Key takeaways
- Entry-level: 2-year certification, ₹21,000–₹2,50,000 by beds (+GST), Core standards first, allopathic hospitals of any size.
- SHCO: full accreditation for up to 50 beds, ₹25,000 + ₹1,50,000 a year, 4-year cycle. HCO: above 50 beds, 6th Edition.
- PM-JAY quality incentive: 10% with entry-level (Silver), 15% with full accreditation (Gold).
- Many hospitals start with entry-level and upgrade; the systems you build carry forward.
Side by side
| Entry-level certification | SHCO accreditation | Hospital (HCO) accreditation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Allopathic hospitals of any size | Up to 50 sanctioned beds | More than 50 sanctioned beds |
| Standard | Entry-Level 2nd Edition | SHCO 3rd Edition | 6th Edition (639 objective elements) |
| Operating period | 6 months, plus 3 months of implementation | 6 months, plus 3 months of implementation | 6 months, plus 3 months of implementation |
| Occupancy | 20% (final) → 25% → 30% at renewals | 20% (final) → 25% at surveillance → 30% at renewal | 20% (final) → 25% at surveillance → 30% at renewal |
| NABH fees | ₹21,000–₹2,50,000 for 2 years | ₹25,000 + ₹1,50,000 a year | From ₹40,000 + ₹2,00,000 a year |
| Validity | 2 years | 4 years, surveillance in year 2 | 4 years, surveillance in year 2 |
| PM-JAY quality level | Silver — 10% incentive | Gold — 15% | Gold — 15% |
| CGHS rate | Non-NABH rate | NABH base rate | NABH base rate |
Fees exclude 18% GST. Occupancy figures follow NABH's notification of 20 January 2026; see our occupancy norms guide.
How entry-level grows with you
Entry-level standards are grouped into Core, Commitment and Excellence. A new 1–50 bed hospital is assessed on Core in its first cycle and on Core plus Commitment at its first renewal. Each renewal raises the bar, so by the time you consider SHCO or HCO accreditation, much of the system is already running.
A simple decision guide
Choose entry-level if:
- you have been operating for six months to two years;
- you need recognition within about six months;
- cash is tight, or you want the PM-JAY Silver incentive quickly;
- your team has never worked with structured quality systems.
Choose full accreditation (SHCO or HCO) if:
- CGHS or ECHS volume matters — CGHS pays non-NABH hospitals 15% less;
- you want the PM-JAY Gold incentive of 15%;
- corporate clients, insurers or medical-value travellers ask for NABH accreditation;
- you already have reasonable systems and stable staff.
Not eligible for hospital entry-level: AYUSH facilities (use AYUSH entry-level), standalone dental clinics (use entry-level dental), diagnostics, physiotherapy, psychology, diabetology and de-addiction centres, hospitals under six months old, and multi-location hospitals under separate licences.
A worked example
A 30-bed surgical hospital with growing PM-JAY volume:
- Entry-level: ₹80,000 + GST = ₹94,400 to NABH for two years; PM-JAY incentive rises to 10% at Silver.
- SHCO: ₹25,000 + ₹1,50,000 + GST = ₹2,06,500 to NABH in year one, then ₹1,77,000 a year; PM-JAY incentive 15% at Gold, plus the NABH base rate under CGHS if empanelled.
If the hospital's PM-JAY claims are, say, ₹40 lakh a year, the jump from Silver to Gold is worth about ₹2 lakh a year in incentives alone — before CGHS and insurer effects. The numbers usually point to entry-level now and SHCO within two to three years. Talk to us and we'll run them for your hospital.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between NABH entry-level and full accreditation?
Entry-level certification assesses a foundation set of standards (Core first, then Commitment and Excellence at later renewals), is valid for two years and costs less. Full accreditation — SHCO for up to 50 beds or HCO above 50 — assesses the complete standard, runs on a four-year cycle with surveillance and carries more weight with payers.
Is NABH entry-level worth it?
For many small and new hospitals, yes. It costs ₹40,000–₹80,000 for two years for 6–50 beds (plus GST), unlocks the PM-JAY Silver incentive of 10%, improves insurer negotiations and builds systems that carry forward to full accreditation.
Can I upgrade from entry-level to full NABH accreditation?
Yes. NABH designed entry-level certification to prepare hospitals for full accreditation. You apply separately for SHCO or HCO accreditation when ready; under AB-PMJAY, the upgrade from Silver to Gold is then done by desktop assessment.
Which is better for CGHS empanelment?
Under CGHS rates revised from 13 October 2025, the 15% higher base rate applies to NABH-accredited hospitals. If CGHS volume matters to you, plan for full accreditation.
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.
Read next
- NABH Accreditation Cost in India (2026): Official Fees for Every ProgrammeNABH fees 2026 for hospitals, SHCO, entry-level, AYUSH, dental, eye, blood centres, imaging, clinics and labs, with GST and first-year examples.
- AB-PMJAY Quality Certification Explained: Bronze, Silver and GoldAB-PMJAY quality certification: Bronze, Silver and Gold eligibility, 5/10/15% incentives, NABH's role, fees, assessment, validity, upgrades.
- Entry-level certification (hospitals)NABH Entry-Level Certification (2nd Edition) for allopathic hospitals: eligibility, occupancy norms, 2-year fees by beds and the PMJAY Silver incentive.
- Small hospitals up to 50 beds (SHCO)NABH SHCO accreditation for hospitals and nursing homes up to 50 beds: 3rd Edition eligibility, 2026 occupancy norms, NABH fees, process and common gaps.