For Gulf Malayalis who intended to look at NORKA CARE Plus but have not yet completed enrolment, there are now only a few days left in the second-phase window.
NORKA Roots says enrolment remains open until 18 September 2026.
A new practical option has also been added: people can now obtain enrolment assistance through more than 3,000 Akshaya centres across Kerala, potentially making the process easier for families whose parents or dependants are in Kerala or who prefer in-person help.
What does NORKA CARE Plus currently offer?
NORKA CARE Plus is a health and group personal-accident insurance scheme for eligible Non-Resident Keralites.
The second-phase options range from ₹5 lakh to ₹1 crore in insurance coverage.
NORKA Roots says people enrolling in this phase receive cover for the remaining eight months of the current policy period, from 15 August 2026 to 14 April 2027, with the premium reduced proportionately because of the shorter period.
Cashless treatment is available through a network of around 24,000 hospitals across India, including more than 688 hospitals in Kerala, according to NORKA Roots.
Who can enrol?
The official enrolment information identifies people holding a valid NORKA Pravasi ID, Student ID or NRK ID as the relevant categories for the scheme.
Families should not assume that every relative can automatically be added.
One important distinction is that parents or the spouse’s parents, up to 80 years of age, can be included only with policies of ₹10 lakh or more.
The ₹5 lakh option therefore should not be selected on the assumption that it provides the same family structure as the higher plans.
What has changed with Akshaya?
Until recently, the most visible enrolment routes were the NORKA Roots website and NORKA CARE Plus mobile application.
The latest rollout adds assisted enrolment through more than 3,000 Akshaya centres across Kerala. Staff have also been given training for the enrolment process.
That may be particularly useful where an older parent in Kerala needs assistance with documents, online forms or payment rather than trying to complete the entire process independently.
What should families check before paying?
Before choosing a plan, confirm:
- the NORKA ID category and eligibility;
- the exact health and accident cover selected;
- which family members can be included;
- whether parents or in-laws are permitted under that particular slab;
- the enrolment fee for the chosen family combination;
- exclusions, limits and claim conditions;
- the current cashless-hospital network; and
- the official policy documents rather than only a social-media summary.
NORKA Roots currently publishes the enrolment-fee chart and scheme guidelines through its official portal.
MalluMetro Take
The important update is no longer simply that NORKA CARE Plus exists.
It is that the second enrolment window closes on 18 September, while families now have an additional assisted route through thousands of Akshaya centres.
For Gulf Malayalis considering the scheme, the sensible approach is not to choose the highest or cheapest option automatically.
Check who needs to be covered, compare the applicable family configuration and premium, read the policy conditions, and complete the process through an official channel before the deadline.