The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) provides comprehensive medical facilities to eligible Ex-Servicemen (ESM) pensioners, family pensioners and eligible dependents. The 64 KB ECHS Smart Card is an important identification and beneficiary-access document under the scheme.
ECHS has moved the smart-card application process online. Eligible beneficiaries can register, fill in the application, upload documents, make the prescribed payment and track the application through the online ECHS Smart Card portal. The official ECHS portal currently confirms that printing of 64 KB ECHS cards resumed from 7 January 2025.
This guide explains the ECHS Smart Card new application process in 2026, including eligibility, documents, online registration, payment, verification, card printing and collection.
Important: ECHS rules and fees can be revised from time to time. Applicants should always verify the amount displayed on the official portal before making payment.
ECHS Smat Card 2026 – Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Scheme | Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme |
| Card | 64 KB ECHS Smart Card |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official ECHS Website | www.echs.gov.in |
| Smart Card Application Portal | echs.sourceinfosys.com |
| Card Printing | 64 KB card printing resumed from 7 January 2025 |
| Verification | Concerned Record Office/competent ECHS authorities |
| Card Collection | Generally through concerned Station HQ as per prevailing procedure |
| ECHS Helpline | 1800-114-115 |
The ECHS official website provides the Smart Card Online Application link under its useful links section.
Who Is Eligible for an ECHS Smart Card?
According to the official ECHS brochure, the scheme covers Ex-Servicemen pensioners, disability pensioners, family pensioners and eligible dependents.
The basic eligibility conditions include:
- The applicant should have Ex-Servicemen status, where applicable.
- The beneficiary should generally be drawing service, disability or family pension from the competent pension authority/CDA.
- Eligible family members/dependents can also be included according to ECHS dependency rules.
The official ECHS brochure specifically includes the spouse, legitimate children and wholly dependent parents, subject to applicable conditions.
Categories that may apply for an ECHS Card
The online system caters to different categories, including:
- Future retirees
- Existing/old ECHS card holders requiring a new 64 KB card
- First-time applicants
- Pre-1996 retirees
- 1996–2003 retirees
- Post-2003 retirees who are not yet ECHS members
- Death-in-service cases
- Temporary Slip holders
- Applicants requiring replacement of old 16 KB/32 KB cards
- Lost 64 KB card cases
- Certain dependent/family cases
The exact documents and payment requirements depend upon the category selected in the application.
Documents Required for New ECHS Smart Card
The documents required depend on the applicant’s category. Therefore, applicants should not upload documents randomly; they should follow the requirements displayed for their particular category.
Commonly required documents include:
1. PPO – Pension Payment Order
A clear scanned copy of the PPO should be kept ready, wherever applicable.
2. Old ECHS Smart Card
For old-card holders applying for conversion/replacement with a new 64 KB card, the old card details/card copy may be required.
3. Passport-size photograph
Photograph requirements should be followed exactly as specified by the online application portal.
4. Signature
The beneficiary’s signature is required to be uploaded in the prescribed format.
5. Disability Medical Certificate
Required where the beneficiary/dependent is applying under a disability/PWD category.
6. Death Certificate
Required in applicable death-in-service/family cases.
7. MRO Receipt
May be required for certain categories, particularly where the applicable ECHS contribution has to be deposited.
8. DPDO/Banker’s Certificate
This may be required for specified pre-1996/other categories, particularly for establishing non-drawing of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA), wherever applicable.
The official ECHS FAQ provides category-wise document requirements and specifically lists PPO, death certificate, disability medical certificate, MRO receipt and DPDO/Banker’s Certificate for different application categories.
