OPD Appointment Guide: AIIMS Rishikesh

AIIMS Rishikesh (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh) is a central government teaching hospital located on Virbhadra Road in Uttarakhand, established under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana to bring tertiary and super-specialty care to underserved regions of northern India. It runs more than 40 clinical departments and 94 specialty clinics, maintains a 24-hour trauma and emergency service, and draws patients from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, western Uttar Pradesh, and neighbouring states.

This guide explains how patients register for an OPD appointment — both online through the national ORS portal and at the hospital counter on the day — what to expect when you arrive, how long waits typically run, and which government schemes reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for eligible families.

Registration and OPD fees at AIIMS Rishikesh

AIIMS Rishikesh is a central government hospital. Fees cited are as published on the official OPD page; patients should confirm the current rate at the counter as these are subject to revision.

• OPD registration fee — Rs. 10 — valid for one week of follow-up visits in the same episode
• OPD consultation charge — Included in the registration fee; no separate consultation fee for OPD
• Diagnostics (blood tests, imaging, etc.) — Nominal subsidised government rates — confirm current amounts at the diagnostic registration counter
• Inpatient and surgical procedures — Follow government schedule-of-rates; scheme beneficiaries and BPL patients may pay nothing for covered procedures

Government schemes that help cover treatment

• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — Cashless hospitalisation up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for SECC-listed and eligible beneficiaries. AIIMS Rishikesh is an empanelled provider. Check eligibility at beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
• Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana (AAUY) — Uttarakhand's state universal health scheme — Rs. 5 lakh per family per year cashless cover extended to all permanent resident families holding an NFSA ration card. Converges with PM-JAY at empanelled government hospitals including AIIMS Rishikesh. Helpline: 104 or 1800-180-5368.
• CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) — Cashless treatment available for serving central government employees, pensioners, and dependents. Emergency cases require no referral; planned admission requires a referral from your designated CGHS Wellness Centre.
• BPL / below poverty line exemption — BPL card holders may be eligible for full or partial exemption from treatment charges; present your BPL ration card at the hospital's social welfare desk on arrival.

Rates shown are as per the AIIMS Rishikesh official website (2026) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to get an appointment at AIIMS Rishikesh

Patients have two routes: booking online through the national ORS portal before their visit, or registering in person at the OPD counter on the day.

Online via ORS portal (ors.gov.in): Go to ors.gov.in on any browser or through the Aarogya Setu app. Enter your mobile number and complete OTP verification. Under 'Book Appointment', select State — Uttarakhand, then Hospital — AIIMS Rishikesh. Choose your department and pick an available date; green dates have open slots. Select 'New Appointment' if you are a first-time patient. Confirm with a second OTP and you receive an appointment number by SMS. Carry that message and show it at the OPD registration counter when you arrive.

Online slots fill quickly for popular departments. Check early in the morning and try a few days ahead of your intended visit date. Cancellations sometimes free up same-day slots.

Walk-in at the OPD counter: If online slots are exhausted, patients may register directly at the hospital OPD registration counter. Registration is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Arrive early — queues build quickly, particularly for General Medicine, Orthopaedics, and Cardiology. Carry a valid photo ID (Aadhaar preferred) and any previous medical records.

The registration fee is Rs. 10, valid for one week, which allows follow-up visits within that period without paying again. After registration you receive a token and wait in the relevant department's seating area until your name is called.

How long it takes to get seen

AIIMS Rishikesh is a high-volume referral hospital and realistic wait times vary considerably by department, day of week, and whether you have an online appointment. Patients with an ORS appointment typically reach the doctor sooner because a portion of slots are reserved for them.

General Medicine, Orthopaedics, and ENT draw the largest footfall; patients without prior appointments in these departments often wait several hours. Super-specialty departments such as Neurology, Cardiology, and Nephrology generally require a referral from General Medicine or from another hospital; first-time self-referrals may be directed to register through the general clinic first.

