Towards a Cancer-Free India: Key Facts, Government Initiatives

The prevalence of cancer stands as a major public health problem in India because 100 people per 1 lakh population develop the condition. The government created diverse programs to prevent cancer cases while improving early diagnosis capabilities and treatment delivery. The healthcare budget for 2025-26 totaled ₹99,858.56 crore in the Union Budget while officials created 200 Day Care Cancer facilities and gave essential cancer drug duty exemptions. Screening programs for oral cancer alongside breast and cervical cancer receive priority in the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer (NPCDCS) and Tertiary Cancer Care Centres provide specialist care with their State Cancer Institutes and Tertiary Cancer Centres total of 19 and 20. Cancer treatment solutions such as chemotherapy and surgery are benefits included in the Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) program. The Health Minister’s Cancer Fund provides financial assistance as the National Cancer Grid maintains the annual treatment of 750,000 cancer patients. 

Introduction

• Medical science lists cancer as a crucial worldwide public health concern following its 2022 emission of 20 million new cases leading to 9.7 million fatalities.

• The cancer diagnosis rate in India amounts to 100 patients per 1 lakh population population.

• Data collection related to cancer incidence and trends started at ICMR’s National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) in 1982.

• The National Institute of Cancer Prevention & Research (NICPR) sets screening guidelines under NPCDCS.

• The Indian government established policies along with financial programs to develop cancer preventive measures as well as to detect conditions early and improve treatment techniques.

The Union Budget of 2025-26 

• Total Health Budget: ₹99,858.56 crore.

• The major allocations and measures regarding cancer care during the budgetary period include:

• The establishment of 200 new Day Care Cancer Centres will begin in 2025-26 before reaching every district hospital within three subsequent years.

• Customs Duty Exemptions:

• Basic Customs Duty (BCD) will no longer apply to the 36 lifesaving medications and drugs.

• Basic Customs Duty applies as a 5% rate to six medications used for managing chronic diseases.

• The Budget includes full exemption of Patient Assistance Programme medicines.

Holistic Cancer Control: Government Initiatives

National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer (NPCDCS)

• The National Health Mission integrates this program.

• Focuses on the three most common cancers:

  • Oral cancer

  • Breast cancer

  • Cervical cancer

• Key components:

  • Cancer screening at the community level.

  • Early detection via health workers & digital platforms.

• Infrastructure strengthening:

  • 770 District NCD Clinics

  • 233 Cardiac Care Units

  • 372 District Day Care Centres

  • 6,410 CHC NCD Clinics

Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care

• The decentralization approach ensures all parts of the nation have better access to cancer treatment.

• Expansion of specialized cancer centers:

  • 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs)

  • 20 Tertiary Cancer Centres (TCCCs)

• Key Institutions:

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI), Jhajjar, Haryana.

  • Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), Kolkata.

Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PMJAY)

• The scheme started operations in 2018 as a healthcare initiative for all people.

• The PMJAY insurance program provides coverage for chemotherapy services together with radiotherapy and surgical procedures.

• According to PMJAY records treatment initiation has occurred within 90% of enrolled cancer patients.

Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF)

• Donors can get ₹5 lakh financial assistance through Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) funds.

• Maximum assistance: ₹15 lakh.

• Allocated ₹50 lakh revolving funds to each of 27 Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs).

 National Cancer Grid (NCG)

• As a 2012-established network, it represents the largest cancer organization globally which contains 287 operational members.

• Treats 750,000 new cancer patients annually (~60% of India’s cases).

• The initiative works jointly with Ayushman Bharat to deliver affordable healthcare treatment.

Advancing Cancer Research & Innovation

1. India’s First Indigenous CAR-T Cell Therapy – NexCAR19

• The collaboration between IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Centre as well as ImmunoACT developed this innovation in 2024.

• The future treatment of blood cancers operates as a self-developed therapy system that decreases reliance on overseas imports.

2. Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative (2024)

• A joint effort to eliminate cervical cancer has been formed by India together with the US, Australia, and Japan.

• The program targets screening services combined with vaccination programs as well as funding scientific research.

3. Expansion of ACTREC (Tata Memorial Centre, 2025)

• The facility provides advantages to cancer scientific study together with patients' healthcare needs.

• The system guarantees enhanced therapeutic service capacity in addition to improving clinical trial capability.

Cancer Awareness & Prevention Initiatives

• Community Awareness:

  • The Ayushman Aarogya Mandir organization dedicates itself to preventing disease in the population.

• Media Campaigns:

  • Awareness via print, electronic & social media.

  • Observance of National Cancer Awareness Day & World Cancer Day.

• Healthy Lifestyle Promotion:

  • Indian individuals should follow Eat Right India guidelines issued by FSSAI for proper nutrition.

  • Physical activity dissemination happens through Fit India Movement which operates under the Youth Affairs Ministry.

  • The AYUSH Ministry leads the promotion of yoga along with wellness programs.

Conclusion

• India enhances its cancer care system through reforms in policies and builds new infrastructure while implementing financial support plans.

• Union Budget 2025-26 will improve cancer treatment by providing Day Care Centres and exempting Customs Duties.

• The development of NexCAR19 together with the National Cancer Grid creates more affordable alternatives for cancer treatment.

• The progress in cancer prevention has not eliminated the barriers that prevent early diagnosis and equal access in addition to surging incidence rates.

• India can become cancer-free through a collective intersectoral strategy that includes lifestyle programs alongside public enlightenment and technological discoveries.