Rah-Veer Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

• The Central Government introduced the Rah-Veer Scheme on 21 April 2025 to address the urgent need for timely help to road accident victims across India.
• This national initiative recognises and rewards individuals who act bravely during road emergencies.
• Under the scheme, a Rah-Veer means a "Road Hero" - an ordinary citizen who steps in to save a life.
• The core aim of this scheme is to motivate people to help accident victims without fear or hesitation.
• The government wants citizens to understand that quick action during emergencies can save lives that might otherwise be lost.
• By promoting this message, the scheme spreads awareness that timely medical support often decides between survival and death.
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) serves as the nodal ministry responsible for implementing and monitoring the Rah-Veer Scheme throughout the country.
• The scheme functions as a cash reward and certificate-based recognition programme, designed to honour Good Samaritans who assist road accident victims during critical moments.
• A Rah-Veer is any individual who rescues or helps save the life of a person injured in a serious motor vehicle accident.
• Such assistance includes arranging immediate medical help and ensuring that the injured person reaches a hospital or trauma care centre within the Golden Hour following the accident.
• As defined under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Golden Hour refers to the first 60 minutes after a traumatic injury, during which prompt medical treatment significantly improves the chances of survival.
• The Rah-Veer Scheme strongly encourages action during this crucial time window.
• Under the scheme, the government not only appreciates the courage of these Road Heroes but also rewards them financially.
• A Rah-Veer receives a cash incentive of Rs. 25,000 for every instance of life-saving assistance provided in a serious road accident.
• When multiple Rah-Veers contribute to saving a victim, the scheme ensures fairness by equally distributing the reward amount among all eligible individuals involved in the rescue effort.
• In addition to monthly recognitions, the government conducts a national-level selection every year, where 10 exceptional Rah-Veers from across India receive a special award of Rs. 1,00,000/-, along with a trophy and a certificate, in recognition of their outstanding service.
• Through the Rah-Veer Yojana, the Central Government seeks to build a culture of responsibility and compassion, where citizens feel confident, protected, and motivated to help accident victims without fear.
• Apart from this initiative, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways also operates other important welfare schemes, including the Compensation to Victims of Hit and Run Motor Accidents Scheme and the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, both aimed at strengthening road safety and victim support systems in India.

Scheme Benefits

• Under the Rah-Veer Scheme, a Rah-Veer is granted a cash reward of Rs. 25,000 for each incident in which they provide life-saving assistance during a serious road accident.
• When more than one Rah-Veer jointly helps in saving a victim in the same accident, the reward amount is shared equally among all eligible Rah-Veers.
• If a single Rah-Veer rescues multiple victims during one accident event, the total assistance amount remains Rs. 25,000 for that incident.
• However, in cases where multiple Rah-Veers save the lives of more than one victim, the incentive is calculated as Rs. 25,000 per victim, and the amount is distributed among the Rah-Veers involved.
• Along with financial assistance, every recognised Rah-Veer also receives an official Certificate of Appreciation as a mark of honour.
• Additionally, every year the Government identifies ten outstanding Rah-Veers from across the country and confers a national-level award of Rs. 1,00,000, along with a trophy and certificate, to acknowledge their exceptional contribution to road safety.

Eligibility Requirement

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has clearly defined who can be recognised as a Road Hero (Rah-Veer) under this scheme :-
• Any individual who helps save the life of a person injured in a serious motor vehicle accident qualifies for consideration under the Rah-Veer Scheme.
• The help provided must be quick, proactive, and without delay, as timely action plays a critical role in saving lives.
• To be eligible, the injured accident victim must be shifted to a hospital within the Golden Hour following the accident.
• The term Golden Hour refers to the first 60 minutes after a severe road accident or critical injury, during which prompt medical care significantly increases survival chances.
• Under the Rah-Veer Scheme, an accident is treated as serious when the victim requires any of the following medical interventions or outcomes :-
  • Major surgical procedure due to accident-related injuries.
  • Hospital admission for a minimum of three days.
  • Severe brain injuries resulting from the accident.
  • Spinal cord injuries affect mobility or neurological function.
  • Death of the victim during the course of medical treatment.
• Only cases meeting these conditions are assessed for recognition and rewards under the Rah-Veer Scheme.

Required Documents

• Bank Account Number.
• Mobile Number of Good Samaritan.
• Identification Card, such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Driving License.

Steps to Apply

• When a Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) informs the police about a road accident, the police authorities first cross-verify the incident details with the medical officer who treated the injured victim.
• After confirming the facts, the police prepare an official confirmation letter in favour of the Rah-Veer on the police station's letterhead.
• This confirmation letter records essential information such as the identity and contact details of the Rah-Veer, along with the exact location of the accident, date, time, and the nature of assistance provided to the victim.
• The police station forwards one copy of this document to the District Level Appraisal Committee, which works under the supervision of the District Magistrate.
• Another copy of the confirmation letter is handed over to the Rah-Veer for future reference and personal records.
• Police departments across all States and Union Territories follow a uniform acknowledgement format, ensuring the same process nationwide.
• In situations where the Rah-Veer immediately takes the injured person to a hospital without approaching the police, the hospital authorities themselves inform the concerned police station about the accident.
• Based on the information received from the hospital, the police then issued the confirmation letter to the Rah-Vee,r mentioning the complete incident details and life-saving assistance.
• The District Level Appraisal Committee under the Rah-Veer Scheme is constituted with the following officials:
  • District Magistrate.
  • Senior Superintendent of Police.
  • Chief Medical Officer (Health).
  • District Regional Transport Officer.
• To ensure proper execution of the scheme, a State Level Monitoring Committee is also formed, which conducts quarterly reviews of implementation progress.
• The District Level Appraisal Committee scrutinizes Rah-Veer cases every month and approves eligible instances of genuine assistance.
• After approval, the list of selected Rah-Veers is forwarded to the State or Union Territory Transport Commissioner.
• The approved Rah-Veers receive their reward amount directly into their bank accounts through the PFMS (Public Financial Management System).
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) subsequently transfers the reward funds to the respective State or UT Transport Departments on a monthly basis.
• Each year, before 30 September or as per MoRTH's directions, every State and Union Territory recommends three exceptional Rah-Veer cases for national recognition.
• A central appraisal committee constituted by MoRTH evaluates all nominations received from across the country.
• From these recommendations, ten Rah-Veers are shortlisted as the best contributors at the national level for that year.
• These selected individuals are honoured with a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000, along with an appreciation certificate and a trophy, during the National Road Safety Month function held in Delhi.
• As per scheme guidelines, a single Rah-Veer can receive rewards up to five times within one year, depending on eligibility.

Relevant Links

• Rah-Veer Scheme Official Guidelines.
• Ministry of Road and Transport and Highways Website.

Contact Information

• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Contact Numbers.