Written by:
Arthi T
Cancer treatment can be financially overwhelming, placing a heavy burden on patients and their families. Recognizing the critical need for financial support, the Indian government offers various schemes and programs to assist those battling cancer. These initiatives aim to alleviate the economic strain, ensuring that more individuals have access to the necessary medical care without facing financial ruin.
In this blog article, we will explore key ways the Indian government helps cover the costs of cancer treatment, highlighting the resources available to support patients in their fight against this life-threatening disease.
Summary of Cancer Funding Channels in India (2026 Guide)
| Funding Channel | Maximum Limit | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) | Up to Rs 5 Lakh per year | Low-income / BPL families |
| Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) | Up to Rs 15 Lakh | BPL patients at Govt institutes |
| National Crowdfunding (Milaap) | No upper limit | Open to all income classes |
| Oncology Specific NGOs | Subsidized drugs / partial grants | Varies by NGO (BPL to low-income) |
Central Government schemes
The Indian government has introduced several programs to help cancer patients with financial aid and support all over the country. These programs are meant to ease the burden of treatment expenses and ensure that patients get the care they need on time. They offer discounted treatments and comprehensive insurance coverage, aiming to make cancer care accessible to everyone. Check out the link to learn more about the different cancer support programs offered by the central government.
State Government schemes
State government cancer programs in India are set up to help people fighting cancer by offering financial aid and assistance to ensure they can access timely and affordable treatment. These programs often cover the costs of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and other necessary treatments, easing the financial burden on patients and their families. If you want to learn more about the specific cancer programs available in each state and how they can help you or your loved ones, click the links below.
Need help covering cancer treatment costs?
Andhra Pradesh / Telangana - Aarogyasri Scheme
Who can apply?
How to apply
Post-surgery care
Who can apply?
Cancer patients in Andhra Pradesh will get free treatment if their annual family income is below Rs 5 Lakh.
How to apply
The Andhra Pradesh government has tied up with over 150 super-specialty hospitals across AP, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore for rendering services under the Arogyasri scheme.
Contact the designated authority responsible for implementing the Arogyasri Scheme in your state or region to obtain the application form.
You can usually find the application form on the official website of the implementing agency or by visiting their office in person.
Fill out the application form accurately and completely. Provide all the required information, including personal details, income information, medical condition details, and any other information requested in the form.
Gather all necessary documents required to support your application. These may include proof of identity, income certificate, residence proof, medical reports, and any other documents specified in the application form.
Once you have filled out the application form and gathered all required documents, submit your application to the designated office or authority responsible for processing Arogyasri Scheme applications. You may need to submit the application in person or through specified channels such as online submission or postal mail.
Ensure to renew your enrollment in the Arogyasri Scheme as per the specified renewal procedures and timelines to maintain continuous coverage.
Post-surgery care
An amount of Rs 225 per day is paid for post-surgery care.
Madhya Pradesh - 'State Illness Assistance Fund' of Directorate of Health Services, Govt of M.P.
Who can apply?
Aid provided
How to apply
Contact
Who can apply?
Any cancer-diagnosed person domiciled in Madhya Pradesh who is ‘below poverty line’ (BPL) can apply for assistance under this scheme.
Aid provided
The amount of assistance varies from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2,00,000, depending on the nature and cost of the treatment required.
The approved amount is directly paid to the hospital where the treatment is being carried out.
How to apply
Obtain the application form from any of the following offices:
- District Collector
- District Chief Medical and Health Officer
- District Civil Surgeon
- District Hospital
The form may also be available for download on the official website of the Directorate of Health Services, Madhya Pradesh – https://www.health.mp.gov.in/en/state-illness-assistance-fund
Documentation:
Gather all necessary documents required to support your application. This typically includes:
- Proof of identity (such as Aadhaar card, voter ID)
- Proof of residence in Madhya Pradesh
- BPL certificate or ration card
- Medical reports and diagnosis from a recognized hospital
- Income certificate
- Estimate of the treatment cost from the hospital where treatment is to be undertaken
Submit the completed application form along with all required documents to the office where you obtained the form.
The application can be submitted in person or through specified channels as per the guidelines of the office.
Verification and Approval:
The application and attached documents will be reviewed by the designated authorities. Upon verification, the authorities will approve the assistance amount based on the treatment cost and the patient’s financial condition. The approved amount will be directly transferred to the hospital’s account for the patient’s treatment.
Contact
For further assistance and information, you can visit or contact the nearest District Collector’s office or the office of the District Chief Medical and Health Officer.
Odisha - Free Chemotherapy Programme of Odisha Government
Who can apply?
Aid provided
How to apply
Who can apply?
The program is applicable to individuals below the poverty line (BPL) with an annual family income not exceeding Rs. 40,000/- in rural areas and Rs. 60,000/- in urban areas.
Possession of a BPL card or Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card.
Alternatively, an annual income certificate issued by the concerned Tahsildar can also be used for determining eligibility.
Aid provided
- Free Chemotherapy Treatment: The program covers the cost of chemotherapy treatment for eligible cancer patients.
- Comprehensive Coverage: The program provides coverage for various types of cancer, including but not limited to leukemia, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and bladder cancer.
- Hospital-based Treatment: Assistance is available only to patients undergoing treatment as in-patients in government or empanelled private hospitals.
How to apply
Contact the Nodal Officer or visit https://health.odisha.gov.in/
Patients can reach out to the designated nodal officer in the concerned department of the hospital. The nodal officer will guide patients through the application process and provide assistance as needed.
Application Process:
- Complete the application form provided by the hospital.
