OPD Appointment at Patna Medical College & Hospital (PMCH), Patna: A Patient Guide

Patna Medical College & Hospital (PMCH) is a Bihar state government hospital and medical college on Ashok Rajpath, on the southern bank of the Ganges in Patna. Formally inaugurated in 1925 as the Prince of Wales Medical College — with roots tracing back to the Temple Medical School of 1874 — PMCH is one of India's oldest medical colleges. It now operates as one of the largest government hospitals in Bihar, with more than 1,748 beds plus a separate 220-bed emergency block (the Indira Gandhi Centre for Emergency, or IGCE), and sees a very high volume of outpatients every day across dozens of clinical and super-specialty departments.

Because PMCH is a state government hospital rather than a central-government facility, OPD registration is handled through the hospital's own computerised registration centre rather than a national online portal. Timings, the categories of patients seen on a given day, and the government schemes that apply differ from central-government hospitals such as those in Delhi. This guide sets out what is confirmed from the hospital's official citizen charter and other government sources, and flags where a patient should verify details directly at the hospital before visiting.

OPD registration and hospital charges at PMCH

PMCH's published citizen charter does not list a rupee figure for the general OPD registration fee or for most diagnostic and admission charges. Confirm current amounts at the computerised registration centre or billing counter on the day of your visit.

• OPD registration fee — Not published on the hospital's official citizen charter. Patients register at the computerised registration centre; ask the counter staff for the current fee at the time of registration.
• General OPD timing — 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, for General OPD, Paediatrics OPD, Obstetrics & Gynaecology OPD, and the Preventive Clinic.
• Evening specialty OPDs — 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM for selected specialties: Nephrology (Tuesday and Thursday), Neurology (Wednesday), Endocrinology (Thursday), and Geriatrics (Monday to Friday).
• Emergency registration — Free of charge for patients brought in as emergencies, per the hospital's citizen charter.
• Immunisation services — Provided free of cost, per the hospital's citizen charter.
• Private cottage ward — Rs 500 per day, as listed in the hospital's citizen charter, for patients who opt for a private cottage ward instead of a general ward.
• Diagnostic tests and other admission charges — Not itemised in the published citizen charter. As a government hospital, rates are set by the Bihar health department and are far below comparable private-sector costs; confirm current charges at the billing counter or hospital administration office.

Government health schemes that may help with costs

• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY provides eligible families cashless hospitalisation cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year at empanelled hospitals nationwide. In Bihar, the scheme is implemented by the Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti (BISWASS), which reports roughly 1.21 crore entitled families and about 5.5 crore beneficiaries statewide. As a major government hospital, PMCH is part of the public-hospital network through which the state delivers PM-JAY care; confirm which packages and departments are currently covered at the hospital's PM-JAY help desk, or check empanelment at hospitals.pmjay.gov.in.
• CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) — Patna has CGHS Wellness Centres that serve central government employees and pensioners living in the city, providing OPD medicines and referrals to CGHS-empanelled facilities. PMCH's own citizen charter does not list any CGHS-specific arrangement, so — unlike a central-government hospital in Delhi — CGHS beneficiaries should not assume PMCH is a CGHS-empanelled treatment centre; check with your local CGHS Wellness Centre for the current list of empanelled hospitals in Patna before planning treatment.
• Bihar state health-cover scheme for households outside PM-JAY — Bihar has also been reported to run a state-funded scheme (referred to in some sources as the 'Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana' or 'Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan') intended for households that meet deprivation criteria but are not covered under national PM-JAY. A consistent official description of the current scheme's launch date, coverage, and enrolment process was not found on Bihar government pages at the time of writing. Ask at the hospital's PM-JAY/BISWASS help desk, or check biswass.bihar.gov.in, before relying on this scheme.
• Chief Minister's Medical Relief Fund (CMMRF) — The Chief Minister's Medical Relief Fund, administered by the Bihar government through Bihar Bhawan in New Delhi, provides financial assistance to Bihar residents with annual family income below Rs 2.5 lakh for treatment of certain serious ailments at CGHS-empanelled hospitals. It is most commonly used to support patients referred for treatment outside Bihar rather than for routine OPD care at PMCH itself. Applications can be made at Bihar Bhawan, New Delhi, or via the Bihar government's Jigyasa helpline (0612-2233333) and WhatsApp helpline (+91 8527595623).

