Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan)

The Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) is a vital direct nutritional support scheme operating under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, led by the Central TB Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The scheme provides monthly Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) cash assistance of ₹1,000 to every diagnosed and notified TB patient in India to ensure proper nutrition, rapid healing, and zero treatment dropouts.

Adequate nutrition is critical for tuberculosis recovery, as malnutrition weakens immunity and increases the risk of treatment failure. Under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, every notified TB patient (whether receiving treatment in government hospitals or private clinics) receives financial assistance deposited straight into their bank account for each month of active treatment. In addition, the initiative provides 100% free medications, advanced molecular diagnostics (CBNAAT / TrueNat), and monthly supplementary food baskets sponsored by community 'Ni-kshay Mitras'.

Detailed healthcare and nutritional benefits under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana include: 1. Regular Monthly Cash Payout: Patients receive ₹1,000 per month for the full duration of their treatment (e.g. ₹6,000 for standard 6-month treatment; ₹12,000 to ₹24,000 for longer Multi-Drug Resistant MDR-TB treatment). 2. Universal Coverage (Public & Private): Available uniformly whether a patient is treated at a Government Primary Health Centre (PHC), District Hospital, or by a private physician/nursing home (provided the case is entered on the Ni-kshay portal). 3. Elimination of Catastrophic Health Expenses: Complete waiver of testing fees, consultation charges, and medicine costs saves families up to ₹50,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenditure. 4. Additional Incentives for Tribal & Hilly Areas: Special one-time travel reimbursement of ₹750 provided to TB patients in notified tribal and difficult terrain districts to support clinic visits. 5. Active Contact Tracing & Preventive Therapy: Free screening and preventive therapy (TPT) for all household family members to halt the spread of infection.

The eligibility criteria for Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana are simple and universal: • Target Beneficiary: All diagnosed Tuberculosis (TB) patients (Drug-Sensitive TB, Drug-Resistant TB, Extra-Pulmonary TB, Pediatric TB). • Mandatory Notification: The patient must be officially notified and registered on the Central Government Ni-kshay portal (nikshay.in). • Treatment Adherence: Must be undergoing an active, prescribed anti-TB treatment regimen. • No Income Ceiling: Open to all Indian citizens regardless of income, caste, religion, or age.

Keep these simple details ready at the health center or clinic: 1. Aadhaar Card of the patient (or parent/guardian if pediatric patient). 2. First page of Bank Passbook (showing clear Account Number and IFSC Code for DBT credit). 3. Valid Mobile Number (for registration on the Ni-kshay portal and SMS updates). 4. Doctor's clinical prescription / sputum test report.

• Aadhaar Card of the patient (or guardian if minor)
• Doctor's TB Diagnosis & Notification Report on the Ni-kshay Portal
• Active Savings Bank Account Passbook (Aadhaar-seeded for DBT payments)
• Active Mobile Number for treatment adherence and DBT SMS alerts

Availing Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana is automatic upon medical diagnosis: Step 1 — Medical Diagnosis: Visit any Government Health Centre (PHC/CHC/District Hospital) or Private Clinic for sputum testing or X-ray. Step 2 — Ni-kshay Portal Notification: The treating doctor or Senior Treatment Supervisor (STS) registers your details on the national Ni-kshay portal (nikshay.in) and generates your unique Ni-kshay ID. Step 3 — Submit Bank Details: Hand over a photocopy of your Aadhaar card and bank passbook to the Health Visitor (TBHV) or clinic staff for Aadhaar-bank seeding on the portal. Step 4 — Receive Free Medicines & Monthly DBT: Collect your free monthly medicine blister packs. Your monthly ₹1,000 nutrition assistance is automatically disbursed via PFMS directly into your bank account.

The scheme operates 365 days a year nationwide. Payments are processed monthly throughout the active treatment cycle.

• Stopping medications midway without completing the full prescribed course (discontinuing drugs leads to dangerous drug-resistant MDR-TB). • Submitting an inactive or dormant bank account (causes failure of PFMS DBT payments). • Getting treated at a private clinic without ensuring the doctor notifies the case on nikshay.in (private patients must have a Ni-kshay ID to receive DBT funds). • Providing a wrong mobile number (prevents receiving automated treatment reminder calls and payment SMS alerts).

Ensure your treating health facility captures your active Aadhaar-linked savings bank account details on the Ni-kshay portal on Day 1 of treatment to avoid any payment backlog.