Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Serious illnesses that require major surgery or specialised treatment can place a heavy financial burden on families, particularly when the treatment involves procedures such as kidney surgery, dialysis, organ transplantation, cancer treatment, heart surgery or brain surgery. The Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme provides financial assistance to eligible Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) patients who need treatment for serious or life-threatening diseases. Under the scheme, eligible patients can receive assistance of up to ₹3.5 lakh, depending on the type of treatment and the applicable assistance ceiling. The approved amount is released directly to the concerned hospital rather than being paid to the patient.

The scheme is implemented by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The Foundation provides assistance for planned treatment of serious ailments, including kidney, heart, liver, cancer and brain-related diseases, as well as organ transplantation, spinal surgery and other life-threatening conditions covered under the scheme. The Foundation's official website also provides the scheme guidelines, application-related information and contact details for applicants seeking assistance.

Eligibility depends on the applicant's SC or ST status, family income, medical condition and required treatment. Since older and 2026 scheme documents are available, applicants should check the latest guidelines before applying. Treatment must be taken at a recognised hospital, and the application should reach the Foundation at least 15 days before surgery.

The application process is offline. Applicants need to submit the prescribed form or permitted plain-paper format with the required medical estimate, income certificate, SC/ST certificate and identity proof. Approved assistance is paid directly to the hospital. For help, applicants can contact the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation's Medical Aid Scheme (011-2335 7625 and 011-2335 0576).

Readers looking for other welfare support related to education and social empowerment can also explore relevant schemes available on GovtSchemes.in. For example, students from SC/ST communities may find the Karnataka Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Scholarship Scheme useful for higher studies abroad, while eligible students in Uttarakhand can check the Uttarakhand Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Sanskrit Scholarship Scheme for education-related financial support.

Scheme Benefits

The Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme helps eligible SC and ST patients manage the cost of major treatment for serious and life-threatening diseases. The assistance is provided according to the type of treatment and the prescribed maximum limit.

• Eligible patients can receive financial assistance of up to ₹3.5 lakh for covered medical treatment.
• Assistance is available for serious conditions involving the kidney, heart, liver, cancer and brain.
• The scheme covers major treatments such as kidney surgery, dialysis, cancer surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, heart surgery and brain surgery.
• Financial assistance is also available for kidney and other organ transplants, subject to the applicable conditions.
• Spinal surgery and other life-threatening diseases covered under the scheme can also receive medical assistance.
• The approved assistance is released directly to the concerned hospital, instead of being paid to the patient.
• The assistance can cover 100% of the estimated treatment cost, subject to the maximum limit applicable to the particular treatment.
• The scheme can reduce the financial burden on eligible low-income SC and ST families undergoing costly surgery or specialised treatment.

The maximum assistance varies according to the treatment. Under the revised 2026 provisions, the reported maximum limits are as follows:

Recognised Hospitals Under the Scheme

Medical assistance is available only for treatment at hospitals that fall within the recognised or eligible categories prescribed under the scheme. This means applicants should confirm the hospital's eligibility before depending on the assistance.

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and AIIMS in other States.
• CGHS-approved hospitals, as applicable under the scheme.
• State Government Medical Colleges and their attached hospitals.
• Government hospitals at district headquarters and major towns where the required treatment facilities are available.
• Hospitals fully funded by the Central or State Government.
• Other hospitals specifically recognised or included under the scheme.

The scheme guidelines also identify certain hospitals for treatment, including SGPGI, Lucknow, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, and other specified institutions.

Since the list and eligibility of hospitals can change, applicants should confirm the current status of the hospital with the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation before submitting the application.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying for the Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme, applicants need to meet the prescribed social, income and medical conditions. The main eligibility requirements are given below in simple terms:

• The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) community.
• The family's annual income must be within the limit set under the latest scheme guidelines. Under the reported 2026 revision, the limit is up to ₹5 lakh per year.
• The patient must need surgery or specialised treatment for a serious or life-threatening disease covered under the scheme.
• The treatment must be taken at a recognised or eligible hospital under the scheme.
• The application should reach the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation at least 15 days before the scheduled surgery or treatment.
• The application must include the required medical, income, caste and identity documents.
• Financial assistance from the Foundation and other sources together must not exceed the total estimated treatment cost.
• The scheme generally provides assistance before planned treatment. Treatment expenses already incurred are not normally reimbursed.

