Rashtriya Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2026

This initiative offers crucial financial support to cancer patients who are living below the poverty line, helping Read More... them get treatment at 27 designated Regional Cancer Centers across India. Read less

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Cancer treatment can be incredibly expensive, putting immense financial strain on families. Recognizing this, the Government of India introduced the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) as part of the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) scheme. It's designed to offer a helping hand to those who need it most.

What Is This Scheme?

The Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund, operational since 2009, is a special component under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi. Its main goal is to provide financial aid to cancer patients who belong to families living below the poverty line. This support is channelled through 27 Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) in the country, ensuring that eligible patients can access necessary medical treatments without the overwhelming burden of costs.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme is specifically for individuals diagnosed with cancer who meet the essential criterion of living below the poverty line. This financial assistance aims to cover significant treatment expenses, making advanced medical care more accessible.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Access to timely and effective cancer treatment is vital for recovery and survival. This fund addresses a critical gap by providing financial relief to the economically weaker sections of society. By supporting treatment at specialized Regional Cancer Centres, the scheme ensures that patients receive quality care, thereby improving their chances of overcoming the disease.

Objective

This initiative offers crucial financial support to cancer patients who are living below the poverty line, helping them get treatment at 27 designated Regional Cancer Centers across India.

Benefits

Eligible applicants are entitled to a lump sum grant of Rs. 20,000/

Sources and references

Details

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant must be an Indian citizen living Below Poverty Line.
The applicant must have been diagnosed with cancer and require treatment.
Treatment must be sought at one of the 27 designated Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) listed under the scheme. These centres include institutions like:
- Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
- Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, Karnataka.
- Regional Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre for Cancer Research & Treatment, Cuttack, Orissa.
- Regional Cancer Control Society, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
- Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
- Indian Rotary Cancer Institute (AIIMS), New Delhi.
- R.S.T. Hospital & Research Centre, Nagpur, Maharashtra.
- Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
- Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.
- Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar.
- Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur.
- Government Medical College & Associated Hospital, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu.
- Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Gujarat Cancer Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
- MNJ Institute of Oncology, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
- Pondicherry Regional Cancer Society, JIPMER, Puducherry.
- Dr. B.B. Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam.
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar.
- Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Trust & Research Institute (RCC), Bikaner, Rajasthan.
- Regional Cancer Centre, Pt. B.D. Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana.
- Civil Hospital, Aizawl, Mizoram.
- Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- Government Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.
- Cancer Hospital, Agartala, Tripura.

How To Apply

To avail assistance under the Health Minister's Cancer Patient Fund, applicants need to follow a structured process:

Obtain the prescribed application form. This form must be completed and duly signed by the treating doctor at a Government hospital or institute.
Get the application form countersigned by the Medical Superintendent of the same Government hospital/institute.
Ensure you have a monthly income certificate for the patient/parents. This certificate should be issued by the Block/Mandal Development Officer, Tehsildar, SDM, Special Officer of a Municipal Board, or District Officer. It must clearly state that the applicant belongs to a family living below the poverty line in their jurisdiction and mention the source of income. An original certificate is required for this purpose.
Submit the completed application form along with all required documents to the designated Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) for processing. Applications for amounts up to ₹2,00,000 are processed at the RCC level. For assistance exceeding this amount, the case is forwarded to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Official Sources:

For detailed guidelines and application forms, please refer to the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare or visit the nearest Regional Cancer Centre.

Documents Required

Application Form: A duly completed application form, signed by the treating doctor and countersigned by the Medical Superintendent of a Government hospital or institute.
Income Certificate: A monthly income certificate for the patient or their parents. This needs to be certified by an authorized local government official (like Block/Mandal Development Officer, Tehsildar, SDM, or District Officer) confirming the family lives below the poverty line and specifying the income source. The original certificate is usually required.
Ration Card Copy: An attested copy of the Ration Card, verified by a Gazetted Officer with an official seal.

FAQ’s

Can I get financial help if my cancer treatment is free somewhere else?

No, this scheme does not provide financial assistance if the treatment is available free of cost elsewhere. The aim is to cover costs where there is a financial burden.

What's the maximum amount of financial aid I can get from this fund?

You can receive up to ₹2,00,000 per patient. In emergency situations, this can go up to ₹5,00,000. However, the highest amount of assistance allowed under the scheme is ₹15,00,000.

How do the Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) use the funds?

The funds are managed as a 'revolving fund' at each RCC. This means the money is allocated to the RCC, allowing them to quickly disburse assistance to patients. As funds are used and replenished, they can help more patients efficiently.

What is the main purpose of the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund?

The core objective is to offer financial support to cancer patients who are living below the poverty line, helping them afford their medical treatment.

If the treatment cost is more than ₹2 lakh, what happens then?

If the required treatment cost goes beyond ₹2,00,000, such cases are sent to the Ministry for further review and processing to determine if additional assistance can be granted.

What types of cancer treatments are covered by this scheme?

The scheme covers various treatments including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, specific diagnostic procedures like PET scans, and surgery for operable tumors.

Who is eligible to apply for this financial aid?

Only individuals who are living Below Poverty Line and are diagnosed with cancer are eligible to apply for this scheme.

Can I get emergency financial aid under this scheme?

Yes, the scheme does provide financial assistance for emergency cases. In such situations, the financial aid can be up to ₹5,00,000.

Are there any specific places where treatment must be received?

Yes, the treatment must be taken at one of the 27 designated Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) that are part of this scheme. Treatment received elsewhere may not be covered.

What is a revolving fund in the context of this scheme?

A revolving fund is a pool of money kept at the Regional Cancer Centres. It's pre-allocated so that financial assistance can be given out quickly to eligible patients when they need it, and the fund is then replenished.

How many cancer treatment centers are associated with this fund?

There are 27 Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) across the country that are empaneled and covered under this scheme.

Do government or public sector employees qualify for this scheme?

No, government employees and employees of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are not eligible to receive financial assistance under this specific scheme component.

How quickly can I expect to get the financial assistance?

Since the funds are managed as a revolving fund at the RCC level for amounts up to ₹2 lakh, the processing and disbursement of assistance are generally quite quick for eligible patients.

Is there an income limit to apply for the scheme?

Yes, the primary condition is that the applicant must belong to the 'Below Poverty Line' category. You will need to provide proof of this through an income certificate.