The Central Government has extended major financial relief to economically weaker cancer patients through the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) scheme. Under this initiative, eligible patients living below the poverty line (BPL) can receive financial assistance of up to ₹15 lakh for cancer treatment.
The details of the scheme were shared by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. The scheme aims to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent poor patients from accessing life-saving cancer treatment.
The assistance is provided through the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF), which functions under the umbrella of the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi. Funds are released directly to government hospitals or Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) where the patient is undergoing treatment, not to the individual beneficiary.
Eligible patients can receive financial support for advanced and costly procedures, including:
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Cancer-related surgeries
Bone marrow transplantation
To avail benefits under the scheme, patients must undergo treatment only at 27 Regional Cancer Centres recognised by the Central Government.
Treatment in private hospitals is not covered under this scheme. Authorities have also advised patients to apply before starting treatment to ensure faster approval of funds.
The patient must be below the poverty line (BPL)
Proof such as a ration card or income certificate must be submitted
Central or State Government employees and PSU employees are not eligible
The application form is available at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) where the patient is receiving treatment. The following documents are required:
Recommendation and signature of the treating doctor
Certification by the Medical Superintendent of the hospital
Income certificate
Copies of Aadhaar card and ration card
The completed application is submitted to the nodal officer at the hospital, who forwards it to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi for approval.
Patients who are not covered under Ayushman Bharat or State health insurance schemes may find it easier to receive assistance under the RAN fund.
According to official data:
₹27.06 crore was spent under the scheme during the 2024–25 financial year
₹9.14 crore has been released in the current financial year (up to July 16)
A total of 134 economically weaker cancer patients have benefited so far this year
The government clarified that funds are released only after thorough scrutiny and approval by a technical committee.