Cancer treatment can be expensive, particularly when a patient needs surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy or prolonged follow-up. But the cost of treatment does not always have to be borne entirely by the patient.
India has a large network of government cancer centres, Regional Cancer Centres and charitable institutions where eligible patients can receive free, subsidized or cashless cancer treatment through government schemes, hospital welfare funds and charitable assistance.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with cancer and finances are a concern, the following cancers hospitals should be in your check list.
1. Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
The Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in Mumbai is one of India’s best-known cancer treatment centres and part of the Tata Memorial Centre network under the Department of Atomic Energy.
One of its major strengths is its focus on making cancer treatment accessible to economically weaker patients. Government information has stated that around 60% of patients at Tata Memorial Centre receive treatment free or at nominal cost, with support from government schemes including Ayushman Bharat. (Press Information Bureau)
The Tata Memorial Centre network has also expanded beyond Mumbai, with centres in Varanasi, Visakhapatnam, New Chandigarh, Guwahati, Sangrur and Muzaffarpur. (Press Information Bureau)
- Location: Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Services: Medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, diagnostics and comprehensive cancer care
- Financial support: Ayushman Bharat, government assistance and hospital/charitable support, subject to eligibility
Tata Memorial Centre – Official Website
2. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
AIIMS New Delhi is one of India’s premier government medical institutions and has extensive cancer treatment facilities through the Dr B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH) and other departments.
Its Medical Social Service and Patient Welfare units help eligible cancer patients access financial assistance through Ayushman Bharat, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and other sources. AIIMS also facilitates free medicines and surgical items for poor patients and can provide exemptions from certain hospital charges after socio-economic assessment. (AIIMS)
- Location: New Delhi
- Services: Medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, haematology-oncology and cancer surgery
- Financial support: AB-PMJAY, RAN, patient welfare funds and other assistance, depending on eligibility
AIIMS New Delhi – Official Website
3. Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), Kolkata
The Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI) is an autonomous cancer institute under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and operates campuses at Hazra and New Town in Kolkata.
CNCI provides comprehensive oncology services including surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, paediatric oncology, haematology-oncology and palliative care.
The institute is empanelled under several government schemes, including Ayushman Bharat, Swasthya Sathi, CGHS and West Bengal Health Scheme, enabling eligible patients to access cashless or subsidized treatment.
CNCI’s published tariff also shows significantly lower charges in its general categories compared with private categories. (cnci.ac.in)
- Location: Kolkata, West Bengal
- Services: Cancer surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, paediatric oncology, haematology-oncology and palliative care
- Financial support: Ayushman Bharat, Swasthya Sathi, RAN and other assistance
CNCI Kolkata – Official Website
4. National Cancer Institute (NCI), Nagpur
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Nagpur, is an important addition to any list of affordable cancer treatment centres in India.
Located at Jamtha in Nagpur, NCI provides comprehensive cancer treatment and has a dedicated financial-planning system to help patients access different government and health-insurance schemes.
According to NCI’s official information, the hospital provides cashless inpatient and/or outpatient treatment under several schemes, including Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY), Employee State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and Maharashtra government employee schemes.
Under MJPJAY, eligible Maharashtra residents with qualifying Orange or Yellow ration cards can access treatment for medical, radiation and surgical oncology, subject to the scheme’s rules. NCI lists the ration card and Aadhaar card or applicable Tahasildar documentation among the required documents.
This makes NCI particularly relevant for cancer patients from Nagpur, Vidarbha and other parts of Maharashtra who may qualify for cashless treatment.
- Location: Jamtha, Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Services: Medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology and supportive cancer care
- Financial support: MJPJAY, ESIC, CGHS and other eligible schemes
National Cancer Institute, Nagpur – Official Website
Also Read: Now Know 10 Best Government Hospitals in Mumbai
5. Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI), Ahmedabad
The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI) in Ahmedabad is a major Regional Cancer Centre providing cancer care to patients from Gujarat and neighbouring states.
GCRI specifically states that it aims to provide cancer care at an affordable cost and supports patients through schemes including Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY), MA and MA Vatsalya, SC/ST schemes, government employee schemes and assistance for low-income groups. (gcriindia.org)
This makes GCRI an important option for patients looking for high-volume government-supported cancer care without the costs typically associated with private hospitals.
- Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Services: Medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, diagnostics and cancer prevention
- Financial support: PM-JAY, MA/MAVatsalya and other government schemes
Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute – Official Website
6. MNJ Institute of Oncology, Hyderabad
The MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre is a major government cancer hospital in Hyderabad serving a large number of economically disadvantaged patients.
The institute itself notes that many of its patients come from the poorest sections of society and that charitable support is used to provide assistance for hospital stay, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, cancer surgery, diagnostics, palliative care, medicines, food and transportation. (mnjiorcc.in)
MNJ is therefore particularly relevant for families who may struggle to afford prolonged cancer treatment.
- Location: Hyderabad, Telangana
- Services: Cancer surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, diagnostics and palliative care
- Financial support: Government and charitable assistance, depending on eligibility
MNJ Institute of Oncology – Official Website
7. Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Thiruvananthapuram
The Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Thiruvananthapuram, is a State Cancer Institute supported by the Government of Kerala and Government of India.
The centre has a dedicated patient welfare system for people who cannot afford cancer treatment. The Kerala Health Department states that patients unable to afford treatment can be linked with various government and non-government financial assistance schemes. RCC also provides support through free food and a free medicine bank for eligible patients. (Kerala Health)
Kerala’s Cancer Suraksha Scheme also provides free treatment for eligible children with cancer at designated hospitals, including RCC Thiruvananthapuram. (Social Justice Department, Kerala)
- Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Services: Medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, haematology-oncology and palliative care
- Financial support: Kerala government schemes, RAN, patient welfare programmes and charitable assistance
Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram – Official Website
8. PGIMER, Chandigarh
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh is a leading government tertiary-care institution and houses a Regional Cancer Centre.
