₹1.5 Cr research grant disbursed - As of August 2026. CATCH is now moving into active implementation!
The IndiaAI-NCG Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH) is moving into its next phase - from identifying promising AI innovations to enabling their clinical validation, deployment and scale-up. The programme received an impressive 299 applications, with 35 innovators shortlisted through a structured IndiaAI-NCG evaluation process. While the original programme was designed to support 10 Winners, NCG took a strategic step further and extended support to 18 additional high-potential Finalists, creating a cohort of 28 supported solutions across Categories A, B and C. This expanded portfolio reflects the programme's commitment to bringing a wider range of clinically relevant innovations into the cancer-care ecosystem.
The programme is now looking beyond single-site validation, with support approved for up to two additional NCG centres per solution, with funding of up to ₹10 lakh per implementation with the support of our CSR Partner Axis Bank. Three technology partners have already begun conversations with potential clinical partners, while a dedicated clinical collaboration webinar and solution showcase initiatives are being planned to accelerate hospital-innovator partnerships. Through these efforts, CATCH is evolving from a grant programme into a broader innovation-to-adoption platform, helping promising AI solutions move from development and validation towards real-world clinical impact and scale across the NCG ecosystem.
The National Cancer Grid (NCG) in collaboration with the India AI Mission, are proud to participate in the India AI Summit 2026 - a global convening of AI leaders, policymakers, innovators, and technology enablers.
Our presence at the Summit reflects a shared commitment to accelerate the development and responsible deployment of AI-enabled solutions in cancer care, foster innovation, and strengthen collaboration across India’s healthcare and technology ecosystem.
At the Summit, NCG-KCDO will spotlight emerging AI solutions addressing real-world challenges across the cancer care continuum - from screening and diagnostics to clinical decision support, patient engagement, and research enablement. These solutions have been identified through structured evaluation processes focused on clinical relevance, technical maturity, scalability, and readiness for deployment across NCG institutions.
A key highlight of our participation will be the announcement and recognition of the India AI - NCG CATCH Grant winners along with the unveiling of the CATCH Compendium, a curated collection of 10 high-potential digital health solutions from the India AI - NCG CATCH Grant that showcases innovations addressing priority gaps in cancer care and enables continued collaboration and deployment opportunities across the NCG network.
The Summit provides a global platform to:
Through this engagement, NCG–KCDO aims to:
We look forward to engaging with partners, innovators, and leaders at the India AI Summit 2026 as we collectively shape the future of AI-enabled cancer care in India and beyond.
India AI - NCG CATCH Grant initiative will aim to enhance cancer diagnosis, improve treatment efficiencies,
optimize clinical workflows, and advance research.
To know more about India AI - NCG CATCH Grant: Transforming Cancer Care with AI please click here
Below are our preliminary thoughts on the approach, centered around Accelerate - Promote - Transform Framework
Development of new AI-ML solutions by health tech companies
Use of proven AI-ML solutions across NCG centres
Cancer care by leveraging AI-ML technologies