- Attach all necessary documents as specified in the form, including BPL/AAY card or income certificate, medical reports, and identification documents.
Verification and Approval:
- The application will be reviewed by the nodal officer and forwarded to the Head of Department (HOD) for further verification.
- A Screening Committee, chaired by the Superintendent or Director of the hospital, will review the application and make a recommendation.
Sanction and Treatment:
- Upon approval by the Screening Committee, the patient will receive free chemotherapy treatment at the hospital, up to the sanctioned amount.
- The sanctioned amount may vary depending on the treatment requirements and the decision of the Screening Committee.
Need help covering cancer treatment costs?
Punjab - Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Raahat Kosh Scheme
Who can apply?
Aid provided
How to apply
Who can apply?
- The scheme is intended to provide financial assistance to Punjab resident cancer patients.
- Possession of a BPL card or Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card.
- Alternatively, an annual income certificate issued by the concerned Tahsildar can also be used for determining eligibility.
- Residency in Punjab: Only residents of Punjab are eligible to apply for assistance under this scheme.
- Cancer Diagnosis: Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer to avail benefits.
- Exclusions: Government employees, ESI employees and their dependents, and patients with health insurance or medical reimbursement are not eligible for assistance under this scheme.
Aid provided
- Financial Assistance: The scheme provides financial assistance of up to Rs 1.50 Lakhs for the treatment of each cancer patient.
- Coverage: The assistance can be utilized to cover various aspects of cancer treatment, including but not limited to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgical procedures, and hospitalization expenses.
- Exclusions: Certain categories of individuals, such as government employees and those with health insurance, are excluded from availing financial assistance under this scheme.
How to apply
- Obtain the application form from the designated office or authority responsible for implementing the scheme or visit – https://mmpcrk.gov.in/
- Fill out the application form accurately with all required details, including personal information, cancer diagnosis details, and financial information.
- Attach all necessary documents as specified in the application form, including medical reports, identification documents, and any other required certificates.
- Submit the completed application form along with the required documents to the designated office or authority.
- The application will be reviewed by the authorities, and eligibility for financial assistance will be determined based on the provided information.
- Once approved, the financial assistance amount will be disbursed to the eligible patient.
Rajasthan - 'Free Cancer Medicines' Scheme of Rajasthan Government
Who can apply?
Aid provided
How to apply
Who can apply?
- The scheme is available to all residents of Rajasthan who have been diagnosed with cancer.
- Residency in Rajasthan: Only residents of Rajasthan are eligible to avail benefits under this scheme.
- Cancer Diagnosis: Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer to access free medicines.
Exclusions: The scheme may have specific eligibility criteria based on income levels or other factors, which need to be verified during the application process.
Aid provided
- Free Cancer Medicines: The scheme provides essential cancer medicines free of cost to eligible patients.
- Coverage: The scheme covers a range of cancer medicines listed in the essential drug list, including chemotherapy drugs such as Imatinib, Melphalan, and Cytarabine.
- Comprehensive Treatment: The free medicines scheme aims to support comprehensive cancer treatment by providing access to essential medications required for various types of cancer.
How to apply
- Patients should consult with their healthcare provider to obtain a prescription for the required cancer medicines.
- Patients can visit the designated Drug Distribution Counters (DDCs) set up in government-run selected hospitals in Rajasthan.
- The DDCs distribute free cancer medicines to eligible patients upon presentation of a valid prescription.
- Patients may need to provide identification documents to verify their eligibility for the scheme.
- Eligibility verification may include residency proof and confirmation of cancer diagnosis.
- Upon verification, eligible patients receive the prescribed cancer medicines free of cost from the DDCs.
- The distribution of medicines is facilitated by trained personnel at the DDCs to ensure accurate dispensation.
Website – https://rajswasthya.nic.in/
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quickest way to get financial assistance for cancer treatment?
The fastest source of financial support depends on the urgency of the treatment and the patient’s eligibility.
Common options include:
- Government healthcare schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and state-specific health programs.
- NGO grants and charitable trusts.
- Hospital social welfare funds.
- Corporate CSR-supported medical assistance programs.
- Medical crowdfunding platforms such as Milaap.
Government and NGO assistance can provide significant support but often involve document verification and approval processes. For urgent treatment needs, crowdfunding campaigns can usually be launched quickly while other funding applications are being processed.
Does PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat) cover cancer treatment in private hospitals?
Yes. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) provides eligible beneficiaries with cashless treatment coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.
Cancer-related benefits may include:
- Cancer surgeries.
- Chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy.
- Diagnostic procedures and hospitalization.
- Other approved oncology treatment packages.
Coverage can be availed at empaneled public and private hospitals participating in the PM-JAY network, subject to eligibility and package guidelines.
Can families apply to corporate CSR funds for cancer medicines?
Yes. Many companies, hospital foundations, and charitable trusts support cancer patients through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and patient assistance programs.
Support may include:
- Subsidized cancer medicines.
- Assistance with chemotherapy and radiation expenses.
- Access to targeted therapies and specialty drugs.
- Financial grants for treatment.
- Diagnostic and supportive care assistance.
Patients can inquire through:
- Hospital social work departments.
- Patient welfare cells.
- NGO partners.
- Pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs (PAPs).
Combining CSR support with insurance, government schemes, NGO grants, and crowdfunding can help reduce the overall financial burden of cancer treatment.
In times of need, support means everything, and with Milaap, you need not look any further. Milaap enables you to set up a fundraiser for any medical emergency within minutes, and you can easily raise funds for treatment expenses.
Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand.
Visit www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.
For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.
