Budget 2026–27: Customs duty removed on 17 cancer drugs, expands rare disease relief

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced the elimination of the basic customs duty on 17 cancer-related drugs and medicines while presenting the Union Budget 2026–27, offering significant relief to patients. She also added that seven more rare diseases will be included under customs duty relief.

The decision is intended to make life-saving treatments more affordable and expand access to essential therapies, especially for patients who depend on imported medicines for advanced and complex cancers.

While presenting the Budget in Parliament, Sitharaman noted that the duty waiver would help lower the prices of crucial drugs used in various cancer treatments. Imported oncology medicines currently attract basic customs duty, which substantially raises their retail cost. Removing this levy is expected to result in price reductions, easing a major financial burden for cancer patients.

Under the proposal, personal imports of drugs, medicines and foods for special medical purposes used to treat these rare diseases will be exempt from import duties. This measure is likely to particularly help patients who require personalised or specialised therapies that are not produced domestically and are often imported on a named patient basis.

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Sitharaman announces 3 new All India Institute of Ayurveda

Additionally, Finance Minister Sitharaman announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 to set up three new All India Institute of Ayurveda, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. The Budget is also expected to reveal measures to sustain growth momentum, maintain fiscal discipline, and contain reforms that could protect the Indian economy from global trade frictions, which include US tariffs.

Underlining the economic performance of the NDA government, the Finance Minister stated that the economic trajectory of India since 2014 has been marked by stability, fiscal discipline and sustained growth.

"The reform express is well on its way and will maintain its momentum to help us fulfil our duties. Since we assumed office 12 years ago, the country's economic trajectory has been marked by stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation. This is the result of conscious choices we have made even in times of uncertainty and disruptions," said Sitharaman.