Arriving before 8:00 AM — before the counter opens — gives you an earlier token and reduces afternoon waiting. Emergency and trauma cases bypass the OPD queue entirely and are seen in the 24-hour Emergency Medicine department.

For surgical consultations or procedures, a further appointment at a specialty OPD is usually needed after the initial consultation. Patients travelling from outside Rishikesh should plan for at least two visits before any admitted procedure.

Key departments available in OPD

AIIMS Rishikesh runs more than 40 clinical departments. The departments below hold scheduled OPD sessions: General Medicine, General Surgery, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Paediatric Surgery, Ophthalmology, ENT (Otorhinolaryngology), Psychiatry, Dermatology, Pulmonary Medicine, Gastroenterology, Surgical Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Urology, Medical Oncology and Haematology, Radiation Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Anaesthesiology, Geriatric Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Nuclear Medicine, and Emergency Medicine.

Confirm the day-specific schedule on the hospital's OPD Schedule page (aiimsrishikesh.edu.in) before your visit, as individual doctors rotate across different clinic days and some specialty clinics run only on certain days of the week.

What treatment costs and financial help available

As a central government hospital, AIIMS Rishikesh provides most diagnostic tests, medicines from its pharmacy, and many procedures at heavily subsidised government rates. Admitted patients from eligible scheme families pay nothing for covered procedures.

The OPD registration fee of Rs. 10 covers the consultation and is valid for one week. Diagnostic tests and medicines carry nominal charges at government-schedule rates, which are substantially lower than private hospital pricing. For inpatient surgical procedures, the applicable charges follow the Government of India's schedule of rates.

Patients who hold a PM-JAY or Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana golden card can access cashless hospitalisation up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year at AIIMS Rishikesh. CGHS beneficiaries — central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents — can also access cashless treatment with appropriate documentation. BPL card holders should approach the hospital social welfare desk to understand applicable exemptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral letter to come to AIIMS Rishikesh?

For General Medicine or General Surgery OPD, no referral is required — any patient can register directly. For super-specialty departments such as Cardiology or Neurology, it is strongly advisable to carry a referral letter from your district hospital or general physician, as the OPD doctor may redirect walk-ins through the general clinic first. Emergency cases are always seen without a referral.

What documents should I carry?

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar card is the most widely accepted), your mobile number for OTP verification if using the ORS portal, any previous prescriptions or investigation reports related to your condition, and — if applicable — your CGHS card, Ayushman or AAUY golden card, or BPL ration card. Having these ready at the counter reduces time spent at registration.

Can I book an appointment for a family member?

Yes. On the ORS portal you can register a family member or dependent using their Aadhaar details linked to your account. The patient still needs to appear in person for the consultation and carry valid ID matching the registration details.

What if I arrive after my ORS appointment time?

If you arrive after your scheduled slot, approach the OPD registration counter and explain the situation. Counter staff can often still accommodate you within the same session, but this is not ensured — particularly later in the morning. It is always safer to arrive at least 30 minutes before your slot time.

Is AIIMS Rishikesh open on public holidays?

Emergency and trauma services run 24 hours every day including Sundays and public holidays. Scheduled OPD sessions are held Monday to Saturday only; OPD is closed on Sundays and gazetted public holidays. Confirm specific holiday closures on the official website or by calling the hospital before travelling from a distance.

How do I reach AIIMS Rishikesh?

The hospital is on Virbhadra Road, approximately 5 km from Rishikesh railway station and roughly 40 km from Dehradun. Shared auto-rickshaws and taxis operate between Rishikesh bus stand and Virbhadra. The nearest major railway station is Haridwar, about 25 km away, which has more frequent train connections from Delhi and other cities.

Related

• How to find an Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) hospital near you
• Government health schemes in India: a guide
• Government Doon Medical College appointment and OPD guide
• Government Medical College Haldwani appointment and OPD guide

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.