IndiaAI CATCH Program to Accelerate AI Cancer Innovations

Launch of the CATCH Program

IndiaAI CATCH Program to Accelerate AI Cancer Innovations: The IndiaAI Independent Business Division (IBD), in collaboration with the National Cancer Grid (NCG), has launched the Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH) to revolutionise cancer care in India. This initiative will accelerate AI-based innovations in screening, diagnosis, treatment support, and hospital operations.

Static GK fact: The NCG was established in 2012 to standardise and improve cancer treatment nationwide.

Funding and Grant Structure

The program offers Pilot Grants of up to ₹50 lakh for 10 shortlisted proposals. Successful pilot projects can receive Scale-Up Grants of ₹1 crore to enable nationwide deployment. Funding will be jointly provided by IndiaAI and NCG.

The selected AI solutions will be piloted in NCG hospital networks and scaled up based on clinical performance and operational feasibility.

Static GK Tip: ₹1 crore equals 10 million Indian rupees.

Focus Areas of AI Innovation

The CATCH program focuses on:

• AI-enabled cancer screening
• Advanced diagnostics and imaging analysis
• Clinical decision support tools
• Patient engagement and monitoring platforms
• Hospital operational efficiency solutions
• Research and healthcare data curation technologies

These categories aim to bridge the gap between AI research and real-world medical application.

Eligible Applicants

The program invites applications from:

• Startups and health tech enterprises
• Academic and research organisations
• Public and private hospitals

Joint proposals from Clinical Leads and Technical Leads are encouraged to ensure innovation aligns with clinical needs.

Static GK fact: India is the world’s second-most populous country, with over 1.4 billion people — making scalable healthcare solutions crucial.

Emphasis on Responsible AI

The initiative prioritises ethical AI aligned with Indian healthcare requirements. All solutions must undergo clinical validation before deployment. Responsible AI practices will ensure patient data security and transparency in algorithmic decisions.

Static GK Tip: The Digital India Corporation oversees initiatives that integrate technology into governance and services.

Application Timeline

The application deadline is September 2, 2025, through the official IndiaAI CATCH Program Portal. Shortlisted projects will move into pilot deployment, with successful models expanding to nationwide coverage.

About the Organisers

IndiaAI operates under the Digital India Corporation, Ministry of Electronics and IT, with a mission to democratise AI access and foster innovation.
NCG is a vast network of cancer hospitals, research centres, and organisations dedicated to improving cancer treatment quality and accessibility across India.

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IndiaAI CATCH Program to Accelerate AI Cancer Innovations: