National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS)
24x7 toll-free national tele-mental health helpline (14416) providing free psychological counseling in 20+ languages covering eligible citizens across India.
₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown
📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach
Central Sector Scheme allocation under National Mental Health Programme
Official Budget Document ↗Over 15 Lakh distress mental health counseling calls handled nationwide
As of: 2026-01-31PIB / Official Citation ↗Verified Eligibility Criteria
Any individual experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, exam pressure, trauma, or emotional distress across India.
Required Documents Checklist
Verify readiness before applying for National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS). Check off your papers or print this list before visiting your local CSC / Cyber Cafe.
Supporting / Optional Documents(1)
Keep self-attested photocopies and clear digital scans (100 KB – 200 KB, PDF/JPG format) ready to avoid portal upload timeouts.
Worried About Application Rejection for National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS)?
Over 30% of applications on official portals get delayed or rejected due to minor certificate authority mismatches or unseeded bank accounts. Our civic research desk compiles a verified 1-page Scheme Blueprint tailored to your state and profile.
- ✓Valid issuing authority rules (Tehsildar/SDM)
- ✓Aadhaar-DBT bank seeding verification
- ✓Direct official portal guide (no middlemen)
- ✓Email delivery in 1–2 hrs during desk hours
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Application Effort & Process Friction
Readiness assessment derived from official prerequisites, mandatory documentation, and submission channels.
Effort scores reflect portal accessibility, mandatory document burden, and physical verification requirements.
How to Apply
- 1
Dial toll-free national helpline 14416 or 1800-891-4416 from any mobile or landline phone.
- 2
Select preferred language from the automated voice prompt.
- 3
Connected to a trained clinical psychologist / counselor at the nearest state Tele-MANAS cell.
- 4
Immediate psychological counseling and risk assessment conducted.
- 5
In complex psychiatric emergencies, call escalated to a consultant psychiatrist for video consultation or referral to nearest civil hospital.
✅Before You Begin — Pre-Application Checklist
⚠️Common Rejection Reasons — Avoid These
Universal crisis helpline with zero caller rejection or eligibility barrier.
Official Government Application Portal
You will be redirected to the secure official portal: telemanas.mohfw.gov.in
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Get Scheme Blueprint (₹49)→Expert Application Tips & Practical Advice
Field-tested recommendations from administrative grievance circulars to avoid rejections and processing stalls.
Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)
Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.
What is the toll-free number for Tele-MANAS?
The short code is 14416 and the toll-free number is 1800-891-4416, accessible 24x7 from anywhere in India.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Which apex medical institute is the nodal mentoring centre for Tele-MANAS?
NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences), Bengaluru acts as the apex nodal centre, with technical support from IIIT-Bangalore.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Is counseling confidential?
Yes, all consultations and caller information are kept strictly confidential under statutory medical privacy standards.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Who is eligible to apply for National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS)?
Eligible applicants must satisfy official government criteria for National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS). Conditions: Any individual experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, exam pressure, trauma, or emotional distress across India..
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Can I track my National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS) application status?
Application status for National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS) can typically be tracked through the official portal at telemanas.mohfw.gov.in using your Aadhaar number, application reference number, or registered mobile number. Alternatively, contact the scheme helpline or visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).
What should I do if my National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS) payment is delayed or rejected?
First, verify your Aadhaar-bank account seeding status on the NPCI mapper (npci.org.in). If seeding is confirmed and payment is still pending, register a complaint on the Central Public Grievance Redressal System at pgportal.gov.in. You may also file an RTI application at rtionline.gov.in to obtain official rejection reasons within 30 days.
Is there an income tax implication for receiving National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS) benefits?
Agricultural income and certain welfare subsidies may be exempt from income tax under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Tax treatment varies by scheme type and beneficiary income level. Consult a certified tax practitioner or visit incometax.gov.in for scheme-specific tax guidance.
Common Rejection Reasons & Warnings
Universal crisis helpline with zero caller rejection or eligibility barrier.
Editorial Verification & Change Log
| Date | Field | Description / Update | Source Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-18 | scheme_type | cs | Official Source ↗ |
| 2026-10-06 | short_description | 24x7 toll-free national tele-mental health helpline (14416) providing free psychological counseling in 20+ languages covering eligible citizens across India. | Official Source ↗ |
| 2026-09-20 | initial_verification | Baseline verification of Tele-MANAS 14416 helpline, NIMHANS apex coordination, and multi-tier mental health referral protocol. | Official Source ↗ |
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Application Window & Deadlines
Continuous 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
🛟Grievance & RTI Channels
Scheme Intelligence
How is this calculated? ↗Verified 30d ago from official source
Requires documentation or office visit
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📅Scheme Milestone Timeline
24x7 toll-free national tele-mental health helpline (14416) providing free psych...
Official Source ↗Baseline verification of Tele-MANAS 14416 helpline, NIMHANS apex coordination, a...
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Official Helpline & Nodal Offices
Tele-MANAS Apex Coordinating Centre, NIMHANS
Hosur Road, Lakkasandra, Wilson Garden, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560029
Helpline: 080-26995000
Jurisdiction: National (All-India)Notice a Discrepancy?
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Verification Metadata
Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-09-20 against official government documentation.
Eligo is an independent information platform unaffiliated with any government body. Always confirm latest terms directly on the official portal.