Who can apply
ECHS membership requires meeting two conditions together: you must have Ex-Servicemen (ESM) status, and you must be drawing a service, disability, or family pension from the Controller of Defence Accounts. Eligible categories include ESM pensioners, Territorial Army pensioners, DSC/Coast Guard/Military Nursing Service/SFF pensioners, certain whole-time NCC officers who are ESM and pensioners, Assam Rifles pensioners, and WWII veterans and their spouses.
Where to apply
The official ECHS smart card application system runs at echs.sourceinfosys.com — this is the exact link currently listed under "Useful Links" on the official ECHS website, echs.gov.in.
Step-by-step application process
- Register on the portal and fill the online application form, selecting the correct category based on your date of retirement and type of ESM/Primary Beneficiary status.
- Complete payment of the applicable one-time contribution (see table below).
- Upload a Banker's Certificate or DPDO Certificate showing your pension details and stoppage of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA), where applicable.
- Upload a copy of your MRO (Military Receivable Order) — not required if you retired before 1 January 1996, or if you're a battle casualty or war widow, both of which are exempt from the contribution.
- Upload a copy of your PPO (Pension Payment Order)/Pension Book and Service Discharge Book showing dependant details.
- No hard-copy submission is required — the entire process runs online.
Once processed, your card is delivered to your Station HQ. You'll receive an OTP by SMS, which you present at collection.
One-time contribution amount by rank
| Category | Contribution | Ward entitlement |
|---|---|---|
| Recruit to Havildar & equivalent (Navy/Air Force) | ₹30,000 | General ward |
| Naib Subedar / Subedar / Subedar Major & equivalent | ₹67,000 | Semi-Private ward |
| All Officers | ₹1,20,000 | Private ward |
Exempt from the contribution entirely: war widows, war-disabled pensioners, battle casualties and their dependants, and pensioners who retired before 1 January 1996.
Applying for dependants
For dependants above 18 (other than a spouse), you'll typically need income proof if claiming dependency — the officially-stated income ceiling is ₹9,000/month excluding DA. This figure derives from an older CGHS-linked circular, so it's worth confirming it hasn't been revised before you rely on it for your specific application.
Common problems
- Site compatibility issues: the portal is reported to work poorly on Internet Explorer — use Chrome, Firefox or Edge.
- OTP not arriving: a recurring complaint at both application and card-collection stages — double-check the mobile number on file is current.
- Uncertainty over processing time: no fixed official turnaround time is published — expect it to take some time and follow up with your Station HQ if there's an unusual delay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official ECHS smart card portal?
echs.sourceinfosys.com, as linked directly from echs.gov.in's own Useful Links section.
How much does an ECHS card cost?
A one-time contribution ranging from ₹30,000 (Recruit to Havildar) to ₹1,20,000 (Officers), with war widows, war-disabled pensioners and pre-1996 retirees exempt.
Do I need to submit physical documents?
No — the entire application, including document upload, is designed to run online; only card collection at your Station HQ requires an in-person step.