Sandhya Kiran Scheme: Cashless Health Cover for Karnataka Pensioners
Sandhya Kiran is a cashless health scheme for Karnataka state government pensioners below 70 years, family pensioners and their eligible dependents. An eligible family gets treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh a year at empanelled hospitals.
At a glance
| Type | Contributory cashless health scheme (voluntary) |
|---|---|
| Who is covered | State government pensioners below 70, family pensioners and eligible dependents |
| Cover | Up to Rs 5 lakh per year per family, on a floater basis |
| Care covered | Secondary, tertiary and emergency care at empanelled hospitals |
| Framework | Ayushman Bharat - Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) regulations and package rates |
| Run by | Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust |
| Expected at the start | About 4.93 lakh people, including about 3.11 lakh pensioners below 70 and their dependents |
| Pensioner contribution | Reported as 1.25% of basic pension for service pensioners |
What is the Sandhya Kiran scheme?
The Karnataka Cabinet approved the Sandhya Kiran cashless healthcare scheme in August 2026. It is meant for retired state government employees who are below 70 years of age, for family pensioners, and for their eligible dependents.
Treatment is cashless at hospitals that are empanelled under the scheme. The same benefit packages and revised package rates that apply under Ayushman Bharat - Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) also apply here.
Who is covered
- State government pensioners below 70 years of age.
- Family pensioners of state government employees.
- Eligible dependents, which one scheme guide says includes dependent differently-abled children.
- Pensioners aged 70 and above are not covered by this scheme. A minister has pointed to the Centre's Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme for senior citizens above 70.
What does the pensioner pay?
Sandhya Kiran is contributory, so beneficiaries pay a share of their pension. One report puts the contribution for service pensioners at 1.25% of basic pension. We could not find the rate for family pensioners in the sources we checked, so we have not stated one.
The government expects about Rs 117 crore a year from contributions against an estimated yearly treatment cost of about Rs 81.75 crore. If use of the scheme's fund crosses 85%, the contribution rate rises automatically by 0.05 percentage point.
How to enrol
The detailed enrolment process and the list of documents had not been published when we last checked. One scheme guide says the same. Until it is published, check with your pension-paying office and watch announcements from the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust, which will implement the scheme.
How it differs from related schemes
- Karnataka Arogya Sanjeevini Scheme (KASS): cashless care for serving state government employees and their dependents. Sandhya Kiran is for pensioners and family pensioners.
- Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK): the framework whose rules and rates Sandhya Kiran uses. It is a separate scheme with its own eligibility.
- Sandhya Suraksha: an old-age pension, not a health scheme. See the Sandhya Suraksha page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sandhya Kiran free?
No. It is a contributory scheme, so pensioners pay a share of their pension. One report gives 1.25% of basic pension for service pensioners.
Is joining Sandhya Kiran compulsory?
No. The scheme is described as voluntary.
How much cover does an eligible family get?
Up to Rs 5 lakh a year per family on a floater basis, for secondary, tertiary and emergency care at empanelled hospitals.
Who runs the scheme?
The Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust implements it under the Ayushman Bharat - Arogya Karnataka framework.
How do I apply for Sandhya Kiran?
An official enrolment process had not been published when this page was last updated on 24 October 2026. Check with your pension-paying office for the latest.
Practise: 5 quick questions
1. What is the maximum annual cashless cover per eligible family under Sandhya Kiran?
- Rs 2 lakh
- Rs 3 lakh
- Rs 5 lakh
- Rs 10 lakh
Show answer
C. Rs 5 lakh. Eligible families get up to Rs 5 lakh a year on a floater basis.
2. Which body implements the Sandhya Kiran scheme?
- Karnataka Health Department directly
- Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust
- Karnataka State Pension Board
- Employees State Insurance Corporation
Show answer
B. Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust. The Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust implements it through the AB-ArK system.
3. Sandhya Kiran covers state pensioners of which age?
- Below 60
- Below 65
- Below 70
- Above 70
Show answer
C. Below 70. It is for pensioners below 70 years, plus family pensioners and eligible dependents.
4. Under which framework was Sandhya Kiran formulated?
- Ayushman Bharat - Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK)
- Yeshasvini
- Jyoti Sanjeevini
- Vajpayee Arogyashree
Show answer
A. Ayushman Bharat - Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK). AB-ArK regulations, benefit packages and revised rates apply to the scheme.
5. What contribution of basic pension is reported for service pensioners?
- 0.5%
- 1.25%
- 2.5%
- 5%
Show answer
B. 1.25%. Service pensioners are reported to contribute 1.25% of their basic pension.
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