OPD Appointment at PGIMER Chandigarh: Registration, Fees, and What to Expect

PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) in Chandigarh is a central government-funded autonomous institution that provides tertiary care across more than 30 clinical specialties. The institute runs a high-volume OPD every weekday and Saturday morning, and the registration process is designed for patients arriving from across northern India — Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chandigarh itself.

For most patients, the process begins with online pre-registration through PGIMER's own portal at pgimer.edu.in, which issues a pre-registration number that is exchanged for a permanent OPD card at the hospital counter. Registration at this central government hospital carries only a nominal fee; eligible beneficiaries under PM-JAY, CGHS, and BPL provisions can access subsidised or cashless treatment across inpatient and outpatient services.

Registration and OPD fees at PGIMER Chandigarh

PGIMER is a central government institution; charges are heavily subsidised compared with private hospitals. Fee amounts should be verified at the counter or official portal, as they are subject to revision.

• New patient OPD registration (general) — Nominal fee — confirm the current amount at the registration counter or via pgimer.edu.in at time of visit
• Online pre-registration — No charge for the online pre-registration step itself
• Permanent CRNO (Central Registration Number) — Issued at first registration; used free of charge for all subsequent department visits
• BPL / economically weaker section patients — Exemptions apply on production of valid documentary proof at the counter

Government schemes that help cover treatment

• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — PGIMER is empanelled under AB PM-JAY. Eligible beneficiaries receive cashless inpatient care up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for listed procedures. As of 2024, PGIMER had treated over 1,75,676 PM-JAY beneficiaries since the scheme's launch.
• CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) — Cashless treatment is available for valid CGHS card holders — including pensioners, current central government employees, ex-MPs, former judges, and other eligible categories — without a mandatory CGHS referral. A separate Help Desk at PGIMER verifies cards and routes beneficiaries to the appropriate OPD, investigation, or inpatient ward.
• BPL patients — Patients holding valid BPL certificates are eligible for fee exemptions and subsidised treatment; original certificates must be presented at the registration counter.
• ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) — PGIMER serves as a referral centre for ECHS beneficiaries from the region; confirm current empanelment status and referral requirements with the ECHS polyclinic before visiting.

Rates shown are as per the PGIMER Chandigarh Official Portal (2026) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to get an appointment at PGIMER Chandigarh

PGIMER operates its own online pre-registration system, available at pgimer.edu.in — not through the national ORS portal (ors.gov.in). New patients should visit the Patient Login section of the portal, select 'Online Registration', and indicate that they do not yet have a Central Registration Number (CRNO). The form requires a valid mobile number, basic personal details, and the preferred date of visit. On submission, the system issues an online pre-registration number, which the patient must bring to the hospital on the chosen date.

Returning patients who already hold a CRNO can pre-register by entering their number, receiving an OTP on their registered mobile, and confirming the appointment for the chosen department. Pre-registration can be completed up to 30 days in advance; for a next-day visit, the latest booking window closes at 6:00 AM on the morning of the visit.

On the day of the visit, the patient presents the pre-registration number at the designated Online Registration Counter between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM on weekdays, or between 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Saturdays and gazetted holidays. A permanent OPD card bearing a unique CRNO is then issued to new patients. This CRNO is valid for all subsequent visits to any department at PGIMER and does not need to be renewed.

Patients who are unable to pre-register online may attend in person during the same counter hours and register directly at the walk-in counter, subject to availability. Bringing any previous medical records, reports, or OPD cards is strongly advised, especially for follow-up visits.

How long it takes to get seen

PGIMER is a high-footfall tertiary referral centre, and patients should plan their visit with that in mind. The online pre-registration system reduces time spent in the initial queue at the counter, but it does not allocate a specific doctor or a fixed consultation time. After completing registration at the counter, patients wait in the department's own queue to be seen by the consulting doctor.

Arriving close to the 8:00 AM counter-opening time — or earlier, as queues often form before the counters open — reduces waiting time considerably. High-demand departments such as Cardiology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery typically see a larger volume of referral patients and may involve a longer wait on the day. Patients coming from outside Chandigarh should plan for a full day, and in some specialties, investigations ordered on the first visit may require returning on a subsequent date for the consultation itself.

Patients attending special clinics (for example, Plastic Surgery's special clinics) are advised to arrive at least 15 minutes before the clinic's scheduled start time.

