GS2 – Governance
Context:
The IndiaAI Independent Business Division (IBD), in partnership with the National Cancer Grid (NCG), launched the CATCH Grant Program to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer healthcare across India.
Key Features:
- Objective:
- Support AI-driven solutions to enhance cancer screening, diagnostic accuracy, clinical decision-making, and operational efficiency.
- Encourage scalable innovations suitable for diverse healthcare settings, from urban hospitals to rural clinics.
- Funding Support:
- Grants of up to ₹50 lakh per project for eligible applicants.
- Additional ₹1 crore for projects demonstrating high scale-up potential, incentivising sustainable and nationally implementable solutions.
- Eligibility:
- Open to start-ups, health-tech enterprises, academic institutions, and public or private hospitals.
- Inclusive criteria aim to harness innovation across the healthcare delivery and research ecosystem.
- Implementation Focus:
- Emphasis on responsible AI development, clinical validation, and deployment readiness in real-world Indian healthcare environments.
- Focus on patient safety, ethical AI adoption, accuracy, and adaptability to local healthcare challenges.
- Organising Body:
- IndiaAI IBD, under the Digital India Corporation (Ministry of Electronics and IT), works to advance India’s AI capabilities, promote self-reliance, and ensure ethical, equitable AI adoption across sectors, including health.
Significance:
- Expected to accelerate AI adoption in oncology, reduce diagnostic delays, and improve treatment outcomes.
- Supports India’s vision of a technologically empowered, efficient, and equitable healthcare system.