- Who assesses
- NABH, on behalf of CGHS, under an MoU
- How to apply
- Online only at ece.nabh.co — no offline or physical applications since 15 Nov 2022
- Minimum beds (hospitals)
- 50 sanctioned beds in metro cities, 30 in non-metro cities
- NABH assessment fee
- ₹30,000 (under 100 beds), ₹35,000 (over 100 beds), ₹25,000 (diagnostic, eye, dental centres) + 18% GST
- Rates since 13 Oct 2025
- Non-NABH hospitals paid 15% below the NABH base rate; super-specialty (200+ beds) 15% above
Who can apply
Allopathic healthcare organisations: private hospitals, standalone eye hospitals and centres, dental clinics, diagnostic laboratories and imaging centres. Hospitals need at least 50 sanctioned beds in metro cities or 30 in non-metro cities.
Lab and imaging requirements
Basic in-house laboratory and imaging are essential for hospitals. Two relaxations matter in smaller towns:
- In Tier-II, Tier-III and remote areas, an MoU with a NABL-accredited laboratory is acceptable if you run an in-house collection centre.
- Radiology may be outsourced under an MoU if the outside facility is no more than 1.5 km from your premises.
The NABH-run process
- Create an account on the ECE portal (ece.nabh.co), complete the application, upload documents and pay the fee. Offline applications are not accepted.
- Desktop inspection — NABH checks document adequacy; you can submit corrective actions for any non-conformity.
- On-site inspection — assessors verify compliance on the ground after your corrective actions.
- Empanelment committee — an independent committee recommends or does not recommend you; letters go to the hospital and CGHS, and recommended hospitals are listed on nabh.co.
- Surprise inspections can follow at any time — after complaints, adverse media reports or at CGHS's direction.
Adding specialties within two years of your original inspection needs only a focus inspection (₹15,000 plus GST, up to three new scopes). After two years, you apply afresh.
NABH fees for CGHS assessment
| Applicant | Fee (plus 18% GST) |
|---|---|
| Hospital under 100 beds | ₹30,000 |
| Hospital over 100 beds | ₹35,000 |
| Diagnostic, eye or dental centre | ₹25,000 |
| Focus inspection (added specialties) | ₹15,000 |
The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, and you bear assessor travel and stay.
Why NABH accreditation changes the economics
CGHS revised package rates for about 2,000 procedures with effect from 13 October 2025, with a tiered rate card that accounts for city differences. NABH-accredited hospitals receive the base rate; non-NABH hospitals receive 15% less; super-specialty hospitals with more than 200 beds receive 15% more. For a hospital with meaningful CGHS volume, NABH accreditation often pays for itself.
How we prepare you
We check eligibility against the current CGHS notification, audit your licences and staffing, prepare the documents, file on the ECE portal, respond to desktop findings and walk your team through the on-site inspection. Our guide to CGHS empanelment through NABH explains each stage in detail.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for CGHS empanelment?
Applications are made online only through NABH's ECE portal (ece.nabh.co): fill in the form, upload documents and pay the fee. NABH then conducts a desktop inspection, an on-site inspection after corrective actions, and its empanelment committee makes a recommendation to CGHS.
What is the minimum bed requirement for CGHS empanelment?
NABH's CGHS empanelment programme lists a minimum of 50 sanctioned beds for hospitals in metro cities and 30 in non-metro cities. Diagnostic labs, imaging centres, eye and dental centres apply without a bed minimum.
What does CGHS empanelment cost?
NABH's assessment fee is ₹30,000 for hospitals under 100 beds, ₹35,000 above 100 beds and ₹25,000 for diagnostic, eye and dental centres, plus 18% GST. The fee is non-refundable, and the applicant pays the assessors' travel, boarding and lodging.
Do non-NABH hospitals get lower CGHS rates?
Yes. Under the CGHS package rates revised for about 2,000 procedures from 13 October 2025, NABH-accredited hospitals receive the base rate, non-NABH hospitals receive 15% less, and super-specialty hospitals above 200 beds receive 15% more.
Can a hospital without an in-house lab get CGHS empanelment?
Basic in-house laboratory and imaging services are expected. In Tier-II, Tier-III and remote areas, an MoU with a NABL-accredited laboratory is acceptable if the hospital has an in-house collection centre, and radiology may be outsourced under an MoU if the facility is within 1.5 km.
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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