For dependents
Additional documents may be required depending upon the relationship and eligibility of the dependent, such as:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Dependency/eligibility documents
- Income-related documents
- Relevant service/record documentation
For current annual validation of dependents, ECHS has also introduced online submission of life and eligibility documents, with income verification requirements for applicable dependents.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a New ECHS Card Online
Step 1: Visit the Official ECHS Website
First visit:
ECHS Official Website – www.echs.gov.in
The official website contains links for:
- Smart Card application
- Record Offices
- Regional Centres
- Station Headquarters
- Polyclinics
- Card distribution
- ECHS policies and SOPs
- Beneficiary services
- ECHS mobile applications
Step 2: Open the ECHS Smart Card Application Portal
The direct online application portal is:
ECHS 64 KB Smart Card Application Portal
The portal is specifically titled “Online 64 KB Smart Card Application.”
Step 3: Register Yourself
If you are applying for the first time, select the registration option and provide the required information.
Typically, the system requires details such as:
- Service number
- Name
- Service/category
- Mobile number
- Email ID, where applicable
- Password
- Security/recovery information
Make sure that the mobile number entered is active because OTP/SMS communication is used during the application process.
Step 4: Login to the ECHS Portal
After registration, log in using your credentials.
The applicant should carefully check all pre-populated service/personal information before proceeding.
Do not rush through this stage.
A mistake in:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Service number
- Rank
- Pension details
- Dependent details
- Parent Polyclinic
- Entitlement
- Aadhaar/other identity information
can result in an observation or delay during verification.
Step 5: Select the Correct Application Category
This is one of the most important steps.
Select the category applicable to you, such as:
- Future Retiree
- Pre-1996 Retiree
- 1996–2003 Retiree
- Post-2003 Retiree
- Old Card Holder
- Temporary Slip Holder
- Death-in-Service Case
- Loss of Old Card
- Loss of 64 KB Card
- Other applicable category
The official ECHS FAQ provides separate document requirements for these categories.
Step 6: Fill in Personal and Service Details
Enter/check all required information, including where applicable:
- Name
- Service number
- Rank
- Date of birth
- Date of retirement
- Service
- Pension details
- PPO details
- Address
- Mobile number
- Email ID
- Parent ECHS Polyclinic
- Dependents
- Ward entitlement
- Other required details
Important Tip
Your ECHS application should match your official service and pension records.
If there is a discrepancy, it is better to have the underlying record corrected through the appropriate authority rather than submitting incorrect information.
Step 7: Add Eligible Dependents
If your application includes family members, enter their details carefully.
Depending upon the category, information may include:
- Name
- Relationship
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Dependency status
- Income-related information
- Other supporting details
Remember that simply entering a family member’s name does not automatically make that person eligible. The applicable ECHS dependency conditions must be satisfied.
Step 8: Upload the Required Documents
Upload clear and readable scanned copies of the documents required for your category.
Before uploading, check:
✔ Name is clearly visible
✔ PPO number is readable
✔ Photograph is clear
✔ Signature is clear
✔ Documents are not cropped
✔ Correct file is uploaded against the correct field
✔ Dependent documents are correctly matched
✔ File size and format meet portal requirements
The official ECHS FAQ confirms that document requirements vary according to the application type.
Step 9: Verify the Application Carefully
Before submitting the application, check every field.
This is particularly important because the ECHS card will be generated based on the information available in the system after verification.
Do not make payment until you are satisfied that the application is correct.
Step 10: Make the Required Payment
After completing the application, the portal provides the payment option applicable to the selected service/card category.
There are two different types of payments that should not be confused:
A. ECHS Membership Contribution
This is the one-time ECHS membership contribution applicable to certain categories of beneficiaries.
The official ECHS brochure states the following contribution structure for applicable post-1 January 1996 retirees:
| Category | One-time ECHS Contribution | Ward Entitlement |
| Recruit to Havildar and equivalent | ₹30,000 | General |
| JCOs/equivalent | ₹67,000 | Semi-Private |
| Officers | ₹1,20,000 | Private |
The official brochure also states that AFVs retired prior to 1 January 1996 and battle casualties/war widows are exempt from paying contribution, subject to the applicable rules.
Important: These are membership-contribution amounts, not simply the price of printing the physical Smart Card.
