Guru Nanak Eye Centre (GNEC) Delhi — OPD Appointment Guide for Patients

Guru Nanak Eye Centre (GNEC) is a dedicated ophthalmology institute run by the Government of NCT of Delhi, located at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Marg, New Delhi — 110002, near Ram Lila Grounds and New Delhi Railway Station. Affiliated with Maulana Azad Medical College, GNEC has been providing comprehensive eye care to residents of Delhi, the NCR, and neighbouring states since its OPD block opened in 1977. The centre has over 212 beds, six ophthalmic units, and 24–28 ophthalmologists working in the OPD on any given day.

All OPD consultations, investigations, medicines dispensed from the hospital pharmacy, and most surgical procedures — including cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation — are provided free of charge to patients. Superspeciality clinic services are also free, with the exception of refractive surgery. There is no consultation fee to pay at the counter.

Registration and OPD fees at Guru Nanak Eye Centre

All figures are based on information published on the official GNEC website. Fees are subject to revision; verify at the hospital counter or official portal before your visit.

• OPD registration fee — Free of charge — no registration fee is levied
• OPD consultation — Free for all patients
• Investigations (OCT, visual fields, ultrasound, etc.) — Free at the hospital investigation lab
• Medicines from hospital pharmacy — Free
• Cataract surgery with IOL implantation — Free (performed under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment)
• Vitreoretinal and other surgeries — Free (confirm at the treating unit for specific procedures)
• Refractive surgery (LASIK / PRK) — Charged separately — confirm the current fee at the refractive surgery unit

Government schemes that help cover treatment

• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — Up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for listed procedures; Delhi joined the scheme in April 2025. Eye surgeries including cataract, glaucoma, and retina procedures are covered. Verify empanelment at hospitals.pmjay.gov.in
• Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) — Up to Rs 5 lakh per patient for any illness/intervention in a Delhi or Central Government hospital. Eligibility: Delhi resident for 3+ years with annual family income up to Rs 3 lakh. Treatment is cashless — cost is settled directly with the hospital.
• Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) — Covers central government employees, pensioners, and their dependants. GNEC is a Delhi Government hospital; CGHS beneficiaries should confirm the referral and claim process at the hospital's help desk.
• National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) — Free cataract surgery and other eye procedures for eligible patients, including BPL cardholders and those identified in screening camps
• BPL / EWS exemption — Patients holding a valid BPL or EWS card are entitled to free treatment across all services at Delhi Government hospitals

Rates shown are as per the Guru Nanak Eye Centre — Official Website (gnec.delhi.gov.in) (2026) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to get an appointment at Guru Nanak Eye Centre

There are two ways to register for an OPD visit at GNEC: walk-in registration at the hospital counter, or online registration through the Delhi State Health Mission portal at dshm.delhi.gov.in. Both routes are available; the online option allows patients to choose a hospital, select a subspecialty, and book a date and time slot in advance, which can reduce time spent waiting at the registration desk on the day of visit.

For walk-in registration, patients should arrive at the hospital between 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM on weekdays (Monday to Friday) or between 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM on Saturday. The hospital is closed on Sundays and gazetted public holidays. A dedicated counter is available for senior citizens, freedom fighters, and persons with physical disabilities so that these patients do not have to join the general queue. Carry a valid photo identity document — an Aadhaar card is the most widely accepted — along with your mobile number. For online appointments, register on dshm.delhi.gov.in, select Guru Nanak Eye Centre and the relevant subspecialty, pick a date, and bring a printed or digital copy of the confirmation slip to the hospital between 9:00 AM and 12:00 noon on the appointed day.

Emergency eye care is available round the clock, seven days a week, regardless of OPD registration timings.

How long it takes to get seen

GNEC is a high-volume public hospital. The OPD runs ten consultation cabins simultaneously with 24 to 28 ophthalmologists present each day, and it serves well over one lakh patients annually. Because of this demand, walk-in patients — particularly those arriving later in the registration window — can expect a wait of one to several hours before seeing a doctor. Patients who book online and arrive early in the morning generally spend less time waiting.

Patients referred for investigations (such as optical coherence tomography, visual fields, or ultrasound) may need additional time on the same day or a follow-up appointment on a subsequent date. For surgical procedures following an OPD diagnosis, the wait depends on surgical availability and the urgency of the condition; patients should discuss the expected timeline directly with their treating ophthalmologist at GNEC.

