Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya (CNBC) — OPD Guide for Patients and Families

Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya (CNBC), located at Geeta Colony in East Delhi, is a dedicated super-specialty pediatric hospital run by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. With 221 beds and an affiliation to Maulana Azad Medical College, the hospital provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical care for infants, children, and adolescents. It operates a 24-hour emergency service and dispenses medicines free of charge.

This guide explains how a parent or guardian can obtain an OPD appointment for a child, what the visit involves in practical terms, which departments are available, and how central and state government health schemes can reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs. All information has been drawn from official government sources; where a specific figure or detail could not be verified, that is stated clearly so families know to confirm it at the hospital counter or official portal.

Registration and OPD fees at Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya

CNBC is a government-run hospital. Charges here are set by the Delhi government and are substantially lower than private hospital rates. BPL cardholders and beneficiaries of the schemes listed below may be entitled to additional waivers — ask at the registration counter.

• General OPD registration fee — A nominal fee is charged at the registration counter. The exact current amount should be confirmed at Counter a major or on the official portal (cnbc.delhi.gov.in) before your visit, as government rates are revised periodically.
• Medicines — Dispensed free of charge from the hospital pharmacy to OPD and inpatient patients.
• Routine diagnostics and investigations — Subsidised or free for patients attending government hospital OPD; confirm specific test charges at the relevant counter on the day of visit.
• Emergency services — Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no separate registration charge for pediatric emergencies.

Government schemes that help cover treatment

Scheme eligibility and empanelment lists are updated periodically. Always carry relevant documents (Ayushman card, Voter ID, BPL card, CGHS card) to the hospital.

• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — Cashless coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation, surgeries, diagnostics, ICU care, and medicines across 1,961 procedures in 27 specialties. Delhi joined PM-JAY in April 2025. Eligible families (SECC/NFSA-listed) can use their Ayushman card at empanelled Delhi government hospitals. Verify current CNBC empanelment status at hospitals.pmjay.gov.in or PM-JAY helpline 14555 / 1800-11-4477.
• Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) — Financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh per family for major surgeries, critical illnesses, and high-cost diagnostic procedures. Open to Delhi residents with a family income up to Rs 3 lakh per year. A valid Delhi Voter ID is required (parent's Voter ID for a minor patient). Treatment must be in a Delhi government hospital or a DAK-empanelled facility. Apply through the hospital's social welfare desk or at health.delhi.gov.in.
• CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) — Central government employees and pensioners holding a CGHS card can receive treatment at government hospitals under CGHS provisions. Confirm referral and reimbursement procedures with your CGHS Wellness Centre before the visit.
• BPL / Below Poverty Line exemptions — Patients holding a valid BPL ration card issued by the Delhi government may be entitled to full waiver of registration and select treatment charges. Present the card at the registration counter.

Rates shown are as per the Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya — 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 Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya

The primary route for a first OPD visit is direct walk-in registration at the hospital's registration counter. Patients arrive at CNBC, Geeta Colony, New Delhi — 110031, and collect a registration token at Counter a major during the designated window. No prior appointment is strictly required for general OPD, but arriving early in the registration window significantly reduces wait time.

Online OPD registration is also available for CNBC. The hospital's official portal (cnbc.delhi.gov.in) and the national ORS (Online Registration System) portal at ors.gov.in list CNBC among participating hospitals. Through ORS, a caregiver can register online, receive a token number, and proceed directly to the relevant OPD unit on the appointment day. Check the ORS portal or the hospital website for the current availability of slots in specific departments before booking online.

For general OPD, registration timings are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 11:30 am, and Saturday, 8:30 am to 11:00 am. The hospital is closed on Sundays for routine OPD. Special clinics (specific subspecialty sessions) have a separate registration window from 1:45 pm to 2:30 pm, with the clinic running from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Families attending special clinics should confirm which clinic session applies to their child's condition, as not all subspecialties run every day.

Carry the child's previous medical records, discharge summaries, investigation reports, and any referral letter on the first visit. This helps the consulting physician understand the child's history and avoids repeating investigations unnecessarily.

How long it takes to get seen

CNBC is a busy government referral hospital serving a large catchment area. Families should plan for a half-day visit. Arriving at the start of the registration window and completing registration early — ideally before 9:30 am — generally means shorter queue times before the doctor's session begins. Special clinic appointments in the afternoon operate on a separate, typically smaller-volume slot, so waiting times there may differ.

