In a landmark order delivered on May 26, 2026, in the case of SaveLife Foundation and Another v. Union of India, the Supreme Court of India recognized the right to trauma care as an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Addressing widespread fatalities caused by delayed emergency intervention in road accidents, a Bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar issued comprehensive binding interim directions to all States, Union Territories (UTs), and the Union of India.
Key Highlights and Directions
Universal Helpline Integration: All States and UTs must fully integrate emergency helplines (such as 100, 101, 108, 102, 1033, and 1091) into the single universal access number 112 within three months, alongside mass-media publicity.
Good Samaritan Protections: Functional physical and digital Good Samaritan Grievance Redressal Systems must be established with designated nodal authorities at State and district levels within three months to prevent the harassment of bystanders who assist accident victims.
Cashless Treatment (PM RAHAT): States and UTs that have not yet adopted the PM RAHAT Scheme (Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025) are mandated to fully operationalize it within three months, including hospital designations and on-boarding state health agencies.
Ambulance Upgrades & Tracking: All registered public and private ambulances must comply with AIS-125 standards, feature Global Positioning System (GPS) / Vehicle Location Tracking Device (VLTD) integration with helpline 112, and undergo structured periodic audits.
Paramedic Standardization: States must adopt and implement the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professionals (NCAHP)-notified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) curriculum for training personnel within three months.
Trauma Registries & Facility Grading: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will issue data format guidelines within eight weeks for States to establish synchronized Trauma Registries. Furthermore, medical facilities across public and private sectors must be graded based on trauma capacity within three months.
Directions to the State’s and Union Territories
The Supreme Court directed the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs to submit compliance action-taken reports within the specified timeframes. The matter is listed for further monitoring after four months.