DBCS Scheme — Free Eye Surgery in Uttar Pradesh

What is DBCS (Drishti Baadhit Correction Scheme)?

The Drishti Baadhit Correction Scheme, commonly known as DBCS, is a welfare programme run by the Government of Uttar Pradesh to provide free eye surgery to people who are visually impaired due to cataract and other treatable eye conditions. The scheme targets the poorest sections of society — people who need surgery but cannot afford it. Under DBCS, the UP state government pays for the entire cost of surgery, including the operation, medicines, intraocular lens (IOL), and post-operative care. The patient pays nothing.

DBCS is part of the state government's broader effort to reduce avoidable blindness across Uttar Pradesh. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in India, and it is fully curable with a short surgery. Yet lakhs of people in UP live with blindness simply because they cannot afford the operation or do not know that free treatment is available. DBCS was created to solve exactly this problem. The scheme is implemented through a network of empanelled hospitals across the state, including Indumati Netralaya in Meja, Prayagraj.

Indumati Netralaya is NABH Entry Level certified (2025) and has been serving patients since September 2024. We are empanelled under both DBCS and Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY), so patients who are eligible for either scheme can get completely free eye treatment at our hospital. We have performed over 2,500 surgeries and conducted more than 300 free eye screening camps across 300+ villages in Prayagraj, Mirzapur, and Kaushambi districts.

DBCS vs Ayushman Bharat — What's the Difference?

Many patients are confused about the difference between DBCS and Ayushman Bharat. Both schemes provide free eye treatment, but they are run by different governments and have different rules. Here is a simple comparison:

Feature	DBCS	Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY)
Run by	UP State Government	Central Government (Government of India)
Coverage	Eye surgeries only	All types of hospital treatments including eye care
Eligibility	BPL families in Uttar Pradesh	Families listed in SECC database across India
Key document	BPL card / Ration card	Ayushman Bharat Golden Card
Coverage amount	As per scheme norms	Up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year
Scope	Uttar Pradesh only	All of India

The good news is that you do not have to choose between the two. If you are eligible for both, the hospital will use the scheme that best covers your treatment. At Indumati Netralaya, our team checks your eligibility for both DBCS and Ayushman Bharat and ensures you receive free treatment through whichever scheme applies. For a detailed guide on Ayushman Bharat for eye surgery, read our blog on free cataract surgery under Ayushman Bharat.

Who is Eligible for DBCS?

The DBCS scheme is designed for economically weaker residents of Uttar Pradesh who suffer from visual impairment. The following people are generally eligible:

• BPL families — Patients who hold a valid Below Poverty Line (BPL) card issued by the UP state government
• Economically weaker sections — People from low-income households who cannot afford eye surgery on their own
• Residents of Uttar Pradesh — The scheme is available only for residents of UP. You must have a valid UP address on your Aadhaar card or ration card
• Visually impaired patients — You must have a diagnosed eye condition that is treatable with surgery, such as cataract
• Patients identified at government or empanelled hospital eye camps — Many DBCS patients are identified during free eye screening camps conducted by hospitals like Indumati Netralaya

If you are unsure whether you qualify, call us at +91 8081565880. Our staff will check your eligibility and guide you through the process. We help hundreds of patients navigate the system every month.

Documents Required for DBCS

To get free eye surgery under DBCS, you need the following documents. We recommend bringing both the original and one photocopy of each:

1. Aadhaar card — For identity verification and address proof
2. BPL card or ration card — To prove economic eligibility
3. Passport-size photograph — Two recent passport-size photos
4. Referral slip — From an eye screening camp, primary health centre (PHC), community health centre (CHC), or district hospital. If you come directly to Indumati Netralaya, our team can help you with the required referral documentation
5. Mobile number — A working mobile number registered with Aadhaar for OTP verification

Do not worry if you are missing a document. Come to Indumati Netralaya with whatever you have, and our dedicated scheme desk will help you complete the paperwork. We understand that many rural patients face difficulty in arranging documents, and we are here to help — not to turn you away.

Step-by-Step Process to Avail DBCS Benefits

Getting free eye surgery under DBCS at Indumati Netralaya is a simple process. Here is how it works, step by step:

1. Eye screening — Visit one of our free eye camps in your village or come directly to our hospital on Meja Road, Prayagraj. Our doctors will examine your eyes and determine if you need surgery
2. Eligibility check — Our scheme desk will check whether you qualify for DBCS, Ayushman Bharat, or both. Bring your Aadhaar card and BPL/ration card for this step
3. Documentation — Our staff will help you fill out the required forms and prepare all documents. We handle the paperwork so you do not have to run around
4. Pre-operative tests — Before surgery, we conduct basic health tests (blood pressure, blood sugar) and detailed eye measurements to select the right lens for your eye
5. Surgery — The cataract surgery itself takes only 15-20 minutes. It is painless and done under local anaesthesia. You do not need to stay overnight in most cases
6. Post-operative care — We provide medicines, eye drops, and a protective eye shield. You will need to visit the hospital for follow-up checkups as advised by the doctor
7. Follow-up — We schedule follow-up visits to monitor your recovery. If you come from a far village, our outreach team can coordinate follow-up at a nearby camp location

The entire process from first visit to surgery usually takes 1-2 days. Many patients come in the morning, get screened, complete paperwork, and have surgery the same day or the next morning.

