India’s First Lung Cancer Treatment Guidelines | 09 Feb 2026

Source: PIB 

The Union Health Minister released India’s first nationally developed, evidence-based Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation Guidelines to standardise care and improve patient outcomes across the country.  

Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation Guidelines 

• Objective: To provide a standardised, evidence-based framework for diagnosis, treatment and palliative care of lung cancer across India, reducing variations in clinical practice across public and private healthcare systems. 
• Core Features: The guidelines contain 15 evidence-based recommendations, covering both treatment and palliation, developed through systematic evidence synthesis and adapted to Indian healthcare realities. 
• Focus Areas: Emphasis on early diagnosis, strengthened screening for high-risk populations, standardised treatment pathways, and improved palliative care services. 
• Institutional Support: Developed by the Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in collaboration with leading oncology experts and partner institutions.