B. Smart Card Printing/Replacement Charges
A separate card-related charge may be applicable depending on whether the application is for:
- Fresh 64 KB card
- Conversion from old 16/32 KB card
- Replacement
- Loss/reprint
- Change of data
The amount payable should be taken from the payment screen of the official ECHS Smart Card portal at the time of application rather than relying on old articles or screenshots.
Older ECHS instructions have quoted different card-printing charges over time, so beneficiaries should use the amount actually generated by the current portal.
Payment failure?
The official ECHS FAQ says that payment errors may take 24–48 working hours to resolve in some cases. Beneficiaries should avoid repeatedly making payments without first checking the transaction/application status.
Step 11: Application Goes for Verification
After successful submission and payment, the application moves through the prescribed online verification process.
The Record Office has an important role in verification of the application.
The official ECHS FAQ states that applicants can check their application status through their login/audit trail and that verification is the responsibility of the concerned Record Office.
Possible status/observations
Your application may show stages such as:
Submitted → Under Verification → Verified → Sent for Printing → Printed → Dispatched/Received at Station HQ
If an observation is raised, the applicant should log in and take corrective action as instructed.
Step 12: ECHS Card Printing
Once the application has been successfully verified, it proceeds for card printing.
The ECHS Smart Card portal currently confirms that 64 KB ECHS card printing resumed from 7 January 2025.
The card-distribution process involves the ECHS administrative chain, including the relevant Regional Centre/Station Headquarters.
Step 13: How to Collect Your ECHS Smart Card
One of the most common questions among veterans is:
“Where will I get my new ECHS card?”
The prevailing procedure provides for collection through the designated Station Headquarters associated with the beneficiary’s Parent Polyclinic/area.
After the card reaches the designated location, the beneficiary receives an SMS/intimation according to the applicable system.
The beneficiary should then report to the concerned Station HQ for collection and authentication as prescribed.
The ECHS FAQ explains that card collection is handled through Station Headquarters rather than making ECHS Polyclinics the primary card-distribution point.
Carry these while collecting the card
It is advisable to carry:
- Existing/old ECHS card, if applicable
- Identity proof
- Application details/receipt
- SMS/intimation
- PPO copy, if required
- Relevant documents requested by Station HQ
If an old card has been replaced, it may need to be surrendered according to the applicable instructions.
What Happens After You Receive the 64 KB ECHS Card?
After receiving the card, beneficiaries should ensure that:
- The name is correct.
- Service number is correct.
- Photograph is correct.
- Date of birth is correct.
- Entitlement is correct.
- Dependent details are correct.
- Parent Polyclinic is correctly reflected.
- The card is properly activated/registered as required by the prevailing ECHS system.
The ECHS ecosystem has also moved toward kiosk/mobile-based services for beneficiaries.
What If There Is a Mistake on the ECHS Card?
Do not ignore an error.
For errors such as:
- Wrong name
- Wrong date of birth
- Incorrect entitlement
- Incorrect dependent information
- Other demographic/service-data errors
the beneficiary can use the Change Data facility available through the online Smart Card system, where applicable.
The application is then processed for verification and a new card may be issued after approval.
What If the ECHS Card Is Lost?
If your 64 KB ECHS Smart Card is lost:
- Login to the online Smart Card portal.
- Select the Loss of Card option.
- Select the beneficiary/card.
- Block the lost card.
- Complete the reprint application.
- Make the applicable payment.
- Track the new card.
- Collect the replacement card from the designated location.
ECHS instructions also provide for optional courier delivery in applicable cases, subject to payment of courier charges; otherwise the beneficiary can collect the card from the designated Station HQ.
Is Hard Copy of the ECHS Application Required?
For the online smart-card application process, the official ECHS FAQ states that submission of the hard copy of the application has been done away with and the application moves through the online system.
