Maharashtra Emerges as India’s Second-Highest Cancer-Burdened State; Over 1.27 Lakh Cases Projected for 2024
New Delhi, 12th December 2025: Maharashtra continues to rank among India’s worst-affected states in terms of cancer incidence, with fresh government data revealing a sustained rise in the number of cases over the past three years. Figures presented in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare show that the state recorded 1,21,717 cancer cases in 2022 and 1,24,584 cases in 2023, while estimates for 2024 place the figure at 1,27,512.
The data was provided in response to questions from MPs Supriya Sule and Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh, who sought clarity on the state’s rising disease burden and the adequacy of Maharashtra’s cancer-care infrastructure. Health officials attributed the increasing incidence to factors such as better diagnostic access, longer life expectancy, an ageing population, and lifestyle-related risks including tobacco and alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and reduced physical activity.
Uttar Pradesh Tops the Chart; Maharashtra a Close Second
A nationwide comparison of state-wise estimates for 2024 shows Uttar Pradesh registering the highest cancer incidence, followed by Maharashtra and West Bengal. The projected figures for major states are as follows:
Uttar Pradesh: 2,21,000
Maharashtra: 1,27,512
West Bengal: 1,18,910
Bihar: 1,15,123
Tamil Nadu: 98,386
The overall national cancer load is expected to touch 15.33 lakh cases in 2024, marking a continuing upward trend.
Infrastructure Strengthening Across Maharashtra
To expand specialised cancer care, Maharashtra has one State Cancer Institute (SCI) and two Tertiary Cancer Care Centres (TCCC) approved under the Centre’s tertiary care programme:
Government Medical College, Aurangabad (SCI)
Rashtrasant Tukdoji Regional Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Nagpur (TCCC)
Vivekanand Foundation & Research Centre, Latur (TCCC)
Alongside these centres, leading institutions such as Tata Memorial Hospital, ACTREC, and regional facilities in Nashik and Amravati continue to provide advanced oncology care.
The state informed the Union government that 480 empanelled hospitals, both public and private, are delivering cancer treatment under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. Maharashtra is presently operating 8 Day Care Chemotherapy (DCC) Centres, with approvals granted to establish 26 additional DCC centres.
In an effort to strengthen early detection, the Centre conducted a nationwide screening campaign for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) between 20 February and 31 March 2025. The initiative enabled large-scale screening of individuals aged 30 and above across government health facilities and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Central Funding to Maharashtra Under NP-NCD
Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), Maharashtra received the following allocations:
2022–23: Rs 5,311.21 lakh (expenditure Rs 2,018 lakh)
2023–24: Rs 5,147.52 lakh (expenditure Rs 1,502.83 lakh)
2024–25: Rs 22,614.03 lakh (expenditure Rs 1,669.74 lakh)
