Many of Mumbai’s large private hospitals are run by public charitable trusts registered under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950. Because they receive concessions such as land on nominal lease, tax exemptions and other benefits, they are legally bound to set aside beds for poor patients, treating some free of charge and others at concessional rates. Many families who qualify never ask. This guide explains who qualifies, what to carry and what to do if the hospital refuses.
The scheme at a glance
| Category | Annual family income | What the hospital must provide |
|---|---|---|
| Indigent patient | Up to Rs 1,80,000 | Examination and treatment free of cost; 10% of operational beds reserved |
| Weaker section patient | Rs 1,80,001 to Rs 3,60,000 | Treatment at concessional rates (generally 50% of the hospital’s charges); a further 10% of beds reserved |
These are the income limits applied by charitable hospitals in Mumbai as of 2025 to 2026. Limits are revised from time to time, so confirm the current figure with the hospital’s medical social worker or the Charity Commissioner’s office.
Where the obligation comes from
Section 41AA of the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act allows the Charity Commissioner and the State Government to direct hospitals run by public trusts to earmark beds for poorer patients, free or at concessional rates. On the directions of the Bombay High Court, a scheme was framed in 2006 (the High Court’s order is dated 17 August 2006). Under it, each charitable hospital must:
- reserve 10% of its operational beds for indigent patients and treat them free;
- reserve another 10% for weaker section patients at concessional rates;
- credit 2% of the gross billing of its regular paying patients to an Indigent Patients Fund (IPF), used to pay for the treatment of these patients.
Under the scheme, non-billable services such as the bed, resident medical officer services, nursing care, food provided by the hospital, linen, water, electricity and routine diagnostics are to be free for both indigent and weaker section patients.
Emergencies: no deposit before treatment
A charitable hospital must give essential life-saving emergency treatment until the patient is stabilised, and arrange transport to a public hospital if further care cannot be given there. In 2025, after a widely reported case in Pune in which a pregnant woman was refused admission over a deposit, the State directed charitable hospitals to admit emergency patients from poor and weaker sections without insisting on an advance payment.Where the patient is admitted in an emergency, the papers can usually follow after admission.
Documents to carry
- An income certificate issued by the Tahsildar, or a ration card (yellow or orange, or a below poverty line card);
- Aadhaar card or other photo identity proof of the patient;
- Doctor’s referral, reports and prescriptions;
- Where the patient is admitted in an emergency, these can usually follow after admission.
The scheme provides for the hospital’s medical social worker to verify economic status on the basis of any one of these documents: the Tahsildar’s certificate or the ration card. If the hospital demands papers beyond this, ask in writing what rule requires them.
Which hospitals are covered
The office of the Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra, publishes a list of charitable hospitals on its website, and several dozen hospitals in Mumbai and its suburbs fall under the scheme, including several large multi-speciality hospitals. Hospitals have been directed to use the word “charitable” and to display information about reserved beds and free treatment on their premises, so that patients know they can ask.
This scheme is separate from government health insurance schemes such as the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Bharat. A patient may be eligible under more than one; ask the hospital’s social worker which applies.
Step by step
- Check that the hospital is a charitable trust hospital (the Charity Commissioner’s list, or ask at the hospital’s front desk).
- Before or on admission, ask for the medical social worker or the charity desk and say that you are applying as an indigent or weaker section patient.
- Submit the Tahsildar income certificate or ration card, with identity proof and the doctor’s papers. Keep copies and note the date and the name of the person who received them.
- Ask for the decision in writing, including the category you are placed in and the estimate of any amount payable.
- If a bed is said to be unavailable, ask to be put on the waiting list for reserved beds and note the reply.
- If the hospital refuses or does not respond, make a written complaint (see below) without delay, since treatment cannot wait.
If the hospital refuses
- Complain in writing to the hospital: the medical superintendent and the medical social worker. Describe the patient, the date, what was asked for and what was refused.
- Complain to the Charity Commissioner.The State has also announced stronger monitoring of charitable hospitals; ask the Charity Commissioner’s office for the current complaint channel. A complaint should give the hospital’s name, the patient’s details, the income documents submitted and copies of any bills or estimates.
- Bills already paid. Where a qualifying patient was charged full rates, a complaint to the Charity Commissioner may also ask for an inquiry and refund. In urgent or serious cases, patients have approached the Bombay High Court.
Frequently asked questions
Is the treatment completely free for indigent patients?
The scheme requires medical examination and treatment in every department to be free of cost for indigent patients. Weaker section patients are charged at concessional rates. Ask the hospital for a written estimate so that you know in advance what, if anything, will be charged.
I do not have a yellow or orange ration card. Can I still apply?
Yes. An income certificate from the Tahsildar is an alternative document. Apply for it early, since it can take some time to issue.
Can a charitable hospital ask for a deposit in an emergency?
Charitable hospitals have been directed to give emergency treatment to poor and weaker section patients without insisting on an advance deposit, and to stabilise the patient before any transfer.
Who can I complain to if the hospital says no reserved bed is free?
First the medical superintendent in writing, and then the office of the Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra, at Worli, which supervises charitable hospitals.
See also: matters before the Charity Commissioner and which Charity Commissioner office handles a Mumbai trust.
Consultations are by appointment. To fix a time, telephone +91 99301 50560 or send a message on WhatsApp.
This guide describes general procedure as understood in October 2026. It is not legal advice; income limits and directions change, so confirm the current position with the hospital or the Charity Commissioner’s office before acting.