Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addresses questions regarding new cancer hospitals and oncology centers, early cancer detection initiatives, funds allocated for cancer treatment and research, strategies to improve access to affordable treatment, measures to reduce cancer prevalence, and nationwide awareness campaigns. The information provided covers the last five years, with specific financial data for the last three financial years (2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025) and announcements made in Union Budget 2025-26. A nationwide NCD screening campaign was conducted from February 20, 2025, to March 31, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Cancer Facilities and Infrastructure:
* The Government has implemented a scheme to strengthen tertiary care cancer facilities, aiming to establish 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC).
* Financial assistance is available for SCIs (up to Rs. 120 crores) and TCCCs (up to Rs. 45 crores) for equipment procurement and facility enhancement.
* Kurnool Medical College (Andhra Pradesh) and Gujarat Cancer Research Institute (Gujarat) have been approved as SCIs with a budget of Rs. 120 crores each.
* New facilities include the National Cancer Institute (Jhajjar, Haryana) and a second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (Kolkata).
* Cancer treatment facilities have been approved in all 22 new AIIMS.
* 770 District NCD Clinics, 364 Day Care Cancer Centres, and 6410 NCD Clinics at Community Health Centres have been established under NPNCD.
* 297 new Day Care Cancer Centres have been approved for the financial year 2025-26 to provide follow-up chemotherapy.
Early Detection and Screening:
* A population-based initiative for screening, management, and prevention of common NCDs, including cancer, is rolled out under the National Health Mission (NHM) through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
* National NCD Screening Campaign was conducted from February 20, 2025, to March 31, 2025, to achieve universal screening of individuals aged 30 years and above.
Increase in Oncologists:
* National Medical Commission eased norms for starting PG courses in Oncology.
* Increased PG seats in various oncology specialties between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
Financial Allocations and Schemes:
* ICMR has funded cancer research projects with approximate budget allocations: Rs 125 crore (2021-2022), Rs 150 crore (2022-2023), and Rs 300 crore (2023-2024).
* Funds allocated and released to State Cancer Institutes and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres:
* 2022-23: Budget Allocation 175, Expenditure 120
* 2023-24: Budget Allocation 100, Expenditure 50
* 2024-25: Budget Allocation 109, Expenditure 80
* Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY) provides Rs. 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care, including cancer treatment. Health coverage extended to all senior citizens aged 70, regardless of income.
* Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) offers affordable generic medicines, including 87 products for cancer treatment.
* Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) pharmacies provide discounted medicines, including cancer drugs. 234 AMRIT Pharmacies are spread across 28 States/UTs.
* National Free Drugs Initiative and Free Diagnostic Services under NHM ensure essential medicines and diagnostics at public health facilities.
Awareness and Prevention:
* Wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level are promoted under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs.
* Awareness is increased through national and international health days and use of media.
* Financial support is provided to States and UTs for awareness generation activities for NCDs, including cancer (Rs 35 lakhs at District level and Rs 50-70 lakhs at State level).
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/Union Territories:
* Impact: Required to implement NPNCD programs, utilize allocated funds for cancer treatment and research, conduct awareness campaigns, and strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
* Action Required: Develop and implement Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) for NPNCD, utilize allocated funds effectively, and conduct awareness campaigns.
Cancer Patients and Economically Weaker Sections:
* Impact: Improved access to affordable cancer treatment, early detection services, and financial assistance through AB PMJAY and other schemes.
* Action Required: Utilize available screening programs and financial assistance schemes for early detection and affordable treatment.
Medical Professionals (Oncologists and Healthcare Providers):
* Impact: Opportunities for increased PG seats and training in oncology, contributing to a larger pool of specialists.
* Action Required: Medical colleges and institutions should apply for starting PG courses in oncology, and healthcare providers should actively participate in screening and treatment programs.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):
* Impact: Continued funding and support for cancer research projects.
* Action Required: Continue to fund and monitor cancer research projects, focusing on gall bladder, breast, lung, Northeast cancers, and oral cancer.
Key Entities Referenced
National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases NPNCD: A Government of India initiative focused on preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases, including cancer.
State Cancer Institutes SCI: Tertiary cancer facilities being set up across the country under the NPNCD scheme.
Tertiary Care Cancer Centres TCCC: Cancer centers established under the NPNCD scheme to enhance cancer treatment and care.
Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh: A medical college in Andhra Pradesh that has been approved as a State Cancer Institute (SCI).
Gujarat Cancer Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat: A cancer research institute in Gujarat that has been approved as a State Cancer Institute (SCI).
National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar, Haryana: An institute in Haryana set up to provide advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities for cancer.
Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal: A cancer institute in Kolkata, West Bengal, which is expanding to provide advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana AB PMJAY: A health insurance scheme providing financial assistance for secondary and tertiary care, including cancer treatment.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1106
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25TH JULY,2025
NEWCANCER HOSPITALS ANDONCOLOGYCENTRES
1106. SHRIMUKESHKUMAR CHANDRAKAANTDALAL:
DR. D. PURANDESWARI:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleased tostate:
(a)the number of new cancer hospitals and oncology centres that have been set up across the
country during the last five years, State/UT-wise particularly the number of these facilities set up
inAndhra PradeshandGujarat;
(b)the status of the Government-funded initiatives for early cancer detection, free treatment for
economicallyweakersections andthe numberof oncologists increasing inpublic hospitals;
(c)the details of the funds allocated during the last three financial years for cancer treatment and
research alongwith percentage of these funds utilizedfor infrastructure expansion andpatient care;
(d)whether the Government has any strategy to improve access to affordable cancer treatment,
including initiatives such as public-private partnerships, telemedicine services and subsidized
medicinesandif so, the details thereof;
(e)the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to reduce cancer prevalence rates;
and;
(f)whether there is a nationwide awareness campaign planned to educate citizens on early
detection,risk factorsandlifestyle modificationsandif so, the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND
FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) and (b): The Government of India has implemented ‘Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer
Facilities Scheme under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable
Diseases (NP-NCD) for setting upof 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and20 Tertiary Care Cancer
Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country. The financial assistance is provided for
procurement of radio therapy equipment, diagnostic equipments, surgical equipments and
enhancement of indoor civil work and patient facility for cancer and such other purposes relevant
for diagnosis, treatment and care of cancer. The maximum permissible assistance for SCI is Rs.
120 crores and for TCCC is Rs.45 crores. This is inclusive of State share of 40% (for North East
and Hill States 10%). Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat Cancer
Research Institute, AhmedabadinGujarat have beenapprovedasSCIwith approvedbudget of Rs.
120croresrespectively.
The National CancerInstitute at Jhajjar (Haryana) andthe second campusof Chittaranjan National
Cancer Institute, Kolkata have been set up to provide advanced diagnostic andtreatment facilities.
Cancer treatment facilities have also been approved in all 22 new All India Institute of Medical
Science(AIIMS).The Department of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to States
and Union Territories across the country under the National Programme for Prevention and
Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) as part of the National Health Mission
(NHM). The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development,
screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment, and health promotion for Non-Communicable
Diseases (NCDs) including cancer. Under the programme, 770 District NCD Clinics, 364 Day
Care CancerCentres, and6410 NCD Clinicsat Community HealthCentreshave beenset up.
Following,the announcementinUnion Budget 2025-26, so far, 297 newDay Care CancerCentres
have been approved for the financial year 2025-26. These centers aim to provide follow-up
chemotherapyfor patientsreferred by tertiarycare centres.
A population-based initiative for screening, management and prevention of common NCDs
including cancer have been rolled out as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care in the
country under National Health Mission (NHM) through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Screening of
these commonNCDs includingcancerisanintegral part of service delivery.
National Medical Commission has taken few steps for ease of starting Post Graduate (PG) course
includingfor Oncology asfollows:
(i) One canstart PGcourse with two seats even with two faculties,without havingSeniorResident.
(ii) In manyspecialties, bedrequirement for unit formationhasbeenreduced
(iii)Medical College/ Institutes can apply for starting PG course one year after Medical College
has been permitted to start an Undergraduate course and Government Medical Colleges can start
PGcourse simultaneously with UG course.
The detailsof increase innumber of Oncologists inlast three yearsare asunder:
Sl Course Name Seats Seats Seats
No. Granted in Granted Granted
2022-23 in 2023- in 2024-
24 25
1 MD – RadiationOncology 19 40 11
2 DM – Medical Oncology 20 7 8
3 DM - Oncology 6 6 3
4 M.Ch – Gynecological 1 1 6
Oncology
5 M.Ch – Surgical Oncology 13 15 10
6 DM – Pediatric Oncology 8 - 3
7 MD - Oncopathology 6 5 10
Total 73 74 51
(c): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has funded research in areas of gall bladder
cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, cancers in North-east and oral cancer through its centrally
sponsored research projects. The detailsof approximate budget allocatedfor cancerresearch are as
under:
Year Amount
2021-2022 Rs 125 crore
2022-2023 Rs 150crore
2023-2024 Rs 300crore
Funds allocated and released to State Cancer Institutes / Tertiary Care Cancer Centres during the
last three financialyears isasfollows:Financial Year Budget Allocation Expenditur
e
Budget Estimate Revised Estimate
2022-23 175 120 119.99
2023-24 100 50 72.4
2024-25 109 80 79.37
(d): Treatment of major NCDs including cancer are available under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan
Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY). Thisscheme providesfor Rs. 5lakh perfamily annually
for secondary and tertiary care. Recently, PM-JAY extended health coverage to all senior citizens
aged 70+, regardless of income. The Health Benefit Package (HBP) of AB PM-JAY covers 1961
procedures across 27 specialties, including cancer. Treatments are available at 30,072 empaneled
hospitals.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Scheme was launched to set up
dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to provide
quality generic medicines at affordable prices. Under PMBJP, 2047 types of medicines and 300
surgical devices have been brought under the basket of the scheme, of which 87 products are for
cancertreatment.
Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT), initiative launched by the
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare provides affordable medicines for treatment of various
diseases including cancer. As on 30.06.2025, there are 234 AMRIT Pharmacies spread across 28
States/UnionTerritories, selling more than6500drugs includingCancer at significant discounts.
Under National Health Mission (NHM), National Free Drugs Initiative and Free Diagnostic
Services ensure essential medicines and diagnostics at public health facilities, reducing out-of-
pocket expenses. Anti-cancer drugs are included in the Essential Drugs List at District and Sub-
Divisional Hospitals under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non
Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
(e) and (f) : Preventive aspect of Cancer is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health
Care through Ayushman Aarogya Mandir by promotion of wellness activities and targeted
communication at the community level. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness about
NCDs, promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of national and international health
days& use of print,electronicandsocial media for continuedcommunityawareness.
Under NP-NCD, financial support of ₹3-5lakhs at District level and₹50-70 lakhsat State levelis
provided under National Health Mission for awareness generation activities for NCDs including
cancer to be undertaken by the States and Union Territories as per their Programme
Implementation Plans (PIPs). Details of the approval and expenditure under NP-NCD for the last
three yearsisenclosedat Annexure.
In view of the escalating burden of NCDs, the Ministry of Health& Family Welfare had launched
NCD Screening Campaign (20th February, 2025 to 31st March 2025) to achieve universal
screening of individuals aged30yearsand above.The campaignwas conductednationwide across
Ayushman Arogya Mandir andotherhealthcarefacilities underNP-NCD.Annexure
State/UTwise detailsof SPIPApprovals& Expenditure for NationalProgrammefor Preventionand
Control of Non CommunicableDiseases (NP-NCD) underNHM duringtheperiod of F.Y.2022-23 to
2024-25
(Rs. In lakhs)
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
S.
State/UT SPIP SPIP SPIP
No. Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure
Approval Approval Approval
Andamanand
1
Nicobar Islands 52.46 9.14 56.18 18.76 77.50 29.04
Andhra
2
Pradesh 6078.76 3054.33 5954.08 5935.23 2793.95 2978.96
Arunachal
3
Pradesh 622.95 533.96 779.13 383.35 778.50 359.91
4 Assam 1306.81 793.10 1222.93 774.03 1261.30 564.97
5 Bihar 8298.99 3149.22 7163.81 2728.00 15239.36 7741.21
6 Chandigarh 4.15 0.31 3.90 0.75 5.55 5.06
7 Chhattisgarh 3506.32 2359.05 2974.64 2178.78 3489.59 1016.16
Dadra & Nagar
8 Haveli and 57.55
Daman& Diu 14.53 57.99 47.68 220.20 26.79
9 Delhi 164.70 21.97 335.41 27.22 1002.36 89.05
10 Goa 153.05 156.05 145.25 96.34 380.84 126.83
11 Gujarat 4071.68 1711.46 3778.31 1542.89 4183.61 1248.96
12 Haryana 533.41 592.62 406.56 630.69 5093.87 898.75
Himachal
13
Pradesh 1361.00 440.72 1416.50 735.05 1239.49 442.21
Jammu and
14
Kashmir 792.00 202.20 882.00 208.39 1016.40 530.60
15 Jharkhand 1955.15 903.13 1958.53 1467.89 4668.04 3284.65
16 Karnataka 4409.74 2625.00 2452.35 1953.05 1645.43 941.00
17 Kerala 7662.02 2372.94 5249.09 1203.84 5464.00 265.95
18 Ladakh 273.36 146.40 166.43 119.15 1126.35 901.39
19 Lakshadweep 21.21 2.03 22.28 3.22 31.70 19.56
Madhya
20
Pradesh 4753.73 1470.14 2090.26 1385.57 7207.23 3369.80
21 Maharashtra 5311.21 2018.00 5147.52 1502.83 22614.03 1669.74
22 Manipur 722.21 277.29 724.30 249.28 1448.36 250.52
23 Meghalaya 407.60 219.42 370.59 524.32 1002.20 738.66
24 Mizoram 176.24 22.60 176.24 118.60 157.71 39.78
25 Nagaland 312.26 41.62 310.88 125.42 452.79 454.29
26 Odisha 7442.69 3539.82 6067.91 4957.81 5251.02 4525.75
27 Puducherry 113.10 47.94 135.94 48.39 499.08 44.36
28 Punjab 1405.93 559.97 1796.11 1796.11 4255.14 323.83
29 Rajasthan 23542.92 2700.62 23542.92 2204.69 13709.00 10632.43
30 Sikkim 117.04 56.33 85.55 51.17 243.93 176.00
31 Tamil Nadu 8466.91 1814.06 10031.16 4277.33 5130.45 4617.11
32 Telangana 5272.72 5305.26 5145.00 128.71 3925.06 3840.0633 Tripura 496.53 203.41 578.92 250.46 670.00 377.02
34 Uttar Pradesh 13607.82 4787.92 18998.70 5667.88 24974.57 6266.67
35 Uttarakhand 1127.33 436.72 1167.37 697.50 1231.06 530.01
36 West Bengal 3868.71 4765.29 5428.71 4680.41 8563.20 5144.23