Cancer Incidence Patterns Across Indian States: Analysis of NCRP Data, 2022–2024

Background Cancer is an increasing public health concern in India, with clear differences in burden across regions. The National Cancer Registry Programme provides important data to track these patterns and support planning. However, recent summaries comparing states and Union Territories are limited. Objective To describe national and regional patterns in reported cancer incidence across India using NCRP data from 2022 to 2024, and to examine recent trends in overall burden. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using secondary data from the National Cancer Registry Programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research. Annual totals of reported cancer cases for all states and Union Territories were analysed for the period 2022 to 2024. The analysis focused on national totals, state wise distribution, and changes over time. No statistical testing was done due to the aggregated nature of the data. Results Reported cancer cases in India increased steadily during the study period, from 1,461,427 cases in 2022 to 1,533,055 in 2024. Most states and Union Territories showed a consistent rise. Higher numbers were seen in large states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Smaller states and Union Territories reported fewer cases but still showed gradual increases over time. Conclusion Cancer incidence in India is rising, reflecting both a growing burden and improvements in detection and reporting. Differences across regions remain important. Strengthening cancer registries and improving state level planning will be key. NCRP data continue to play an important role in tracking trends, though more detailed analysis is needed to guide targeted action.