Rastriya Arogya Nidhi - Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund
Cancer treatment assistance · up to ₹5 lakh for BPL patients · 27 Regional Cancer Centres
BPL (Below Poverty Line) patients with cancer can receive up to ₹5 lakh in financial assistance (extendable to ₹15 lakh in severe cases) for treatment at any of the 27 designated Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) across India. The scheme covers radiation therapy, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, surgery, and diagnostics including PET scans. Apply offline through the treating doctor or Medical Superintendent at the treating government RCC.
About This Scheme
BPL (Below Poverty Line) patients with cancer can receive up to ₹5 lakh in financial assistance (extendable to ₹15 lakh in severe cases) for treatment at any of the 27 designated Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) across India. The scheme covers radiation therapy, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, surgery, and diagnostics including PET scans. Apply offline through the treating doctor or Medical Superintendent at the treating government RCC.
Full official description
The “Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) within the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN)” was set up in 2009.
It is a scheme to provide financial assistance to poor patients living below poverty line and suffering from cancer, for their treatment at 27 Regional cancer centers (RCCs). Revolving Funds have been created in all the 27 Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) and funds up to Rs. 50 lakhs will be placed at their disposal.
Benefits
- Up to ₹5,00,000 financial assistance for cancer treatment
- Cases requiring more than ₹5 lakh can be referred to the Ministry — maximum assistance up to ₹15,00,000
- Covers: all types of radiation therapy (including Gamma Knife, GRT, MRT, Brachytherapy)
- Covers: anti-cancer chemotherapy with supportive and hormonal medication
- Covers: bone marrow transplantation (allogenic and autologous)
- Covers: diagnostic procedures including PET scan
- Covers: surgery for operable malignant tumours
💡 Why Startups Should Care
This scheme is for cancer patients below the poverty line — not directly for startups. But if your healthcare startup serves BPL patients or works with Regional Cancer Centres, understanding this fund helps you design referral pathways for your users.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Patient must be living below the poverty line (BPL)
- Must be undergoing cancer treatment at one of the 27 designated Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) only
- Central Government, State Government, and PSU employees are NOT eligible
- Assistance is not available where cancer treatment is already provided free of cost
Exclusions
- Not available to Central Government employees
- Not available to State Government employees
- Not available to PSU employees
- Does not cover treatments already available free of cost elsewhere
How to Apply
- Download the prescribed application form from the RAN guidelines at mohfw.gov.in (page 10–12)
- Fill the form accurately in the prescribed format
- Get the form signed by your treating doctor and the Head of Department
- Get it countersigned by the Medical Superintendent of the treating government hospital
- Submit the completed form with all required documents at the concerned government hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether Central /State Government /PSU Employees Are Eligible For Financial Assistance?
No, Central /State Government /PSU employees are not eligible for the scheme.
Whether re-imbursement of medical expenditure already incurred is permissible?
In those cases of cancer patients, found eligible for financial assistance under RAN, medical treatment/operation in the interim period, between date of receipt of application form for assistance under Ran (complete in all respects) and date of communication of sanction for financial assistance under RAN, is permissible for assistance under RAN, within the sanctioned limit. Accordingly, reimbursement shall be allowed, of medical expenses already borne by the cancer patient and paid to the hospital/institute concerned within the sanctioned limit. Reimbursement of medical expenditure, of those cases of cancer patients, already incurred prior to date of receipt of application form (complete in all respects) for financial assistance under RAN, shall not be permissible.
What Is The Time Limit Set By The Grants Section To Process The Request Of The Applicant For Financial Limit.?
The application complete in all respect is processed with in a period of one month.
Whether The Grants Are Released In The Name Of The Patients.
The grants are released to the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, where the patient is being treated.
How Much Assistance Is Given To Each Patient?
Financial assistance of [?]5,00,000/- is provided towards treatment. Maximum financial assistance admissible under the Scheme will be [?]15,00,000/-.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Application form signed by treating doctor and countersigned by Medical Superintendent
- Monthly income certificate from Block/Tehsildar/SDM certifying BPL status (original)
- Ration card copy attested by a Gazetted Officer with official seal