Safdarjung Hospital is the ultimate equalizer. It’s where the high-flying tech bro who lost his insurance and the laborer from Bihar stand in the same line, waiting for the same machine to tell them what’s wrong with their insides, and while the walls might be peeling, the technology behind them is often better than what you’d find in a glass-walled private clinic that charges you for the air you breathe. It’s 2026, and while the world is obsessed with AI doctors and virtual health, Safdarjung is still the place where a physical “slip” and a few crumpled notes can get you a life-saving scan for the price of a fancy latte in Khan Market.
You don’t go here for the luxury. You go for the subsidy.
Free Medical Tests at Safdarjung Hospital
Let’s get the best part out of the way first. If you are a “poor patient” (carrying a BPL card) or if you are wheeled into the New Emergency Block (NEB) with your life hanging by a thread, the cost of most tests is exactly zero. Nil. Nada.
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Emergency Investigations: CT scans, Ultrasounds, and X-rays performed in the Emergency wing are generally Free of Charge.
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Basic Tests: Things like plain X-rays and routine urine tests are often free for everyone, or the charge is so low (like Rs. 10 or Rs. 20) that it’s basically a rounding error in the hospital’s budget.
Common Lab Test Charges (OPD Patients)
If you aren’t an emergency case and you’re just visiting the OPD, you’ll have to pay a “user charge.” It’s not “free,” but compared to the Rs. 800 you’d pay for a Lipid Profile at a private lab, these prices feel like they’re from 1995.
| Test Name | OPD Charge (Approx) | Admitted Patient Charge |
| Lipid Profile (Blood Test) | Rs. 50 | Rs. 25 |
| Kidney Function Test (KFT) | Rs. 25 – 50 | Rs. 25 |
| Liver Function Test (LFT) | Rs. 50 – 100 | Rs. 50 |
| Blood Sugar (Fasting/PP) | Rs. 10 – 20 | Free |
| Dialysis (per session) | Rs. 250 | Rs. 250 |
| Endoscopy (GI Tract) | Rs. 500 | Rs. 200 |
Note: These rates are based on the latest Central Government approved fee structure. While some specific kits might change the price slightly, the “standard” remains incredibly low.
MRI, CT Scan, and Ultrasound Rates
This is where the real savings happen. A private MRI in Delhi can set you back Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 15,000 depending on how “premium” the clinic is. At Safdarjung, you’re looking at a fraction of that. The catch? The waiting list. You might get your scan tomorrow, or you might get it in three months—that’s the tax you pay for the low price.
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CT Scan (Head): Rs. 500 (OPD) / Rs. 1000 (Admitted)
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CT Scan (Whole Abdomen): Rs. 1000 (OPD) / Rs. 2000 (Admitted)
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MRI (Plain): Rs. 1500 – 2000 (OPD) / Rs. 3000 (Admitted)
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Ultrasound (USG): Rs. 75 – 150
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Color Doppler: Rs. 150 – 300
Specialty & Nuclear Medicine Tests
If you’re dealing with something complex like cancer or heart disease, you might need a Nuclear Medicine scan. These are the “expensive” ones, but even at their peak, they are 50% cheaper than the standard CGHS rates used by private empanelled hospitals.
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Thyroid Scan: ~Rs. 638
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Bone Scan (Three Phase): ~Rs. 1,488
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Whole Body MIBG Scan: ~Rs. 7,650 (This is one of the priciest, but still a steal).
Tips for Paying Test Fees
Dont just walk into the lab and expect to hand over cash. The system is a bit of a dance.
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Get the Doctor’s Prescription: The doctor writes the test on your OPD slip.
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Visit the Billing Counter: There are specific counters for “User Charges.” You pay there and get a receipt.
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The Fast Track: If you have an Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) card or a CGHS card, many of these “paid” tests become totally free. Make sure you carry the original card and a few photocopies—the hospital runs on paper.
The Opinionated Take: Some people complain about the “user charges” at Safdarjung, but let’s be real—where else in the world can you get a brain scan for the price of two pizzas? It’s not perfect, the queues are long enough to see the curvature of the earth, and the staff might be grumpy, but Safdarjung is the last line of defense for the Indian middle class and the poor.