Applicants should check the latest Dr. Ambedkar Foundation guidelines before applying, as the income limit, treatment conditions and other requirements may be revised from time to time.

Required Documents

To apply for the Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme, applicants need to submit a few documents to confirm their eligibility, treatment details and financial assistance requirement. Keep the following documents ready before submitting the application:

• Completed application form or application on plain paper in the prescribed format.
• Recent passport-size photograph.
• Original estimated cost certificate issued and signed by the Medical Superintendent of the concerned hospital, mentioning the proposed date of surgery or treatment.
• Self-attested income certificate showing the annual family income.
• Self-attested SC/ST caste certificate.
• Copy of ration card or Aadhaar Card.
• For organ transplant cases, details of the donor along with proof of the relationship between the donor and the patient.
• Certificate confirming that the total financial assistance received from the Foundation and other sources does not exceed the estimated treatment cost.
• Bank account details of the concerned hospital for transferring the approved medical assistance.

Steps to Apply

The Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme follows an offline application process. Applicants should arrange the medical estimate and supporting documents first, and then send the completed application to the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation before the scheduled treatment.

1. First, obtain an estimated cost of the proposed surgery or treatment from the recognised hospital where the patient will be treated. The estimate should be duly signed by the Medical Superintendent and should mention the scheduled date of surgery.
2. Fill out the Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme application format. The scheme guidelines allow the application to be made on plain paper as well, provided the details are given in the prescribed format.
3. Attach the required self-attested documents, including the caste certificate, income certificate, Aadhaar Card or Ration Card, and the hospital's estimated-cost certificate.
4. Make sure the estimated-cost certificate is signed by the Medical Superintendent and includes the scheduled date of surgery.
5. Put the completed application and all required documents together and send them by post or submit them by hand to the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation.
6. Make sure the application reaches the Foundation at least 15 days before the scheduled surgery.
7. The application is then examined by the Foundation. If the case is approved, the eligible medical assistance is released directly to the concerned hospital through the prescribed payment method rather than being transferred to the patient's personal bank account.
8. After receiving the assistance, the hospital is required to use the sanctioned amount for the approved treatment and submit the utilisation certificate along with the final bills. Any unused amount has to be returned to the Foundation within the prescribed period.

How is the Medical Assistance Released?

The financial assistance under the scheme is handled through the hospital rather than being paid directly to the patient. This process links the approved assistance with the actual cost of the proposed treatment.

• The hospital provides an estimated cost of the proposed surgery or treatment.
• The estimate must be certified by the Medical Superintendent or the authorised hospital authority.
• The Foundation sanctions assistance according to the eligible treatment and applicable maximum ceiling.
• The approved amount is released directly to the concerned hospital through the prescribed payment method.
• The hospital uses the sanctioned amount for the approved treatment.
• After treatment, the hospital submits the utilisation certificate and final bills as required under the scheme.
• Any amount that remains unused must be refunded to the Foundation within the prescribed period.

Relevant Links

• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• Dr. Ambedkar Foundation Official Website
• Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme Details On The Official Page
• Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme Guidelines
• Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme Application Form

Contact Information

Applicants can contact the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation directly for queries related to the Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme, application process and required documents.

Dr. Ambedkar Foundation

• Phone: 011-2335 7625, 011-2335 0576
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 15, Janpath, New Delhi – 110001
• Dr. Ambedkar Foundation Contact Details

The Dr. Ambedkar Foundation's official contact page lists 011-2335 7625 and 011-2335 0576 specifically for queries related to the Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme. The Foundation's schemes page lists [email protected] as the scheme contact, while the Director's Office email is [email protected].