Central government married female employees covered under the Contributory Health Service Scheme (CHSS) get a one-time option to include either parents or parents-in-law as CHSS beneficiaries. But if she gets a divorce from her spouse, will her biological parents still be eligible for inclusion under the CHSS? This was the clarification that many married female employees sought from the central government’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).In its reply, the DAE said that as per the ‘explanation’ below Rule 4(C) of CHSS Rules 1998, the one-time option to include either parents or parents-in-law as a CHSS beneficiary is available to a married female employee.After divorce, she is no longer married and therefore, the ‘explanation’ below Rule 4(C) is not applicable altogether, says the DAE.However, the DAE further clarified that Rule 4(C) is applicable in respect of the parents of divorced female employees too.“Her parents become dependent if all other criteria of dependency under Rule 4(C) are fulfilled by them. Accordingly, it is clarified that after the divorce of a government female employee, her biological parents shall be eligible for inclusion under the CHSS, provided all the dependency conditions for parents, as per extant CHSS rules are fulfilled,” says the Department in its clarification.Guidelines on CHSS facilities to mentally challenged/physically disabled dependent children beyond 25 years of ageIn another clarification, the Department of Atomic Energy invited reference to an official order dated July 3, 2026, regarding guidelines issued for the grant of CHSS facilities to mentally challenged/physically disabled dependent children beyond 25 years of age.Clarifying the conditions related to CHSS facilities to mentally challenged/physically disabled dependent children beyond 25 years of age, the DAE says that in partial modification to the above OM, Para 3 of the said OM shall be read as below. Nature & stage of disability Time period for extension of CHSS cards (at a time) Physical disability – 40% to 90% 5 years Physical disability – 90% and above Lifetime Mental/Intellectual disability – 40% to 50% 5 years Mental/Intellectual disability – 50% and above Lifetime What is the Contributory Health Service Scheme (CHSS)?The Contributory Health Service Scheme (CHSS) is a medical welfare programme used by the central government's many public sector organisations, research institutes, and departments such as the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and premier academic/research campuses.The CHSS provides comprehensive in-patient and out-patient medical care to employees, students and their dependents.How is CHSS different from the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)? The CGHS is a broad-based health programme for all eligible central government employees and pensioners across India. The scheme, run by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, covers the largest number of central government employees and pensioners across India at empanelled and non-empanelled hospitals.On the other hand, the CHSS is a specialised, in-house medical scheme operated by specific independent departments such as the DAE, ISRO and the VSSC.