CGHS Procedure Rate

CSF/Any Body Fluid for Basic studies including cell count, protein, sugar, gram stain, India Ink preparation and smear for AFB

Code LB201·Diagnostic Imaging & Laboratory·Effective 13 October 2025

Official reference rate under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). Applicable to CGHS beneficiaries — central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents — at empanelled hospitals. Private patients are charged separately.

Rate matrix

Tier X — Metro
Delhi · Mumbai · Bengaluru · Chennai · Hyderabad · Kolkata · Ahmedabad · NCR
Non-NABH₹298
NABH₹350
Super Speciality₹350
Tier Y — City
Pune · Jaipur · Lucknow · Bhopal · Chandigarh · Patna · Nagpur · etc.
Non-NABH₹268
NABH₹315
Super Speciality₹315
Tier Z — District
All other CGHS cities
Non-NABH₹238
NABH₹280
Super Speciality₹280
Ward adjustment: General ward pays 5% less · Semi-private pays the listed rate · Private pays 5% more.

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Your applicable rate

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CGHS rate

₹350

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Frequently asked

Does the CGHS rate for CSF/Any Body Fluid for Basic studies including cell count, protein, sugar, gram stain, India Ink preparation and smear for AFB apply to private patients?▾
No. CGHS reference rates apply only to CGHS beneficiaries — central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents with a valid CGHS card. Private, self-paying patients are charged the hospital's regular rate, which is typically higher.
What if the hospital charges more than the CGHS rate?▾
Empanelled hospitals agree in writing to accept CGHS rates for beneficiaries. If you are overcharged as a beneficiary, raise it with the hospital billing desk first, then with your CGHS wellness centre. The Supreme Court in 2024 directed the central government to standardise hospital charges — until that takes effect, the CGHS rate is your enforceable reference.
What do X, Y, and Z city tiers mean?▾
CGHS classifies cities by cost-of-living tier. Tier X covers metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and NCR towns). Tier Y covers other large cities (Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Patna, Nagpur etc.). Tier Z covers all remaining CGHS cities. Tier Y rates are roughly 10% lower than X; Tier Z is roughly 20% lower.
Why are NABH, Non-NABH and Super Speciality rates different?▾
NABH-accredited hospitals meet nationally verified quality standards and are paid 10% more than Non-NABH. Super-speciality hospitals — which provide tertiary procedures like cardiac surgery, transplants, advanced oncology — are paid 15% more than Non-NABH. The accreditation status of each hospital is shown on its detail page.
How do ward entitlements (General, Semi-private, Private) affect the rate?▾
The rate above assumes a Semi-private ward. Beneficiaries entitled to General Ward pay approximately 5% less; those entitled to Private Ward pay approximately 5% more. Your ward entitlement is determined by your pay level at retirement (or current pay, for serving employees).
When was this rate last revised?▾
These are the rates from the CGHS revision effective 13 October 2025, notified on 3 October 2025 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Check the official notification on cghs.mohfw.gov.in for any subsequent amendments. View notification →

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Rates from the CGHS revision effective 13 October 2025, notified 3 October 2025 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. View on cghs.mohfw.gov.in