OPD Appointment Guide — King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow

King George's Medical University — known to most patients as KGMU or Gandhi Memorial Hospital — is a government teaching hospital in Chowk, Lucknow that has been providing care since 1905. With more than 4,000 operational beds and over 60 departments, it handles one of the largest OPD volumes of any hospital in Uttar Pradesh, drawing patients from across the state and beyond.

Because it is a state government institution, treatment costs are heavily subsidised. The OPD registration charge is a nominal Rs 1, and patients eligible under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY or other government schemes may have inpatient treatment costs covered under those programmes. This guide explains the registration process, what to expect on arrival, the financial schemes available, and how to find the right department for your condition.

Registration and OPD fees at King George's Medical University (KGMU)

KGMU is a state government institution. All charges follow government-approved tariffs, not private hospital pricing. Confirm current charges for specific procedures at the relevant department counter or the hospital billing section before the visit.

• OPD registration (new or follow-up) — Rs 1
• Emergency department access — Free (24 hours, 7 days)
• Inpatient and surgical treatment — Government-approved rates — heavily subsidised
• Diagnostic tests (laboratory, imaging) — Nominal government charges — confirm at billing counter

Government schemes that help cover treatment at KGMU

KGMU is confirmed as empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (Uttar Pradesh). For inpatient procedures, approach the Ayushman Mitra desk inside the hospital. The PM-JAY nodal officer can be reached at 9415007710 for queries on eligibility, e-KYC verification, and treatment authorisation. The national PM-JAY helpline is 14555.

• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (Uttar Pradesh) — Up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for eligible beneficiaries
• Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana (MJAY) — Uttar Pradesh — Extends PM-JAY coverage to additional UP beneficiaries
• CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) — For central government employees and pensioners — verify current empanelment with the CGHS Lucknow office
• BPL and EWS patients — Certain services may be provided free or at further reduced cost — enquire at the Medical Social Worker (MSW) desk

Rates shown are as per the Official KGMU website and ORS national patient portal (2026) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to get an appointment at King George's Medical University (KGMU)

KGMU is linked to the national Online Registration System (ORS) at ors.gov.in, which means patients can book OPD slots online before arriving. Walk-in registration at the hospital counter is also available and widely used.

Online process: open ors.gov.in and register with your mobile number or ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) ID — one mobile number covers up to six family members. Select Uttar Pradesh, then King George's Medical University, Lucknow. Choose the relevant department, pick an available date and slot, enter patient details, and confirm. You will receive an SMS with an appointment ID; save or note it, as you will show it at the registration counter on arrival.

Walk-in process: go directly to the OPD Registration Counter at the hospital. Arrive by 8:00 AM or earlier for high-demand departments such as Cardiology, Neurology, or Oncology. The counter opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 12:00 PM. Bring a valid identity document — an Aadhaar card is widely accepted. Pay the Rs 1 registration fee, collect your token, and proceed to the relevant department.

Note: the official KGMU website (kgmu.org) was inaccessible at the time of writing. For current department schedules and online booking, use ors.gov.in. For queries, call the hospital helpline at 0522-3539333 or 0522-2258880.

How long it takes to get seen at KGMU

KGMU's OPD receives exceptionally high patient numbers — daily new-patient visits are reported to exceed 10,000. Waiting times vary considerably by department, day of the week, and whether you hold an online appointment or have joined the walk-in queue.

Patients with an ORS online appointment generally move through registration more smoothly than walk-in visitors. For walk-in patients seeking high-demand specialties — Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology — waits of several hours at the counter are realistic, and registration queues can fill before 12:00 PM. Arriving before the 8:30 AM opening is advisable for these departments.

Emergency services operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are entirely separate from the OPD queue. If a condition is urgent, proceed directly to the Emergency department rather than the general OPD counter.

What treatment costs and financial help is available at KGMU

As a state government teaching hospital, KGMU provides all outpatient and inpatient care at government-approved rates, which are substantially lower than private hospital charges. The OPD registration fee is Rs 1. Emergency care is free. Inpatient procedures and surgeries follow government tariffs — for example, major cardiac procedures at government hospitals in India are typically available at a fraction of private-sector costs.

Patients eligible under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) can receive inpatient treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year at no cost out of pocket, provided the treatment is within the scheme's covered procedures. KGMU is confirmed as empanelled under this scheme. The Uttar Pradesh government's Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana (MJAY) extends similar coverage to additional UP residents not covered by the central PM-JAY list.

Central government employees and pensioners covered under CGHS should verify KGMU's current empanelment status with the CGHS Lucknow office before the visit. BPL and economically weaker section patients should speak with the hospital's Medical Social Worker desk, which can advise on applicable concessions and required documentation.

Choosing the right department at KGMU

KGMU has more than 60 departments. Key departments available through OPD include: General Medicine, General Surgery, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat), Urology, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonary Medicine, Psychiatry, Oncology, Plastic Surgery, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Haematology, among others.

If you are unsure which department to attend, register at the General Medicine OPD first. The doctor there will examine you and issue a referral slip for the appropriate specialty department, avoiding the need to re-register and pay a second time.

• General Medicine — for undifferentiated or multi-system conditions
• Cardiology — heart conditions, chest pain, arrhythmia
• Neurology — stroke, epilepsy, headaches, movement disorders
• Orthopaedics — bone, joint, and spine problems
• Paediatrics — children up to 12–14 years
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology — pregnancy, women's health
• Oncology — cancer diagnosis and treatment
• Pulmonary Medicine — respiratory conditions, TB
• Psychiatry — mental health conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an appointment for a family member using my mobile number?

Yes. On the ORS portal (ors.gov.in), a single registered mobile number can be used to book appointments for up to six family members. Each member needs their own patient details entered when booking the individual appointment.

What documents should I bring to the KGMU OPD?

Carry a valid government-issued photo ID — an Aadhaar card is widely accepted at KGMU. Bring all previous medical records, test reports, and prescriptions related to your condition, as they help the doctor assess your history accurately. If you have an Ayushman Bharat card, carry that as well.

I have an Ayushman Bharat card. How do I use it at KGMU?

KGMU is empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme. For inpatient procedures covered under the scheme, approach the Ayushman Mitra desk at the hospital. The Ayushman Mitra or nodal officer will verify your eligibility through e-KYC, confirm which treatments are covered under your entitlement, and handle the authorisation. The PM-JAY helpline is 14555 for scheme-related queries.

The registration counter closes at 12:00 PM. What if I arrive after that?

Walk-in OPD registration closes at 12:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. Patients arriving after this time will generally not receive an OPD token for that day, except in genuine emergencies handled through the 24-hour Emergency department. Booking an appointment online via ors.gov.in the day before removes this risk entirely.

Is treatment free for patients below the poverty line?

As a state government hospital, KGMU keeps all charges at government-approved rates, substantially lower than private hospitals. BPL patients may be eligible for additional concessions or free services under applicable state and central schemes. Speak to the Medical Social Worker (MSW) desk inside the hospital to understand eligibility and the documentation required.

Are there afternoon or specialty clinics at KGMU?

Some departments run afternoon or specialty clinics on specific days of the week, in addition to the general morning OPD. Check the ORS portal (ors.gov.in) or call the KGMU helpline at 0522-3539333 for current specialty clinic schedules, as these change periodically.

Related

• Check your Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) eligibility
• CGHS rate list and how package rates work
• RML Institute of Medical Sciences Lucknow appointment and OPD guide
• Sir Sunderlal Hospital BHU 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.