Can divorced central govt woman employee add parents to health scheme? DAE clarifies CHSS rule

The central government allows married female employees under the Contributory Health Service Scheme (CHSS) to choose either their parents or parents-in-law as CHSS beneficiaries just once. But what happens if she gets divorced? Can her biological parents still be included in the CHSS? This was a question many married female employees directed to the central government’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

In response, the DAE explained that according to the ‘explanation’ under Rule 4(C) of CHSS Rules 1998, the one-time option to add either parents or parents-in-law as a CHSS beneficiary is available specifically to married female employees.

Once divorced, she is no longer considered married, and therefore, the ‘explanation’ below Rule 4(C) doesn’t apply any more, according to the DAE.


However, the DAE further clarified that Rule 4(C) is applicable to the parents of divorced female employees too.

“Her parents become dependent if all other criteria of dependency under Rule 4(C) are fulfilled by them. Accordingly, it is clarified that after the divorce of a government female employee, her biological parents shall be eligible for inclusion under the CHSS, provided all the dependency conditions for parents, as per extant CHSS rules, are fulfilled,” says the Department in its clarification.

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Guidelines on CHSS facilities to mentally challenged/physically disabled dependent children beyond 25 years of age

In another clarification, the Department of Atomic Energy invited reference to an official order dated July 3, 2026, regarding guidelines issued for the grant of CHSS facilities to mentally challenged/physically disabled dependent children over 25 years of age.

Clarifying the conditions related to CHSS facilities to mentally challenged/physically disabled dependent children beyond 25 years of age, the DAE says that in partial modification to the above OM, Para 3 of the said OM shall be read as below.

Nature & stage of disability	Time period for extension of CHSS cards (at a time)
Physical disability – 40% to 90%	5 years
Physical disability – 90% and above	Lifetime
Mental/Intellectual disability – 40% to 50%	5 years
Mental/Intellectual disability – 50% and above	Lifetime

What is the Contributory Health Service Scheme (CHSS)?

The Contributory Health Service Scheme (CHSS) is a medical welfare programme used by many public sector organisations, research institutes, and departments like the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and other premier academic/research campuses.

The CHSS provides comprehensive in-patient and out-patient medical care to employees, students and their dependents.

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How is CHSS different from the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)?

The CGHS is a broad-based health programme for all eligible central government employees and pensioners across India. The scheme, run by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, covers the largest number of central government employees and pensioners across India at empanelled and non-empanelled hospitals.

On the other hand, the CHSS is a specialised, in-house medical scheme operated by specific independent departments such as the DAE, ISRO and the VSSC.