What treatment costs and financial help

PGIMER is funded by the central government and operates on a heavily subsidised model. Investigations, medicines from the hospital pharmacy, and most inpatient procedures are charged at government rates, which are substantially lower than private hospital rates. Patients should expect to pay nominal fees at various stages — registration, diagnostics, bed charges — but these are a fraction of private-sector equivalents.

PM-JAY beneficiaries can access cashless inpatient care by presenting their Ayushman card at the time of admission. PGIMER has an Ayushman Mitra desk to assist with verification and admission paperwork. The scheme covers a defined list of procedures up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year; OPD consultation itself is not covered under PM-JAY, but inpatient care following an OPD referral is.

CGHS card holders receive cashless treatment across OPD, investigations, and inpatient wards without needing a prior CGHS referral. They must present a valid CGHS Beneficiary ID Card at the Help Desk on arrival. Medicines prescribed at PGIMER for OPD treatment are collected through CGHS pharmacies rather than directly from PGIMER.

BPL patients should carry their original BPL certificate to the registration counter to claim applicable exemptions. Patients who do not carry documentation will be charged the standard rate.

Key departments at PGIMER Chandigarh

PGIMER's OPD schedule covers more than 30 clinical departments. These include: Cardiology; Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery; Neurology; Neurosurgery; Nephrology; Renal Transplant Surgery; Gastroenterology; Hepatology; GI Surgery, HPB and Liver Transplantation; Endocrinology; Internal Medicine; General Surgery; Orthopaedics; Paediatric Medicine; Paediatric Surgery; Paediatric Orthopaedics; Ophthalmology; Otolaryngology (ENT); Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology; Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Pulmonary Medicine; Psychiatry; Plastic Surgery; Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; Radiotherapy and Oncology; Clinical Haematology and Medical Oncology; Nuclear Medicine; Urology; Oral Health Sciences (Dental); Drug De-addiction and Treatment Centre; Anaesthesia; and Transfusion Medicine (Blood Bank).

The OPD schedule for each department — including which days and times each specialty clinic runs — is published on the PGIMER patient care portal and should be checked before the visit to confirm the relevant clinic is operating on the chosen date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PGIMER Chandigarh use the national ORS portal (ors.gov.in) for appointments?

No. PGIMER operates its own pre-registration portal at pgimer.edu.in. Patients should register directly through the PGIMER portal and not through the central government ORS system, which is used by AIIMS and some other central institutions.

Can I walk in without pre-registering online?

Yes. Walk-in registration at the counter is available during OPD registration hours — 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM on weekdays, and 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM on Saturdays and gazetted holidays. However, online pre-registration is recommended because it reduces the time spent queuing at the counter and ensures your details are already on record before you arrive.

Is my CRNO (Central Registration Number) permanent, and do I need to register again on follow-up visits?

Yes, the CRNO issued at first registration is permanent. It is valid for all departments at PGIMER and for all future visits. Returning patients use their CRNO to pre-register online for follow-up appointments without going through the full new-patient process again.

Do PM-JAY Ayushman card holders get free OPD consultation at PGIMER?

PM-JAY covers inpatient hospitalisation for listed procedures, not OPD consultations. The OPD registration fee is payable at the counter regardless of PM-JAY status. Once a treating doctor refers a PM-JAY beneficiary for admission, cashless inpatient care kicks in. Patients should bring their Ayushman card and visit the Ayushman Mitra desk at the hospital for assistance.

Do CGHS beneficiaries need a referral before visiting PGIMER?

No mandatory CGHS referral is required to access treatment at PGIMER for CGHS beneficiaries. Patients should bring a valid CGHS Beneficiary ID Card, present it at the CGHS Help Desk at PGIMER on arrival, and they will be directed to the appropriate OPD or service. Treatment is provided on a cashless basis, and bills are settled directly between PGIMER and CGHS.

What documents should I bring for my first OPD visit?

Bring a valid photo ID (Aadhaar card is widely accepted), your mobile number (needed for OTP during online pre-registration), any previous medical records or reports relevant to your condition, and — if applicable — your CGHS card, Ayushman card, or BPL certificate. Previous OPD cards from PGIMER, if any, should also be brought.

Related

• Government health schemes in India: a guide
• Check your Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) eligibility
• Government Medical College and Hospital Chandigarh 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

• OPD Appointment Guide: Government Medical College and Hospital Chandigarh (Sector 32)
• OPD Appointment Guide: Sir Sunderlal Hospital BHU, Varanasi
• AIIMS Bilaspur OPD Appointment Guide: Registration, Fees, and Schemes