Complete ECHS Guide for Nepal Domiciled Gorkha (NDG) Ex-Servicemen

Nepal Domiciled Gorkha ex-servicemen form one of the most dedicated cohorts of retired Indian Army personnel. Tens of thousands of Gorkha veterans and their families live across the hills and valleys of Nepal, and the ECHS scheme is designed to ensure they receive the same healthcare entitlements as their counterparts living in India. This guide explains everything a Nepal-based Gorkha veteran needs to know about using ECHS effectively.

Who Are Nepal Domiciled Gorkha (NDG) Ex-Servicemen?

Nepal Domiciled Gorkha (NDG) ex-servicemen are retired soldiers of the Indian Army who were recruited from Nepal — primarily from Gorkha regiments — and who return to Nepal after completing their military service. They are entitled to full ECHS benefits, administered through ECHS polyclinics and empanelled hospitals in Nepal.

Nepal has a long tradition of providing soldiers to the Indian Army through the Gorkha regiments — the Sikh Light Infantry, the Gurkha Rifles, and others. Upon retirement, the majority of these veterans return to their home villages and towns in Nepal. The Indian government recognises their service and extends the ECHS healthcare scheme to cover them in Nepal through a network of polyclinics established specifically for NDG ex-servicemen. This makes ECHS one of the most important welfare schemes for Gorkha veterans and their families residing in Nepal.

How Does ECHS Work for Ex-Servicemen Living in Nepal?

ECHS works in Nepal through a network of dedicated polyclinics established in regions with high NDG veteran populations. These polyclinics serve as the primary healthcare point and issue referrals to ECHS empanelled hospitals — such as A & B International Hospital in Pokhara — for specialist and hospital-level care.

The ECHS model in Nepal mirrors the structure in India:

1. The ECHS polyclinic provides OPD care, basic investigations, and medicines.
2. When specialist care is needed, the polyclinic issues a referral to an empanelled hospital.
3. The empanelled hospital provides cashless specialist treatment, billing ECHS directly.

The scheme covers OPD consultations, inpatient admissions, surgical procedures, diagnostic investigations, and medicines — all within the ECHS entitlement framework. ESM and their enrolled dependents are covered.

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu plays an administrative role in coordinating ECHS for NDG veterans in Nepal, including card renewals, dependent updates, and communications with Station Headquarters in India.

Where Are ECHS Polyclinics Located in Nepal?

ECHS polyclinics in Nepal are located in areas with high concentrations of Gorkha veterans, including Pokhara, Dharan, Kathmandu, Butwal, and other hill districts. The Pokhara polyclinic (Type A, established April 2014) serves the Gandaki Province and is the primary referral point for veterans in western Nepal.

Known ECHS polyclinic locations in Nepal include:

• Pokhara — Type A ECHS Polyclinic (serves Gandaki Province and surrounding districts)
• Dharan — serves Koshi Province (high Gorkha population in eastern Nepal)
• Kathmandu — serves the capital region, coordinates with Embassy of India
• Butwal / Bhairahawa — serves Lumbini Province veterans
• Biratnagar — serves eastern Terai region

Veterans should always register with the polyclinic closest to their place of residence to ensure smooth access to OPD services and timely specialist referrals.

What Are the ECHS Entitlements for NDG Ex-Servicemen?

NDG ex-servicemen are entitled to OPD consultations, inpatient treatment, surgical procedures, diagnostic investigations (laboratory, radiology), listed medicines, and specialist referrals — the same entitlements applicable to ESM in India — along with their enrolled dependents.

ECHS entitlements in detail:

• OPD Services: Consultations with polyclinic doctors, basic laboratory tests, basic diagnostic imaging, and dispensing of medicines from the ECHS formulary.
• Inpatient (IPD) Services: Hospital admission for medical conditions, surgical procedures, post-operative care, ICU care when required.
• Investigations: Blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, ultrasound, ECG, and advanced investigations (CT, MRI) when referred to an empanelled facility.
• Medicines: All medicines listed in the ECHS formulary are dispensed free of cost. Non-formulary medicines require approval.
• Surgical Procedures: General surgery, orthopedic surgery, ophthalmic surgery (cataracts), ENT procedures, and other listed surgical interventions.
• Dental Care: Limited dental procedures within ECHS entitlements.
• Specialist Care: Referral to empanelled hospitals for cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, oncology, and other specialties.

Entitlements are subject to ECHS guidelines and may be updated periodically. Veterans should check the current ECHS schedule of charges and covered procedures via the ECHS official website or their Station Headquarters.

How Do NDG Veterans Register or Update Their ECHS Card in Nepal?

NDG veterans in Nepal register or update their ECHS Smart Card through their respective Records Office or Station HQ in India, or through the Defence Wing of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, which assists with ECHS card applications, renewals, and dependent enrollment for Nepal-based beneficiaries.

The registration and update process:

1. New registrations are processed through the Zila Sainik Board and the respective Regimental Records Office.
2. Card renewals for Nepal-based ESM are coordinated with the Station HQ or directly through the Embassy of India, Kathmandu.
3. Adding dependents (new spouse, newborn, dependent parent) requires submission of documents — marriage certificate, birth certificate, dependency certificate — to the Records Office or Embassy Defence Wing.
4. ECHS online portal (echs.gov.in) provides status tracking and some services for card updates.

Which Hospitals in Pokhara Are ECHS Empanelled?

A & B International Hospital (Bindhyaabasini, Pokhara-02) is among the ECHS empanelled hospitals in Pokhara, offering a broad range of specialties to ECHS beneficiaries in the Gandaki region. Other empanelled facilities in the region include Manipal Teaching Hospital and Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital.

For Gorkha veterans in the Pokhara valley and surrounding districts, A & B International Hospital offers particular advantages:

• Central Pokhara location, accessible from all major approach roads
• Broad range of departments covering most common veteran health needs
• Experienced team familiar with ECHS billing and documentation
• 24-hour emergency department for urgent cases

What Should You Do If You Need ECHS Care and Are Far From the Polyclinic?

If you are in a remote location or cannot reach the polyclinic due to distance, illness severity, or an emergency, you may go directly to the nearest ECHS empanelled hospital for emergency care without a referral. For non-emergency conditions, contact the ECHS polyclinic by phone to seek guidance on the appropriate procedure.

Practical steps for veterans in remote districts:

• Emergency: Go directly to the nearest empanelled hospital or emergency facility. Present ECHS Smart Card on arrival. Notify the polyclinic after stabilization.
• Non-emergency, far from polyclinic: Contact ECHS Polyclinic Pokhara by phone, explain the situation, and follow their guidance. In some cases, a telephonic consultation and remote referral may be arranged.
• Embassy of India, Kathmandu: For administrative issues, card problems, or if you are in the Kathmandu Valley, contact the Defence Wing of the Embassy directly.

Your ECHS Healthcare Partner in Pokhara

A & B International Hospital is dedicated to serving Nepal’s Gorkha veteran community with the quality healthcare you deserve. Our team understands the ECHS system and is here to make your healthcare experience straightforward and dignified.

A & B International Hospital

Bindhyaabasini, Pokhara-02, Kaski, Nepal

Phone: +977 061-412512

Website: abinthospital.com

Emergency: 24 hours, 7 days

Carry your ECHS Smart Card and referral from the polyclinic. We handle the rest — cashless, professionally, and with respect for your service.