India is intensifying its fight against cancer with a focus on prevention, affordable treatment, and innovation.
With over 14 lakh new cases reported in 2023, the government has rolled out robust policies, budget allocations, and global partnerships to strengthen oncology infrastructure and ensure equitable access to care.

Key Highlights

• Budget Boost: ₹99,858.56 crore allocated for health, including 200 Day Care Cancer Centres and customs duty exemptions on 36 lifesaving drugs.

• Infrastructure Expansion: 19 State Cancer Institutes, 20 Tertiary Care Centres, and 770 District NCD (Non Communicable Disease) Clinics established under NP-NCD (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases) for early detection of oral, breast, and cervical cancers.

• Financial Aid: Ayushman Bharat covers chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgeries, while HMCPF provides up to ₹15 lakh for BPL patients.

• Innovation: Launch of NexCAR19, India’s first indigenous CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T) cell therapy, and the Quad Cancer Moonshot initiative to eliminate cervical cancer.

• Awareness: National campaigns like Eat Right India and Fit India promote healthy lifestyles, while Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs drive grassroots awareness.

India’s cancer care framework integrates policy, finance, and innovation, yet challenges in rural access and early detection persist. Sustained efforts aim to build an inclusive, cancer-free future.