Good Samaritan Scheme
₹5,000 cash award per life saved · road accident Good Samaritans · central govt scheme
The Good Samaritan Scheme rewards ordinary citizens who save a road accident victim's life by rushing them to a hospital within the critical Golden Hour after the accident. Each qualifying Good Samaritan receives ₹5,000 in cash credited to their bank account, plus a Certificate of Appreciation. The top 10 most deserving Good Samaritans nationwide also receive a national award of ₹1,00,000 at an annual ceremony in Delhi.
About This Scheme
The Good Samaritan Scheme rewards ordinary citizens who save a road accident victim's life by rushing them to a hospital within the critical Golden Hour after the accident. Each qualifying Good Samaritan receives ₹5,000 in cash credited to their bank account, plus a Certificate of Appreciation. The top 10 most deserving Good Samaritans nationwide also receive a national award of ₹1,00,000 at an annual ceremony in Delhi.
Full official description
Launched on 3rd Oct 2021 by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, the "Scheme for Good Samaritan" grants an award to the good samaritan who has saved the life of a victim of a fatal accident (involving a motor vehicle) by administering immediate assistance and rushing to Hospital/Trauma Care Centre within the Golden Hour of the accident to provide medical treatment. The amount of award for each Good Samaritan would be ₹ 5,000/- per incident. The scheme will remain operational till the completion of the 15th Financial Cycle, i.e. till 31st March 2026.
The objective of the scheme is to motivate the general public to help road accident victims in emergency situations and inspire and motivate others to save innocent lives.. A Good Samaritan who has informed the police of any accident involving a motor vehicle, or who has transported a victim of an accident involving a motor vehicle to the hospital, shall not be subjected to any further requirements by the police or the hospital and shall be permitted to leave immediately.
Benefits
- ₹5,000 cash award per incident (divided equally if multiple Good Samaritans helped the same victim)
- Certificate of Appreciation with every cash award
- A single individual can receive up to 5 awards per year
- Top 10 Good Samaritans selected nationally each year receive ₹1,00,000 each plus a trophy at the National Road Safety Meet in Delhi
💡 Why Startups Should Care
Not startup-relevant, but if your startup operates in road safety, EMS, or civic tech, this scheme is a real example of government incentivising bystander participation — useful context for product design.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must have actively helped save the life of a road accident victim (motor vehicle accident) by administering immediate first aid and transporting them to a hospital/trauma centre within the Golden Hour
- Must be willing to share personal details (name, mobile number, address) to receive the award — anonymous Good Samaritans are not eligible
- Government employees bound by official duty to assist are not eligible for this civilian award
How to Apply
- If you informed police first: the police will give you an acknowledgement letter on official letterhead with your details and how you helped.
- If you took the victim directly to hospital: the hospital informs the police, who then issue an acknowledgement to you.
- The police station sends the acknowledgement to the District Level Appraisal Committee (under the District Magistrate).
- The committee reviews and approves proposals monthly.
- The approved list goes to the State Transport Commissioner for payment.
- Payment is made directly to your bank account by the State Transport Department.
- National-level awards (₹1 lakh each) are selected by a MoRTH committee annually and presented during the National Road Safety Month in Delhi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is A Good Samaritan?
A Good Samaritan is a person who, in good faith, without expectation of payment or reward and without any duty of care or special relationship, voluntarily comes forward to administer immediate assistance or emergency care to a person injured in an accident, or crash, or emergency medical condition, or emergency situation.
What Is Good Samaritan Law?
The Good Samaritan Law allows a person, without expectation of payment or reward and without any duty of care or special relationship, voluntarily come forward to administer immediate assistance or emergency care to a person injured in an accident, or crash, or emergency medical condition. Good Samaritan Law protects Good Samaritans from harassment on the actions being taken by them to save the life of the road accident victims.
Why The Need For Good Samaritan Law?
India is an unfortunate victim of a large number of road crash fatalities. Three out of four people in the country are hesitant to help injured accident victims on roads due to fear of police harassment, detention at hospitals, and prolonged legal formalities. Even if someone wants to help, these factors stop them from doing so.
How Did India Get A Good Samaritan Law?
In the last ten years, road crashes have killed over 13 lakh people in India. According to the Law Commission of India, 50% of these victims died of preventable injuries and could have been saved if they had received care on time. The role of the bystander is critical in providing emergency care to the victim. Yet, in India, bystanders have been hesitant to help the injured for fear of legal repercussions and procedural hassles.
In 2012, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court of India, requesting the Hon'ble court to safeguard Good Samaritans who come forward to help the injured.
What is the Award For Each Good Samaritan?
The amount of award for each Good Samaritan would be [?] 5,000/- per incident.
Till when shall this scheme Remain Operational?
The scheme will remain operational till the completion of the 15th Financial Cycle, i.e. till 31st March 2026.
What is the Objective Of The Good Samaritan Scheme?
The objective of the scheme is to motivate the general public to help road accident victims in emergency situations and inspire and motivate others to save innocent lives..
Will the Good Samaritan be Subjected To Any Further Requirements By The Police?
A Good Samaritan who has informed the police of any accident involving a motor vehicle, or who has transported a victim of an accident involving a motor vehicle to the hospital, shall not be subjected to any further requirements by the police or the hospital and shall be permitted to leave immediately.
How many National Level Awards are granted each year For The Most Worthy Good Samaritans?
There will be 10 National Level Awards for the most worthy Good Samaritans (who will be selected from all those who have been awarded during the whole year) and they would be given an Award of [?] 1,00,000/- each.
How many times can a Good Samaritan be awarded?
An individual Good Samaritan can be awarded a maximum of 5 times a year.
Will the Good Samaritan receive a "Certification of Appreciation"?
Yes, every cash award would be accompanied by a "Certification of Appreciation".
What if More Than One Good Samaritan Saves The Life Of More Than One Victim?
If more than one Good Samaritan saves the life of more than one victim of a fatal accident involving a motor vehicle, the amount of award will be [?] 5000/- per victim saved subject to a maximum of [?] 5000/-per Good Samaritan.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Identity card
- Address proof
- Bank account details
- Police department acknowledgement/certification
- Hospital certification