Union Health Minister JP Nadda informed the Parliament that more than 75 per cent of cancer treatments under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) have been availed by rural populations.
This data highlights the scheme’s crucial role in bridging healthcare gaps in the country’s hinterlands. Since the inception of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, over 68 lakh cancer treatments have been provided across India. The cumulative value of these treatments exceeds Rs 13,000 crore, indicating a substantial government investment in oncology care.
More than 4.5 lakh cancer treatments, worth Rs 985 crore, were dedicated to targeted therapies, including precision treatments for aggressive cancer types. Approximately 76.32 per cent of all cancer beneficiaries under PMJAY hail from rural areas, showcasing the program’s impact in addressing rural healthcare needs.
The government has also introduced a nationwide screening drive aimed at the early detection and prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. This campaign, active until March 31, 2025, aims to achieve 100 per cent screening for individuals aged 30 years and above.
Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), the government has significantly expanded cancer care facilities by establishing 770 district NCD clinics, 233 cardiac care units, and 372 district daycare centres to support outpatient treatments, including chemotherapy.
Additionally, 6,410 NCD clinics have been set up at Community Health Centres (CHCs).
Furthermore, 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centres (TCCCs) have been established across the country. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Jhajjar, Haryana, with 1,460 beds, and the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute’s second campus in Kolkata, with 460 beds, are among the key tertiary cancer care facilities providing advanced treatment. In an effort to decentralise oncology treatment, the government has approved cancer treatment facilities in all 22 new AIIMS institutes, ensuring access to diagnostics, medical oncology, surgical interventions, and radiation therapies.
Recognising the financial burden cancer treatment imposes, the government has introduced multiple financial assistance schemes. The Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) offers a one-time financial aid of up to Rs15 lakh for Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients.
Additionally, 217 Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacies provide oncology drugs at 50 per cent–80 per cent lower prices than market rates. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) supplies 289 essential oncology drugs at subsidised rates through Janaushadhi Kendras nationwide.
Furthermore, the Union Budget 2025–26 has earmarked funds for the establishment of 200 new daycare cancer centres at district hospitals, further strengthening India’s cancer treatment ecosystem.
PMJAY provides coverage for over 200 oncology packages, covering more than 500 treatment procedures spanning medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation therapy, and palliative care. Among these, 37 packages cater specifically to targeted therapies such as chemotherapy for breast cancer, metastatic melanoma, chronic myeloid leukemia, Burkitt’s lymphoma, and lung cancer. With this extensive infrastructure and financial backing, the Indian government aims to make cancer treatment more accessible and affordable, particularly for vulnerable rural populations.
The ongoing expansion and strengthening of cancer care services reflect the commitment to reducing cancer-related mortality and improving healthcare outcomes nationwide.
