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3 Delhi Government Schemes to Help Pay for Cancer Treatment (2026)
Cancer treatment can be expensive, but the government offers many programs to help offset the costs.
A diagnosis for a life-threatening disease can be financially and emotionally devastating for families. General health insurance may cover only so much, and other comprehensive plans do not cover expenses for the entire treatment. In such medical emergencies, the government has multiple schemes and funding options in place that provide financial aid on an ad-hoc basis, to help those affected.
Here are a 3 schemes offered by the state of Delhi to provide treatment aid to cancer patients:
Delhi Government Scheme Comparison
| Delhi Government Scheme | Coverage & Financial Limit | Residency / Income Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) | Cashless diagnostics & referred surgeries | Delhi Resident (No strict income limit for referrals) |
| Delhi Arogya Nidhi (DAN) | Up to Rs 3 Lakh | Annual income below Rs 1 Lakh (BPL) |
| Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) | Discretionary grant (Rs 50,000 – Rs 1,00,000) | Low-income residents without alternative insurance |
1. Delhi Arogya Kosh Scheme
Delhi Arogya Kosh is a registered society, which provides financial assistance to EWS patients under treatment in empanelled government hospitals in the state.
- The scheme includes 123 packages for cancer treatment
- The upper limit of cancer treatment is INR 5 lakhs or 100% of the estimated cost of the treatment – whichever is less
- To apply, the applicant will be required to produce income certificate, domicile certificate, ration card, EPIC (Voter ID), driving licence, extract from the electoral roll, Aadhaar card
- A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme, if
- The annual family income is higher than INR 3 lakhs
- They have domiciled in Delhi for a period of less than three years
Read more about the Delhi Arogya Kosh scheme, here.
2. Health Minister’s Cancer Patients Fund (HMCPF)
The Health Minister’s Cancer Patients Fund, a component of the umbrella scheme of RAN, provides financial assistance to patients below poverty line suffering from cancer and undergoing treatment in the enlisted Regional Cancer Centres (RCC) in the state – Indian Rotary Cancer Institute, AIIMS, New Delhi.
- Each cancer patient can receive a one-time grant of INR 2 lakh, up to INR 5 lakh depending on urgency
- There is no reimbursement for expenditure already incurred
- To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly completed and signed application form, copy of income certificate and copy of ration card
- A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under HMCPF, if:
- Their family is covered under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
- They or their family member is a government servant
- They are receiving treatment in a private hospital
Read more about HMCPF, here.
3. Delhi Arogya Nidhi (DAN)
This scheme aims to provide financial assistance up to INR 1.5 lakhs to those patients for treatment of diseases like cancer in all the government hospitals in the state.
- The patient should belong to a family whose annual income is less than INR 1 lakh per annum
- To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a ration card, EPIC Card, birth certificate in case the patient is a minor, extract from electoral roll, Aadhaar card, original estimate certificate, a copy of the National Food Security Card or income certificate and photocopies of the treatment record
- A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme, if
- They have not been residing in Delhi continuously for the last 3 years (prior to the date of submission of application)
- They are not availing treatment at a government hospital
Read more about the Delhi Arogya Nidhi, here.
Please note: These are estimated costs of treatment at most private hospitals in the country. The costs may vary based on region, severity of disease and mode of treatment.
P.S. This article is for information purposes only and don’t replace professional medical guidance. Health decisions should be made in consultation with qualified medical experts who can provide personalized advice based on individual circumstances and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) scheme for cancer patients?
The Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) is a healthcare assistance program designed to support eligible Delhi residents who require expensive medical treatment.
Key features include:
- Financial support for specialized medical treatments, including cancer care.
- Access to approved diagnostic procedures, surgeries, and advanced treatments.
- Treatment at empaneled hospitals, subject to scheme guidelines.
- Referral through designated government healthcare facilities and verification of medical need.
The scheme aims to ensure that financially vulnerable patients can access life-saving treatment without undue financial hardship.
2. Who is eligible for the Delhi Arogya Nidhi (DAN) scheme?
The Delhi Arogya Nidhi (DAN) provides financial assistance to economically weaker residents requiring treatment for serious illnesses, including cancer.
Eligibility generally includes:
- Permanent residents of Delhi.
- Patients belonging to lower-income households.
- Individuals requiring treatment at eligible government healthcare institutions.
- Applicants meeting the income and documentation requirements prescribed by the government.
Financial assistance is subject to approval and the prevailing scheme rules.
3. What documents are required to apply for Delhi cancer treatment assistance schemes?
While documentation requirements may vary depending on the specific scheme, applicants are commonly asked to provide:
- Proof of residence in Delhi.
- Income certificate issued by the competent authority.
- Aadhaar card or other government-issued identity proof.
- Medical reports and diagnostic records.
- Treatment estimate or cost certificate from the treating hospital.
- Recommendation or certification from the treating doctor.
- Hospital bills and supporting medical documents, where applicable.
Applicants should verify the latest eligibility criteria and document requirements with the concerned government department or hospital before applying.
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