Supreme Court asks 19 States, UTs to declare cancer 'notifiable disease' for early detection
The Supreme Court of India has directed the remaining 19 States and Union Territories to declare cancer a 'notifiable disease' to improve early detection and patient care. This follows a PIL seeking a uniform national policy for reporting cancer cases.
Why it matters
Mandatory notification is a critical step in public health surveillance, allowing for better data collection and resource allocation to combat rising cancer burdens.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) asked the 19 remaining States and Union Territories to declare cancer a "notifiable disease" to ensure early detection and proper care of patients.
The Supreme Court's direction came after it was informed that 17 of the 36 States and UTs have so far notified cancer as a "notified disease" in light of the recommendations made in a Parliamentary Standing Committee report.
The Court had, on December 12, 2025, issued notices and sought responses from the Centre and all the States and UTs on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) matter filed by renowned doctor Anurag Srivastava, seeking a direction to declare cancer a "notifiable disease" across the country to ensure early detection and proper care of patients.
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