If a patient needs investigation results before the doctor can advise treatment, those are usually done the same day; the family may be asked to return to the OPD queue once results are ready, which can extend the total time at the hospital. Bringing snacks and water for the child is advisable, particularly for very young children.

For genuine pediatric emergencies — breathing difficulty, seizures, high fever with altered consciousness, trauma — the 24-hour emergency department should be used directly rather than the OPD route.

Key departments at CNBC

CNBC provides care exclusively for children and adolescents across a range of medical and surgical subspecialties. Departments confirmed from official and reliable sources include: Pediatric Medicine (general outpatient consultations for common childhood illnesses and complex medical conditions); Pediatric Surgery (general surgery, urology, and orthopedic surgery for children); Neonatology (a functional Neonatal ICU for premature and critically ill newborns); Pediatric Cardiology (outpatient and inpatient cardiac evaluation); Pediatric Endocrinology (diabetes, growth disorders, thyroid conditions, and other hormonal conditions in children); Pediatric Nephrology (kidney disease, with dialysis services available); and Pediatric ICU with 12 intensive care beds. Pediatric Neurology is also referenced in hospital materials.

For conditions spanning multiple systems, the OPD physician will direct families to the appropriate department or arrange a multi-departmental review. Where a subspecialty clinic runs on specific days only, the registration staff can advise the correct day to attend.

What treatment costs and financial help

Because CNBC is a Delhi government hospital, the cost structure differs substantially from private care. Medicines are dispensed free at the hospital pharmacy. Routine outpatient consultations and most basic investigations are heavily subsidised. Complex procedures and surgeries follow government-approved rates rather than private market prices.

Families facing significant out-of-pocket costs for a major surgery or a prolonged illness should approach the hospital's social welfare desk before or during the admission process. The social welfare staff can initiate applications for Delhi Arogya Kosh or verify PM-JAY eligibility on the spot. Bringing identity documents — Delhi Voter ID (for a parent, if the patient is a minor), Aadhaar card, and income certificate if available — will speed up the process considerably.

Families who do not hold any scheme card but face financial hardship can still request consideration for BPL-category concessions at the registration counter on the day of the visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CNBC see patients of all ages, or only young children?

CNBC provides care exclusively for pediatric patients — generally defined as infants through adolescents up to 18 years of age. Adults requiring treatment should attend a different Delhi government hospital.

Is there a separate OPD for urgent cases that cannot wait for the general queue?

Yes. A dedicated 24-hour Medical Pediatric Casualty and Emergency Department operates around the clock for urgent cases. If a child has a sudden or serious illness — severe breathing difficulty, a seizure, or a serious injury — go directly to the emergency department rather than joining the general OPD queue.

Can I book an appointment online without coming to the counter first?

Online registration through the ORS portal (ors.gov.in) is listed as available for CNBC. However, slot availability varies by department and date. Check the portal before the intended visit day to confirm slots are open for the required specialty, and keep the registration slip or confirmation number to present at the OPD counter on arrival.

My child has already been seen at another hospital and I have reports. Will CNBC accept a referral?

Yes. Bringing previous investigation reports, discharge summaries, and a referral letter from the treating doctor will be useful. The CNBC physician uses these to avoid redundant tests and to understand the child's treatment history. There is no formal requirement for a referral letter to attend CNBC OPD, but it helps the consultation considerably.

How does Delhi Arogya Kosh work if my child needs surgery at CNBC?

If the treating doctor advises surgery or a high-cost procedure, ask the OPD or admissions staff to direct you to the hospital's social welfare desk. Staff there can check DAK eligibility against your Delhi Voter ID and income criteria. If eligible, treatment costs up to Rs 5 lakh are covered in cashless mode directly paid by the scheme to the hospital — the family does not pay upfront and claim later.

Is there parking and are there food facilities on campus?

CNBC is located on Raja Ram Kohli Marg, Geeta Colony. For current information on parking, canteen facilities, or accessibility arrangements, contact the hospital directly at 011-21210203 or check cnbc.delhi.gov.in, as these facilities may change.

Related

• How to find an Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) hospital near you
• Government health schemes in India: a guide
• Safdarjung Hospital appointment and OPD guide
• Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital 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.

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