However, applicants should retain:
- Application printout/PDF
- Payment receipt
- Application number
- Uploaded documents
- SMS/e-mail communications
for their own records.
What If the ECHS Card Application Is Delayed?
First, login to the Smart Card portal and check the application status.
If the application is pending at the verification stage, contact the concerned Record Office.
If the application has been verified but the card has not been printed, the official ECHS FAQ lists the following helpline:
ECHS Toll-Free: 1800-114-115
The ECHS website also provides the official contact structure and links to Record Offices and Regional Centres.
Important ECHS Smart Card Tips for Veterans
1. Use only the official portal
For the actual application and payment, use the official ECHS-linked Smart Card portal:
Avoid paying through links received from unknown WhatsApp groups or individuals.
2. Keep your registered mobile number active
SMS/OTP-based communication is an important part of the current system.
3. Check your application after submission
Do not assume that submission means approval.
Regularly check the status and observations in your login.
4. Don’t upload unclear documents
A poor-quality PPO, photograph or signature can create avoidable problems.
5. Keep payment proof
Save the transaction receipt and application details.
6. Do not surrender an old card prematurely
If you are transitioning from an old card to a new card, follow the instructions applicable to your case and surrender the old card when required.
7. Keep dependent information updated
ECHS has separate rules for annual validation and eligibility of dependents. Current ECHS instructions require eligible dependents to meet prescribed conditions and, where applicable, submit life/eligibility and income-related documentation.
Official ECHS Websites and Useful Resources
1. ECHS Official Website
ECHS – Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme
Use this website for official policies, circulars, SOPs, Regional Centre information, Record Office details and links to ECHS services.
2. ECHS 64 KB Smart Card Application Portal
ECHS Smart Card Online Application
This is the portal for online 64 KB ECHS Smart Card applications and related card services. (ECHS)
3. ESM Info Club
ESM Info Club publishes simplified explanations of ECHS rules and recent developments for veterans and their families, including recent 2026 updates on ECHS card handling and annual validation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ECHS Smart Card application online?
Yes. The 64 KB ECHS Smart Card application is processed through the online Smart Card portal.
What is the official ECHS Smart Card website?
The online 64 KB Smart Card application portal is:
Is the ECHS card fee the same as ECHS membership contribution?
No. Membership contribution and card-printing/replacement charges are different matters. The applicable amounts depend upon the beneficiary category and type of card application.
Do pre-1996 retirees have to pay ECHS contribution?
The official ECHS brochure provides exemptions for applicable pre-1 January 1996 retirees and certain other categories, subject to the prevailing rules.
Can I submit the ECHS application offline?
The smart-card application is primarily processed online. The official FAQ states that submission of the hard copy has been discontinued for the online application process.)
Where do I collect my ECHS card?
The card is generally collected from the designated Station Headquarters as per the prevailing card-distribution procedure, after receipt/intimation.
What should I do if my application is rejected or an observation is raised?
Login to the portal, read the observation carefully and upload/correct the required information or documents. If the issue concerns service records, contact the concerned Record Office.
What should I do if I lose my ECHS card?
Block the card online under the Loss of Card option and apply for reprint after making the applicable payment.
Conclusion
Applying for a new 64 KB ECHS Smart Card is now largely an online process. Eligible veterans and beneficiaries should begin with the official ECHS website, access the Smart Card application portal, register, select the correct category, complete the application, upload the required documents and make the applicable payment.
The most important points are to select the correct category, provide accurate service and pension details, upload clear documents, retain payment proof and regularly check the application status.
Once the application is verified and the card is printed, the beneficiary should follow the SMS/intimation and collect the card from the designated Station Headquarters according to the prevailing ECHS procedure.
Official ECHS Helpline: 1800-114-115.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information and guidance. ECHS procedures, eligibility conditions, fees, card-distribution arrangements and document requirements may change through subsequent orders. For any discrepancy, the latest instructions issued by the Central Organisation ECHS and the information displayed on the official ECHS portal should prevail.