Rates shown are as per the Citizen Charter, Patna Medical College & Hospital (PMCH), Patna (2026) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to get an appointment at PMCH

PMCH does not operate a national online booking portal of the kind used by some central-government hospitals. According to the hospital's citizen charter, OPD appointments are handled at the hospital's computerised registration centre — meaning patients register in person rather than booking a specific time slot online.

To register, arrive at the OPD registration centre during OPD hours (8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, for General OPD, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and the Preventive Clinic). Carry a government-issued photo ID and, for follow-up visits, your previous prescription and any investigation reports. Registration staff will direct you to the appropriate department counter based on your complaint.

A small number of specialties run a second, evening OPD session from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM: Nephrology on Tuesday and Thursday, Neurology on Wednesday, Endocrinology on Thursday, and Geriatrics Monday to Friday. These sessions can help patients who cannot attend the morning general OPD window — confirm current department-wise scheduling with the hospital before travelling, since clinic days can change.

For genuine emergencies, patients are seen at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Emergency (IGCE), a separate 220-bed emergency block; emergency registration is free of charge.

How long it takes to get seen

PMCH is among the busiest government hospitals in India, handling a very large daily outpatient volume across its OPD building. As with most high-volume government hospitals, the number of patients registered on a given day is effectively capped by counter hours, so arriving close to the 8:30 AM opening improves a patient's chances of being seen the same day, particularly in high-demand departments such as Medicine, Surgery, and Orthopaedics.

Waiting time between registration and the actual consultation can extend to a few hours on busy days, especially during general OPD sessions serving multiple departments from a shared registration flow. The evening specialty clinics (Nephrology, Neurology, Endocrinology, Geriatrics) tend to see fewer walk-in patients than the morning general OPD, which can mean a shorter wait for those specific departments.

For a condition that needs a specific super-specialty department — such as Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nuclear Medicine, or Transplant Surgery — it is often more efficient to first register at the relevant broad department (Medicine or Surgery) so the consulting doctor can make a formal referral, since not every super-specialty runs a general walk-in OPD every day.

What treatment costs and financial help

As a Bihar state government hospital, PMCH's charges are set by the state health department rather than by the hospital itself, and are far below private-sector rates. The citizen charter confirms that emergency registration and immunisation services are free of cost, and that a private cottage ward (for patients who opt out of the general ward) costs Rs 500 per day. The hospital's published materials do not include a full rate list for OPD registration, diagnostics, or surgical procedures — confirm current charges at the registration and billing counters before your visit.

Patients covered under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY can access cashless hospitalisation of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year at empanelled government hospitals in Bihar, coordinated through the Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti (BISWASS). A separate Bihar scheme aimed at households not covered by PM-JAY has also been reported, though official documentation is limited; ask at the hospital's PM-JAY desk for the current status.

CGHS applies differently here than at a central-government hospital: Patna has CGHS Wellness Centres for central government employees and pensioners, but PMCH itself is not confirmed as a CGHS-empanelled treatment hospital, so CGHS beneficiaries should check with their Wellness Centre first. Bihar residents with annual family income below Rs 2.5 lakh who need treatment for a serious illness — including cases referred outside the state — may also be able to apply for support through the Chief Minister's Medical Relief Fund via Bihar Bhawan, New Delhi.

