Cancer drugs to get cheaper after major healthcare reforms in Budget 2025-26

Budget 2025-26: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced the government will establish day care cancer centers in all district hospitals over the next three years (Image: Canva)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that 36 lifesaving drugs and medicines, particularly for cancer and other patients suffering from rare and chronic illnesses, will be added to the list of medicines fully exempt from Basic Customs Duty. Presenting her eighth Union Budget and the first full budget of the government’s third term, the Finance Minister informed that these medicines will be provided free of cost to patients, to ensure they get the "treatment they need without financial strain". Sitharaman added that 6 lifesaving medicines will now attract a concessional customs duty of only 5 percent.

She also added that the government will establish day care cancer centers in all district hospitals over the next three years, to improve access to cancer treatment facilities.

The Finance Minister announced the creation of 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years, to address the growing demand of healthcare professionals in the country. To push technological integration in healthcare, a total of Rs 500 crore has also been allocated to set up AI centres in the country. “This investment in artificial intelligence will help modernize our healthcare delivery systems,” the Finance Minister stated in her speech.

Click to read Full Coverage of Union Budget

The government has allocated ₹98,311 crore for developing, maintaining and improving the country’s healthcare system, higher than ₹89,287 crore in FY25. The government has also allocated ₹2,445 crore for PLI for the pharmaceutical industry