Its Department of Radiotherapy & Oncology provides comprehensive cancer treatment, while PGIMER also has clinical haematology and medical oncology services. (PGIMER)
Importantly for financially weaker patients, PGIMER states that test charges can be partially or fully waived for poor patients on the recommendation of the treating consultant and Medical Superintendent. It also provides affordable accommodation for needy patients through its Sarai facilities. (PGIMER)
- Location: Chandigarh
- Services: Radiation oncology, medical oncology, haematology-oncology, cancer surgery and related tertiary care
- Financial support: Subsidized hospital services and financial assistance pathways, subject to eligibility
PGIMER Chandigarh – Official Website
9. Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow
SGPGIMS Lucknow is a major government tertiary-care institution in Uttar Pradesh and is among the centres where eligible poor cancer patients can seek assistance through government-funded programmes.
The Health Ministry’s guidelines for the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund include SGPGIMS, Lucknow among institutions where eligible patients can receive financial assistance for cancer treatment. (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)
Patients should approach the hospital’s medical social service or relevant welfare desk to understand whether their treatment can be supported through PM-JAY, RAN or other applicable programmes.
- Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Services: Medical and surgical oncology, radiotherapy and advanced tertiary cancer care
- Financial support: Government health schemes and financial assistance programmes, subject to eligibility
- Official website: sgpgims.org.in
10. JIPMER, Puducherry
The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) is a central government medical institute in Puducherry offering advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment.
JIPMER is also among the institutions included in government frameworks for financial assistance to eligible cancer patients. The Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund/Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi framework includes designated government cancer centres and institutes for assistance to poor patients. (Press Information Bureau)
For patients from southern India, JIPMER can therefore be an important government option when the cost of cancer treatment is a major concern.
- Location: Puducherry
- Services: Oncology, cancer surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and related tertiary care
- Financial support: Government schemes and institutional assistance, subject to eligibility
11. Dr B. Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati
The Dr B. Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI) in Guwahati is an important cancer centre serving Assam and patients from the wider Northeast.
BBCI is part of the Tata Memorial Centre network and is included among the cancer institutions supported through India’s broader public cancer-care infrastructure. Tata Memorial Centre’s network includes BBCI along with several other regional cancer centres. (Press Information Bureau)
The institute provides comprehensive cancer services and can be particularly valuable for patients in the Northeast who might otherwise have to travel to Mumbai or other metropolitan cities for treatment.
- Location: Guwahati, Assam
- Services: Medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, diagnostics and supportive care
- Financial support: Government schemes and institutional/charitable assistance, subject to eligibility
Dr B. Borooah Cancer Institute – Official Website
How to Get Free or Low-Cost Cancer Treatment in India?
Finding the right hospital is only the first step. Patients should also ask about financial assistance before starting expensive treatment.
Also Read: 10 Government Health Schemes Offering Free Medical Care in India
1. Check Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY eligibility
Eligible families can receive cashless treatment under AB-PMJAY, including oncology-related medical, surgical and radiation services at empanelled hospitals. The current national programme covers ₹5 lakh per family per year for eligible beneficiaries. (Press Information Bureau)
2. Ask about the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund
Poor cancer patients who meet the eligibility requirements may receive financial assistance of up to ₹15 lakh under HMCPF, a component of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi. The assistance is generally released to the treating hospital rather than directly to the patient. (Press Information Bureau)
3. Speak to the Medical Social Worker
Do not assume that you have to pay the full hospital bill.
Ask the hospital for its Medical Social Service, Medical Social Welfare Unit, Patient Welfare Department or financial assistance desk. These departments can help identify applicable government schemes, charitable funds and exemptions.
4. Carry the right documents
Depending on the scheme, patients may be asked for documents such as:
- Aadhaar card or other identity proof
- Income certificate
- Ration card/NFSA documentation
- Ayushman Bharat card, if applicable
- State health scheme card
- Cancer diagnosis and biopsy reports
- Doctor’s treatment estimate
- Bank details and other supporting documents
Requirements vary between schemes and hospitals, so check before travelling.
5. Ask whether treatment is covered before admission
“Free treatment” does not necessarily mean every expense is automatically covered.
Before admission, ask:
Is the surgery covered? Is chemotherapy covered? Are medicines covered? Is radiotherapy covered? What about scans, blood products, implants and follow-up treatment?
Getting these answers in advance can prevent unexpected expenses.
Conclusion
A cancer diagnosis can be emotionally and financially overwhelming, but lack of money should not automatically mean giving up on treatment.
Government cancer centres and charitable institutions across India provide treatment at significantly lower costs than many private hospitals, while schemes such as Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund can provide additional financial protection to eligible patients. (Press Information Bureau)
The hospitals listed above — from Tata Memorial Hospital and AIIMS Delhi to RCC Thiruvananthapuram, GCRI Ahmedabad, MNJ Hyderabad and PGIMER Chandigarh — are among the important institutions patients can explore when affordability is a major concern.
Most importantly, do not delay cancer evaluation or treatment simply because you are worried about the cost. Ask the hospital about government schemes, subsidized categories, charitable funds and patient welfare services as early as possible.
Disclaimer: This list is intended for general information and is not a ranking of hospitals by medical quality. Availability of free or subsidized treatment depends on the patient’s eligibility, treatment required, hospital policy, government scheme rules and available funds. Schemes and hospital policies can change, so patients should verify the latest information directly with the hospital or relevant government authority before making travel or treatment decisions.