Key departments at PMCH

PMCH runs OPD and inpatient services across a wide range of clinical departments, reflecting its role as one of Bihar's major teaching and tertiary-care hospitals. Departments listed on the medical college's official site include:

This range includes both general OPD departments (Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, ENT, Eye, Skin & V.D., Psychiatry) and tertiary and super-specialty services (Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology, Neuro Surgery, Medical Oncology, Radiotherapy, Surgical Oncology, Transplant Surgery, and Nuclear Medicine), along with a dedicated Emergency Medicine department and the separate IGCE emergency block. Patients unsure which department to approach for a new complaint should register at the general Medicine or Surgery OPD first; the consulting doctor can refer them to the relevant specialty department if needed.

• Anaesthesia
• Cardiology
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Critical Care Medicine
• E.N.T.
• Emergency Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Eye
• Gastroenterology
• Geriatrics
• Gynaecological Oncology
• Haematology
• Medical Oncology
• Medicine
• Neonatology
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Neuro Surgery
• Nuclear Medicine
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Orthopaedics
• Paediatric Surgery
• Paediatrics
• Plastic Surgery
• Psychiatry
• Radiology
• Radiotherapy
• Skin & V.D.
• Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• T.B. & Chest
• Transplant Surgery
• Urology

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an OPD appointment at PMCH online, or do I have to walk in?

PMCH's citizen charter states that OPD appointments are handled at the hospital's computerised registration centre, and no separate national online booking portal is listed on the hospital's or medical college's official pages. In practice, this means registering in person at the OPD registration centre during OPD hours (8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday to Saturday). Calling the hospital's control room (0612-2300080 / 0612-2300177) before your visit is a reasonable way to confirm current procedure for your department.

What are PMCH's OPD timings?

General OPD, Paediatrics OPD, Obstetrics & Gynaecology OPD, and the Preventive Clinic run from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. A small number of specialties also run an evening OPD from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM: Nephrology (Tuesday, Thursday), Neurology (Wednesday), Endocrinology (Thursday), and Geriatrics (Monday to Friday).

Is there a fee for OPD registration at PMCH?

The hospital's published citizen charter does not list a specific rupee amount for OPD registration. Emergency registration and immunisation services are explicitly stated to be free of cost. For routine OPD registration, confirm the current fee at the registration counter when you visit.

Does PMCH accept Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) cards?

Bihar implements Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY through the Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti (BISWASS), which covers about 5.5 crore beneficiaries statewide with cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year at empanelled hospitals. As a major state government hospital, PMCH participates in the public-hospital network that delivers this cover; ask at the hospital's PM-JAY help desk, or check hospitals.pmjay.gov.in, to confirm which specific departments and packages are currently covered.

Is CGHS applicable at PMCH?

Patna has CGHS Wellness Centres serving central government employees and pensioners, but PMCH — a Bihar state government hospital rather than a central-government facility — is not confirmed as a CGHS-empanelled treatment hospital. CGHS beneficiaries in Patna should check with their local Wellness Centre for the current list of empanelled hospitals before relying on CGHS cover for treatment at PMCH.

What if I can't afford treatment and don't have a scheme card?

Bihar residents with an annual family income below Rs 2.5 lakh may be able to apply for assistance for serious illnesses through the Chief Minister's Medical Relief Fund (CMMRF), administered via Bihar Bhawan in New Delhi (Jigyasa helpline: 0612-2233333; WhatsApp: +91 8527595623). This fund is generally used to support patients referred for treatment at CGHS-empanelled hospitals, including outside Bihar, rather than routine OPD visits at PMCH. For local financial-hardship queries, ask the hospital administration office about any hospital-level relief measures available.

Related

• How to find an Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) hospital near you
• Government health schemes in India: a guide
• CGHS vs Ayushman Bharat: what's the difference
• Treatment cost in India: a complete 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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• OPD Appointment at Government Medical College Anantnag: A Patient Guide
• OPD Appointment at Balrampur Hospital, Lucknow: A Patient Guide
• OPD Appointment at Sadar Hospital, Nawada: A Patient Guide