One time option for In laws
S.14025/15/2024-EHS(8270534)/1/3862000/2026 Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (EHS Section)
Kartavya Bhawan-1, New Delhi-110001 Dated: 13-05-2026
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Regarding option for Central Government employees to avail medical facilities either for their Parents or Parents-in-law under CGHS and CS(MA) Rules, 1944.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry's OM No. 4(1)-18/63-H dated 03.03.1987 and OM No. H.11020/2/2023-EHS dated 26.07.2023 (copy enclosed), vide which the facility to choose either parents or parents-in-law as dependent family members for the purpose of availing medical facilities under CGHS was made available to eligible Central Government employees.
2.
Attention is also invited to this Ministry's OM No. S.14025/15/2024-EHS dated 28.03.2024 (copy enclosed) where by the aforesaid facility was extended to beneficiaries covered under Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944 [CS(MA) Rules, 1944], at par with CGHS beneficiaries.
3. In continuation of the above, it is here by re-iterated that the aforesaid provisions shall be applicable to all eligible beneficiaries covered under CGHS as well as CS(MA) Rules, 1944, subject to fulfilment of prescribed dependency and other eligibility conditions under the respective rules/scheme.
4.
It is further clarified that a male Government employee shall be eligible to exercise a one-time option only for choosing either his parents or parents-in-law as dependent family members for the purpose of availing medical facilities under CGHS/CS(MA) Rules, 1944.
5.
Once such option has been exercised in favour of parents, the employee shall not subsequently be permitted to opt for parents-in-law as dependents at a later stage, including in cases arising due to demise of parents or otherwise. Similarly, where option has once been exercised in favour of parents-in-law, the same shall not subsequently be changed in favour of parents.
6.
All Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the contents of this OM to the notice of all concerned for strict compliance.
This issues with the approval of the competent authority.
Encl. As above.
Digitally signed by
Unni Krishnan T
Date: 13-05-2026
12:03:59
(Unni Krishnan T)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel. No. 011-24013446