The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, provides technical and financial assistance to States and Union Territories through the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) under the National Health Mission (NHM). This initiative has led to the establishment of 770 District NCD Clinics, 233 Cardiac Care Units, 372 District Day Care Centres, and 6,410 NCD Clinics at Community Health Centres nationwide.
The Government has implemented the Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Facilities Scheme, resulting in establishment of 19 State Cancer Institutes and 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centers across various regions. Additionally, cancer treatment facilities have been approved in all 22 new AIIMS, equipped with diagnostic, medical, and surgical capabilities. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Jhajjar, featuring 1,460 patient care beds and advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities, along with the second campus of the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata, which has 460 beds, have been set up to provide super-specialty care.
The latest national master of the Health Benefit Package (HBP) under AB PM-JAY includes treatment for 1,961 procedures across 27 specialties, including cancer care.Under PMJAY, more than 68 lakh cancer treatments worth over ₹13,000 crore have been undertaken, with 75.81% of these treatments availed by beneficiaries from rural areas. Furthermore, targeted therapies for cancer care have seen over 4.5 lakh treatments worth over ₹985 crore, with 76.32% of these treatments accessed by rural beneficiaries under PM-JAY.
As per the announcement of Union Budget 2025-26, Government plans to set up Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) in consultation with States/Union Territories in district hospitals in the next 3 years, out of which 200 centres are proposed to be set up in 2025-26.
A comprehensive gap analysis has been undertaken to assess the availability of cancer care infrastructure, medical personnels, and essential equipment in district hospitals. Based on the findings, Union Health Ministry, in consultation with State Governments, plans to establish DCCCs in districts with a high cancer burden and limited access to cancer care services. The selection of these districts will ensure robust referral linkages with State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and Tertiary Cancer Care Centers (TCCCs) to provide a seamless continuum of care.
