Key takeaways
- Apply online at ece.nabh.co — offline and physical applications have not been accepted since 15 November 2022.
- Hospitals need at least 50 sanctioned beds in metro cities and 30 in non-metro cities.
- NABH's fee: ₹30,000 (under 100 beds), ₹35,000 (over 100 beds), ₹25,000 (diagnostic, eye, dental) + 18% GST.
- CGHS rates from 13 October 2025: NABH base rate; non-NABH 15% less; super-specialty above 200 beds 15% more.
NABH's role
Many hospital owners are surprised that their CGHS inspection is done by NABH. Under a memorandum of understanding, NABH assesses applicants on behalf of CGHS: it reviews documents, inspects facilities and passes the recommendation of its independent empanelment committee to CGHS. Recommended facilities are listed on NABH's website. The same arrangement applies to ECHS.
Who can apply
- Private hospitals — with at least 50 sanctioned beds in metro cities or 30 in non-metro cities
- Standalone eye hospitals and centres
- Dental clinics
- Diagnostic laboratories and imaging centres
Lab and imaging rules
Hospitals need basic in-house laboratory and imaging. In Tier-II, Tier-III and remote areas, an MoU with a NABL-accredited lab is acceptable if you run an in-house collection centre, and radiology can be outsourced under an MoU if the facility is within 1.5 km.
The process step by step
- Register on ece.nabh.co, complete the application, upload documents and pay the fee. No offline applications.
- Desktop inspection of document adequacy; respond to non-conformities with corrective actions.
- On-site inspection to verify compliance on the ground.
- Empanelment committee recommendation, issued in hard copy to you and CGHS.
- Surprise inspections may follow — after complaints, media reports or at CGHS's direction.
Fees
| Applicant | NABH fee (+18% GST) |
|---|---|
| Hospital under 100 beds | ₹30,000 |
| Hospital over 100 beds | ₹35,000 |
| Diagnostic, eye or dental centre | ₹25,000 |
| Focus inspection — up to 3 new specialties within 2 years | ₹15,000 |
Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable; you pay assessors' travel and stay. Adding specialties more than two years after your original inspection means a fresh application.
The money: CGHS rates since October 2025
CGHS revised its rates for about 2,000 procedures from 13 October 2025 — reported as the first major revision in more than a decade — with a tiered card that accounts for city differences:
- NABH-accredited hospitals: base rate
- Non-NABH hospitals: 15% below the base rate
- Super-specialty hospitals above 200 beds: 15% above the base rate
If CGHS patients are a meaningful share of your business, NABH accreditation is effectively a 15% price increase on that share.
Why applications get stuck
- Bed count or staffing short of the requirement once occupancy is considered
- Lab or imaging arrangements that don't meet the in-house or MoU conditions
- Expired licences, or licences in a previous owner's name
- Documents uploaded in the wrong format or incomplete
- Slow corrective actions after the desktop inspection
We prepare CGHS applications end to end and get your team ready for the inspection. See CGHS empanelment or talk to us.
Frequently asked questions
Who conducts the inspection for CGHS empanelment?
NABH, a constituent board of the Quality Council of India, inspects applicants for CGHS empanelment under a memorandum of understanding with CGHS, and its independent empanelment committee sends recommendations to CGHS.
What is the ECE portal?
The ECE portal (ece.nabh.co) is NABH's online system for CGHS and ECHS empanelment applications. Applicants fill in the form, upload documents and pay fees there; offline applications are not accepted.
What is the CGHS bed requirement?
NABH's CGHS programme page lists a minimum of 50 sanctioned beds in metro cities and 30 in non-metro cities for hospitals.
How did CGHS rates change in 2025?
CGHS revised rates for about 2,000 procedures with effect from 13 October 2025, using a tiered rate card. NABH-accredited hospitals get the base rate, non-NABH hospitals get 15% less, and super-specialty hospitals with more than 200 beds get 15% more.
Official sources
Fees and rules change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply.
Get a free gap assessment for your facility
Tell us your facility type, bed or chair count and city. Dr. Ashutosh Sharma will tell you which NABH programme fits, what it will cost and how long it will realistically take — before you commit to anything.
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- CGHS empanelmentCGHS empanelment via NABH's ECE portal: eligibility, 50/30 bed minimums, lab and imaging rules, NABH fees, the 2025 rate revision and how we help.
- ECHS empanelmentECHS empanelment through NABH: eligibility, IPHS staffing norms, OT guidelines, assessment fees, 2-year validity and renewal rules.