Norka Care health insurance: Will NRK returnees get coverage? High Court intervention gives fresh hope

The Kerala High Court has directed Norka Roots to consider adding Non-Resident Keralite (NRK) returnees to the Norka-Care Group Health and Accident Insurance Scheme. This major move follows a petition challenging the current exclusion of Keralites who have moved back to their home state permanently.

The court observed that this issue is essentially a policy matter that should be handled by the executive authorities involved. However, the High Court maintained it would be appropriate and fair (just and proper) for Norka Roots to thoroughly examine the request.

What was the court's decision?

Justice N Nagaresh issued the directive to Norka Roots. Norka Roots has been asked to review the formal request (representation) submitted by the Pravasi Legal Cell. The High Court instructed the authority to make a final decision as quickly as possible (expeditiously). Furthermore, if Norka Roots finds it necessary, they must consult with the State Government regarding the potential inclusion of the returnees.

Who brought the issue to the High Court?

The matter was brought before the High Court by the Pravasi Legal Cell, which is an NGO dedicated to protecting the welfare of NRIs. The petition was also submitted by two individual NRKs. The NGO approached the court because, despite submitting a representation to Norka Roots earlier, no action had been taken regarding the exclusion of returnees.

Why are returnees excluded from the scheme?

The petitioners pointed out that returnee NRKs who have settled back in Kerala permanently are currently excluded from the Norka-Care scheme. In contrast, the scheme does allow enrollment for expatriate Keralites who possess Pravasi ID cards, as well as Keralites working in other Indian states who hold NRK insurance cards.

The Pravasi Legal Cell argued that excluding the returnees is unfair (arbitrary) and discriminatory, potentially violating Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. The cell also contended that these returnees are deprived of access to affordable health and accident insurance at a time when they have already lost the statutory medical cover they held during their overseas employment. The scheme itself is funded entirely by its members.

What does the Norka-Care scheme offer?

Norka-Care is a group health and accident insurance scheme created through a tripartite agreement. The parties involved in this agreement were Norka Roots, New India Assurance Company Ltd, and Mahindra Insurance Brokers Ltd.

The insurance coverage for the scheme is set to be effective from November 1, 2025 and registration has already begun. The scheme offers beneficiaries the ability to access cashless treatment in more than 12,000 hospitals throughout India, including over 600 hospitals located specifically in Kerala. 

More details of scheme is available in this link.