To boost cancer care and tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the Government of India has taken several major steps under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), part of the National Health Mission (NHM). The Department of Health and Family Welfare continues to provide both technical and financial support to States and Union Territories for this purpose.
So far, the following facilities have been set up nationwide:
- 770 District-level NCD Clinics
- 233 Cardiac Care Units
- 372 District Day Care Centres
- 6,410 NCD Clinics at Community Health Centres
In a significant move to strengthen early detection and preventive care, a population-based screening program for common NCDs — including cancers such as oral, breast, and cervical cancer — has been launched through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. These screenings are an essential part of 12 key health service packages, especially in rural and underserved regions.
Under the Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Facilities Scheme, the government has:
- Established 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs)
- Set up 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centres (TCCCs) across the country
Moreover, cancer care units equipped with diagnostic, medical, and surgical capabilities have been approved in all 22 new AIIMS. Two landmark institutions have also been developed to offer advanced super-speciality care:
- The National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Jhajjar, with 1,460 beds
- The second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata, with 460 beds
Financial Coverage Through Ayushman Bharat
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) provides Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary hospital care. It currently covers around 55 crore people, or 12.37 crore families. Recently, this health insurance coverage was extended to include all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.
The scheme’s Health Benefits Package (HBP) now includes 1,961 procedures across 27 medical specialties, including cancer care.
So far under PM-JAY:
- Over 68 lakh cancer treatments have been provided, amounting to Rs 13,000 crore
- 75.81% of these treatments were availed by rural patients
- Targeted therapies for cancer saw 4.5 lakh treatments, worth over Rs 985 crore, with 76.32% benefitting rural patients
In the 2025–26 Union Budget, the government announced plans to set up Day Care Chemotherapy Centres (DCCCs) in district hospitals across India in partnership with States and Union Territories. 200 centres are planned for launch in 2025–26, with more to follow over the next three years.
A comprehensive gap analysis has already been completed to assess the current infrastructure, human resources, and equipment needed for cancer care in district hospitals. Based on these findings, DCCCs will be established in districts with a high cancer burden and limited access to care.
These centres will be closely linked with State Cancer Institutes and Tertiary Cancer Care Centres to ensure patients receive continuous and coordinated treatment, from diagnosis through recovery.
