Karnataka Government Formally Issues Order for 'Sandhya Kiran' Cashless Health Scheme for Pensioners

The Karnataka state government has issued a formal order to operationalise the "Sandhya Kiran" Cashless Health Scheme, extending comprehensive healthcare benefits to retired government employees and family pensioners. Under Government Order AKUK 287 CGE 2026, issued on September 2, 2026, eligible beneficiaries can access secondary, tertiary, and emergency medical treatments up to ₹5 lakh annually per family on a floater basis across designated empanelled hospitals. The initiative is structured under the existing Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) framework and managed by the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust. Designed as a contributory mechanism to lessen the financial burden of high medical costs on senior citizens, service pensioners will contribute 1.25 percent of their basic pension, while family pensioners contribute 0.75 percent. The scheme covers regular state pensioners under 70 years of age, their spouses, and dependent children with disabilities, benefiting approximately 4.93 lakh people across Karnataka. Public health advocates have welcomed the move, noting that providing structured financial protection for tertiary care and surgeries significantly improves healthcare accessibility for aging populations. By leveraging the state's empanelled hospital network, the government aims to ensure timely emergency intervention and specialized hospital care without causing personal financial distress to retired public servants.