What treatment costs and financial help is available

Because GNEC is a Delhi Government hospital, all routine OPD services — registration, consultation, in-house investigations, and medicines — are provided free of cost. Surgical procedures including cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation, glaucoma surgery, vitreoretinal operations, and squint and paediatric eye surgeries are performed free of charge.

Patients who need financial assistance for treatment beyond what the hospital provides directly can apply to the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK), which offers up to Rs 5 lakh in cashless assistance for residents of Delhi with a family income below Rs 3 lakh per year. The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme, which Delhi began rolling out in April 2025, covers eligible beneficiaries for up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for a wide range of listed procedures including eye surgeries. Central government employees and pensioners may use CGHS; defence personnel and veterans may use ECHS. BPL cardholders and those identified under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment are entitled to free cataract and other eye surgeries. Patients should carry their scheme card or BPL documentation to the hospital to avail of the relevant benefit.

Key departments and superspeciality clinics

GNEC is exclusively an ophthalmology institute. Its superspeciality clinics cover the full range of eye conditions: the Retina Clinic handles diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, age-related macular degeneration, vascular occlusion, uveitis, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, and retinopathy of prematurity, among others, with vitreoretinal surgery also performed here. The Cornea Clinic manages corneal and ocular surface disorders. The Glaucoma service addresses all forms of glaucoma with dedicated diagnostic equipment. The Paediatric Ophthalmology Clinic treats congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma, strabismus, lacrimal disorders, retinoblastoma, and other childhood eye conditions with age-appropriate equipment. The Neuro-ophthalmology Clinic runs on Thursdays and covers optic neuritis, traumatic optic neuropathy, and related conditions. The Oculoplasty service deals with eyelid, lacrimal, and orbital disorders. A Contact Lens Clinic prescribes soft, rigid gas-permeable, and prosthetic lenses. The Squint Clinic and general OPD handle refractive errors and common eye conditions.

The investigation laboratory is equipped with anterior and posterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT), ultra-biomicroscopy, B-scan ultrasound, visual field analysers, specular microscopy, biometry, Orbscan, visually evoked potential, and electroretinography machines, among other instruments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral letter to visit Guru Nanak Eye Centre?

No formal referral is required for a walk-in OPD visit. Any patient can register directly at the hospital counter during OPD hours. However, patients applying for financial assistance under schemes such as the Delhi Arogya Kosh or seeking CGHS reimbursement may need a referral from their primary doctor or CGHS wellness centre — check the respective scheme's requirements before your visit.

Is there an online appointment system for GNEC?

Yes. The Delhi State Health Mission operates an online OPD registration portal at dshm.delhi.gov.in that covers multiple Delhi government hospitals including GNEC. Register once with your name, mobile number, and address, then log in to book a date and subspecialty slot. Print or save the confirmation slip and bring it to the hospital between 9:00 AM and 12:00 noon on the scheduled date. The portal caps the number of online slots per facility each day, so booking early is advisable.

What documents should I bring for registration?

Carry a valid photo identity document (Aadhaar is widely accepted), your mobile number, and any previous prescription or medical records relevant to your eye condition. If you are a scheme beneficiary — PM-JAY, CGHS, ECHS, or DAK — bring your scheme card or beneficiary document. BPL cardholders should carry the BPL ration card to access free surgical services under the applicable programme.

Are cataract surgeries really free at GNEC, and how is the surgery scheduled?

Cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation is performed free of charge at GNEC, including implant cost and medicines dispensed from the hospital pharmacy. After your OPD consultation, the treating ophthalmologist will assess whether surgery is indicated and advise on pre-operative investigations. The date of surgery is then scheduled based on clinical priority and theatre availability. Patients should confirm the current waiting period for elective cataract surgery with the treating team at the time of their OPD visit.

What is the emergency eye care arrangement at GNEC?

Emergency ophthalmic services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, independent of regular OPD hours. Patients with acute eye trauma, sudden loss of vision, or other eye emergencies can present to the emergency department at any time.

Related

• Government health schemes in India: a guide
• Check your Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) eligibility
• 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.

Related reading

• Getting an OPD Appointment at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar (GMC Amritsar)
• GTB Hospital OPD Guide: Appointments, Timings, Fees & Schemes
• OPD Appointment at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi: A Patient Guide