What Eye Treatments Are Covered Under DBCS?

The DBCS scheme primarily covers cataract surgery, which is the most common cause of treatable blindness in Uttar Pradesh. The following treatments are generally covered:

• Cataract surgery with IOL implantation — Both Phacoemulsification (Phaco) and Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) with intraocular lens
• Post-operative medicines and eye drops — All medicines required after surgery are provided free
• Follow-up consultations — Post-surgery checkups are included at no cost
• Spectacles after surgery — Free spectacles are provided to patients who need them after cataract surgery

For other eye conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or pediatric eye problems, patients may be covered under Ayushman Bharat instead. At Indumati Netralaya, we make sure every patient gets free treatment under whichever scheme they qualify for. No eligible patient is turned away.

How Indumati Netralaya Helps DBCS Patients

At Indumati Netralaya, we go beyond just performing surgery. We understand that many DBCS-eligible patients come from remote villages and face challenges that go well beyond the medical procedure itself. Here is how we support DBCS patients at every step:

• Free eye camps in your village — We conduct 300+ camps across Prayagraj, Mirzapur, and Kaushambi districts. Our teams screen patients right at their doorstep and identify those who need surgery
• Free transport to hospital — For patients identified at camps who need surgery, we arrange free transportation from the camp location to our hospital in Meja
• Dedicated scheme desk — Our trained staff help patients with all DBCS and Ayushman Bharat paperwork, eligibility checks, and form filling
• Same-day or next-day surgery — We minimise waiting time so patients do not have to take multiple days off work or spend money on travel and lodging
• Quality care for all — Whether you are a free patient under DBCS or a paid patient, you receive the same quality of care, the same experienced surgeons, and the same modern equipment. We are NABH Entry Level certified, which means we meet national quality standards
• Post-surgery follow-up — We track every patient's recovery and coordinate follow-up visits. Our outreach team can check on patients in their villages during subsequent camp visits

Our hospital is located on Meja Road, Near HDFC Bank, Opposite D.G.S Guest House, Meja, Prayagraj 212303. We are about 40 km from Prayagraj Civil Lines. To schedule a visit or ask any questions about DBCS, call us at +91 8081565880.

Frequently Asked Questions About DBCS

1. What is the DBCS scheme in Uttar Pradesh?

DBCS stands for Drishti Baadhit Correction Scheme. It is a UP state government programme that provides free eye surgery — mainly cataract surgery — to visually impaired patients from BPL and economically weaker families. The government pays for the surgery, medicines, lens, and follow-up care.

2. Who is eligible for DBCS free eye surgery?

BPL (Below Poverty Line) families and economically weaker residents of Uttar Pradesh who have treatable visual impairment are eligible. You need a BPL card or ration card and an Aadhaar card to prove eligibility.

3. Is Indumati Netralaya empanelled under DBCS?

Yes. Indumati Netralaya in Meja, Prayagraj is empanelled under both DBCS and Ayushman Bharat. We are NABH Entry Level certified (2025) and have performed over 2,500 surgeries since September 2024.

4. What documents do I need for DBCS surgery?

You need an Aadhaar card, BPL or ration card, two passport-size photographs, and a referral from an eye camp or health centre. If you come directly to our hospital, our staff will help you with the referral documentation.

5. What is the difference between DBCS and Ayushman Bharat?

DBCS is a UP state scheme specifically for eye surgeries. Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) is a central government scheme that covers all types of hospital treatments, including eye care. Both provide free treatment, but they have different eligibility criteria. At Indumati Netralaya, we check which scheme covers you and ensure you get free treatment.

6. How much does eye surgery cost under DBCS?

Eye surgery under DBCS is completely free for eligible patients. This includes surgery, medicines, IOL, and follow-up care. For patients who do not qualify for DBCS or Ayushman Bharat, our paid packages start from Rs 4,999 — which is 50% less than most other hospitals in the region.

Areas We Serve

Indumati Netralaya serves patients from across eastern Uttar Pradesh. Our outreach teams conduct free eye camps in the following districts: