Chennai: government and private prices for a plain (non-contrast) MRI of one region, such as the brain, with the source and last-checked date for every figure.
Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000
Rs 2,500 at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (TNMSC MRI centre)
Rs 2,500 at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (TNMSC MRI centre) (published tariff)
3 October 2026
MRI Scan price in Chennai: government vs private
Prices are for a plain (non-contrast) MRI of one region, such as the brain. Government hospitals charge less but usually have waiting lists. Where a hospital does not publish its rate we say so, and any estimate is labelled.
| Where | Price | What it includes | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (TNMSC MRI centre) Lowest listed price Subsidised, longer wait Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation rate at government hospital scan centres. Plain + contrast: Rs 4,000 (published tariff). |
Rs 2,500 | Not stated | Published tariff TNMSC – Support Services: CT / MRI scan centres user charges |
| Tata 1mg Labs partner centre: MRI Brain (MRI) Lowest online price across the platform’s partner centres in Chennai. |
From Rs 2,813 | Not itemised on page (no mention of contrast, film or CD); e-report to registered email | Published tariff Tata 1mg Labs (1mg.com) |
| Healthians partner scan centre: Brain MRI Scan Lowest online price across the platform’s partner centres in Chennai. |
From Rs 3,325 | Not itemised (contrast/film not stated); booking at a Healthians partner scan centre of the user's choice | Published tariff Healthians (healthians.com scans) |
| Private hospitals and diagnostic centres in Chennai (typical) Our estimate; not a quote from any hospital. Basis: Previous modelled range kept: internally consistent and contains the 2 published or quoted private prices we found for this test in Chennai. |
Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000 | Base procedure; items listed under "what a quote leaves out" are extra | Estimate WhatsTheCost estimate |
| CGHS rate: Tier I city, NABH hospital Reference rate MRI head/brain without contrast. Rate CGHS pays empanelled private hospitals, not a cash price. Non-NABH hospitals: Rs 2,338 (published tariff). |
Rs 2,750 | Investigation rate; uniform irrespective of ward entitlement. Plain study (no contrast). | Published tariff CGHS rate list (OM dated 03.10.2025), cghs.mohfw.gov.in |
MRI Scan cost in Chennai by type
Our estimates by type of MRI scan in Chennai. These are modelled ranges, not quotes.
| Type | Private price in Chennai | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Brain MRI (without contrast) | Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000 | Estimate |
| Brain MRI (with contrast) | Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000 | Estimate |
| Spine MRI (per region: cervical/thoracic/lumbar) | Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000 | Estimate |
| Knee MRI | Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000 | Estimate |
| Abdomen/Pelvis MRI | Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000 | Estimate |
| Cardiac MRI | Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 | Estimate |
| Full Body MRI | Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 | Estimate |
| MRI with Spectroscopy | Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000 | Estimate |
What an MRI scan quote often leaves out
- Contrast (gadolinium) if the doctor asks for a contrast study
- Each additional body region, which is usually billed as a separate scan
- Sedation or anaesthesia support for claustrophobic patients or children
- Films or a CD of the images (the digital report is often free)
- A separate radiologist reporting fee at some hospitals
Ask for an itemised, all-inclusive quote in writing before the procedure.
Where MRI scan is done in Chennai
Private hospitals and centres in Chennai include Apollo Hospital (Main), MIOT International, Kauvery Hospital, SIMS Hospital and Vijaya Hospital. We list them so you know where to ask. We have not found published prices from them unless they appear in the table above, and we do not rank or recommend any of them.
Prices & sources
Last checked: 3 October 2026. We re-check published tariffs at least every six months and correct errors when they are reported. See how we research prices and our data sources.
- TNMSC – Support Services: CT / MRI scan centres user charges · Published tariff · checked 3 October 2026
- Tata 1mg Labs (1mg.com) · Published tariff · checked 3 October 2026
- Healthians (healthians.com scans) · Published tariff · checked 3 October 2026
- WhatsTheCost estimate · Estimate · checked 3 October 2026
- CGHS rate list (OM dated 03.10.2025), cghs.mohfw.gov.in · Published tariff, document dated 2025-10-03 · checked 3 October 2026
- CGHS rate list (OM dated 03.10.2025), cghs.mohfw.gov.in · Published tariff, document dated 2025-10-03 · checked 3 October 2026
Frequently asked questions: MRI Scan cost in Chennai
How much does an MRI scan cost in Chennai in 2026?
For a plain (non-contrast) MRI of one region, such as the brain, private hospitals and centres in Chennai charge about Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000. Government option: Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (TNMSC MRI centre), Rs 2,500 (published tariff). The type of study and add-ons such as contrast, sedation, implants or biopsy change the final bill.
Where is an MRI scan cheapest in Chennai?
The lowest actual price listed on this page is Rs 2,500 at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (TNMSC MRI centre) (published tariff, checked 3 October 2026). It is a subsidised government rate, so expect a queue and less choice of slot. Prices change, so confirm the current rate with the facility before you go.
What does an MRI scan cost at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (TNMSC MRI centre)?
Rs 2,500 for a plain (non-contrast) MRI of one region, such as the brain, according to TNMSC – Support Services: CT / MRI scan centres user charges (published tariff). Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation rate at government hospital scan centres. Plain + contrast: Rs 4,000 (published tariff). Expect a waiting list and confirm the current rate before you go.
Is a 3 Tesla MRI better than 1.5 Tesla?
A 3T machine gives higher-resolution images and is usually priced higher. Whether it matters depends on the body part and the clinical question, so ask the doctor who ordered the scan whether 1.5T is acceptable.
Why do MRI prices differ so much between centres?
Most of the gap comes from the type of scan (region, contrast, number of regions), the machine (1.5T or 3T) and whether the centre is a hospital department or a standalone diagnostic centre. Compare quotes for exactly the same study.
Does insurance or Ayushman Bharat cover it?
Health insurance usually pays when the procedure is part of a hospital admission or an approved day-care claim; purely outpatient tests depend on your policy’s OPD cover. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY covers listed packages at empanelled hospitals for eligible families, and diagnostic scans are generally paid as part of an admitted package rather than as standalone outpatient tests. Ask the hospital’s insurance or scheme desk before the procedure, not at billing.
Disclaimer: This page explains prices for general information and education. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any hospital, centre or doctor. Figures marked Estimate are our modelled ranges, not quotes. Published tariffs can change without notice, and the final bill depends on your case. Confirm the current price with the facility and ask a qualified doctor which test or treatment you need.