and Bank Documents
- Pension Payment Order (PPO) or Pension Certificate issued by the competent authority
- Family Pension Certificate, where the applicant is receiving family pension
- Pension passbook or recent bank statement reflecting pension credits
- Aadhaar-linked bank account details for contribution deduction and scheme-related transactions
Documents of Family Members (For Family Floater Coverage)
- Aadhaar Cards of the spouse and eligible dependent family members proposed to be included under the scheme
- Relationship proof or dependency documents, wherever required by the authorities
Residence Proof
- Any valid proof of residence in Karnataka, such as a Ration Card, Voter ID Card, Utility Bill, or any other document accepted by the concerned authority
Important Note: Since the operational guidelines and enrolment framework have not yet been released, the final document requirements may differ from the list provided above. Pensioners should wait for the official notification and keep basic identity, pension, bank, and family-related documents readily available for future registration.
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
The Karnataka Cabinet approved the Sandhya Kiran Scheme on 13 August 2026. However, the Health and Family Welfare Department and the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust have not yet notified the final enrolment process. Therefore, the steps explained below are based on the framework announced by the Government and the enrolment process generally followed for similar health insurance schemes in Karnataka. Pensioners should treat these steps as indicative until the official registration guidelines are released.
Once the Government activates enrolment under the scheme, eligible pensioners can follow the process below to complete their registration and start receiving coverage benefits.
Step 1: Keep all required documents ready before starting the registration process. This may include the Aadhaar Card, Pension Payment Order (PPO), pension certificate, bank account details, family member documents, and other supporting records required by the Government.
Step 2: Visit the official Seva Sindhu Portal if the Government opens online registration through the platform.
Step 3: Log in using the mobile number linked with Aadhaar. New users may need to complete a one-time registration process before accessing scheme services.
Step 4: Search for the Sandhya Kiran Contributory Cashless Healthcare Scheme in the list of available services once the scheme becomes active on the portal.
Step 5: Open the application form and carefully verify the pensioner’s personal details displayed on the screen. If any information appears incorrect, get it corrected through the concerned pension authority before proceeding further.
Step 6: Enter pension-related information such as the Pension Payment Order number, pension category, treasury details, and other particulars requested in the application form.
Step 7: Add the details of eligible family members who are to be covered under the family floater benefit, including the spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents wherever applicable.
Step 8: Upload the prescribed documents in the required format and file size. Ensure that all uploaded documents are clear and readable to avoid delays during verification.
Step 9: Review every detail carefully before final submission. Check names, Aadhaar numbers, pension details, bank account information, and family member particulars to ensure accuracy.
Step 10: Submit the application and save the acknowledgement number or application reference number generated by the system for future tracking.
Step 11: Wait for verification by the concerned authorities. The Government may verify pension records, Aadhaar details, and family information before activating healthcare coverage.
Step 12: After successful approval, coverage under the Sandhya Kiran Scheme is expected to become active, and the prescribed monthly contribution may start getting deducted automatically from the pension account as per the applicable pensioner category.
Important Note: There is also a possibility that eligible pensioners may be enrolled automatically through the Karnataka Treasury system without submitting a separate application. If the Government adopts this approach, pensioners may only need to verify their details or provide consent through a simplified process. The final enrolment method will become clear once the official operational guidelines are issued.
Pensioners should rely only on official notifications issued by the Government of Karnataka, the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust, or the Treasury Department. Until the official enrolment process is announced, applicants should avoid paying any fee to agents or third parties claiming to offer Sandhya Kiran registration services.
Important Links Available for Scheme
Since the Sandhya Kiran Scheme is still awaiting detailed operational guidelines, the Government has not yet launched a dedicated application page. Pensioners can, however, monitor the following official portals for enrolment updates, government orders, and implementation announcements.
- Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) Official Portal
- Seva Sindhu Portal
- Government of Karnataka Official Portal
Important Note: No dedicated Sandhya Kiran Scheme application link has been released as of now. Pensioners should rely only on the above official government portals for authentic updates and avoid unofficial websites, agents, or social media posts claiming to offer registration services.
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
Pensioners seeking information regarding the implementation, enrolment process, or healthcare coverage under the Sandhya Kiran Scheme may contact the concerned authorities through official government channels.
- Implementing Agency: Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST), Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka, Bengaluru
- Citizen Service Portal: Seva Sindhu Citizen Services Platform
Important Note: The Government has not yet announced a dedicated Sandhya Kiran Scheme helpline number or email address. Pensioners should wait for the official notification and use only verified government contact channels for assistance. Any individual or organisation claiming to offer paid registration or priority enrolment should be treated with caution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the Sandhya Kiran Scheme?
Ans. The Sandhya Kiran Scheme is a contributory cashless healthcare scheme approved by the Karnataka Cabinet on 13 August 2026 for retired Karnataka State Government employees, family pensioners, and their eligible dependents. The scheme provides cashless medical treatment through a health insurance model.
Q. Who is eligible to enrol under the Sandhya Kiran Scheme?
Ans. Karnataka State Government service pensioners below 70 years of age, family pensioners, and eligible dependents such as spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents can enrol under the scheme.
Q. Is the Sandhya Kiran Scheme the same as Sandhya Suraksha Yojane?
Ans. No. Sandhya Suraksha Yojane is a social pension scheme for senior citizens, whereas the Sandhya Kiran Scheme is a contributory cashless healthcare scheme designed specifically for Karnataka State Government pensioners and their families.
Q. How much health coverage is available under the Sandhya Kiran Scheme?
Ans. The scheme provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year on a family floater basis.
Q. What medical treatments are covered under the scheme?
Ans. The scheme covers secondary care, tertiary care, emergency treatment, specialist consultations, advanced medical procedures, and major surgeries through empanelled hospitals.
Q. Do beneficiaries have to pay any contribution?
Ans. Yes. Service pensioners contribute 1.25% of their basic pension every month, while family pensioners contribute 0.75% of their basic family pension. The contribution is deducted automatically from the pension account.
Q. What happens to pensioners who are 70 years of age or older?
Ans. Pensioners aged 70 years and above are not covered under the Sandhya Kiran Scheme. They continue to receive healthcare coverage under the existing Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) scheme.
Q. Which hospitals can provide treatment under the Sandhya Kiran Scheme?
Ans. Treatment is expected to be available at hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka network, subject to the final operational guidelines issued by the Government.
Q. Which authority implements the Sandhya Kiran Scheme?
Ans. The scheme is implemented by the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) under the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka.
Q. When will the enrolment process begin?
Ans. The Government has not yet announced the official enrolment date. Detailed operational guidelines and registration procedures are expected to be released after the issuance of the formal Government Order.
Q. Will pensioners need to submit a separate application form?
Ans. The final enrolment mechanism has not been notified yet. The Government may either introduce an online application process or automatically enrol eligible pensioners through the Treasury system, subject to confirmation through official guidelines.
Q. How many beneficiaries are expected to be covered under the scheme?
Ans. During the initial phase, the scheme is expected to cover approximately 4.93 lakh beneficiaries, including around 3.11 lakh Karnataka State Government pensioners below 70 years of age and their eligible family members.
Q. Can dependent family members also receive coverage?
Ans. Yes. Eligible dependents, including the spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents of the pensioner, can be covered under the family floater health insurance benefit.
Q. What is the main objective of the Sandhya Kiran Scheme?
Ans. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide affordable cashless healthcare protection to Karnataka State Government pensioners and their families while ensuring long-term financial sustainability through a contributory model.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.