On World Cancer Day, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras unveiled a first-of-its-kind comprehensive cancer genome database designed to strengthen cancer research and clinical decision-making in India. The database, known as the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA), focuses on genomic data from paediatric leukaemia, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers and aims to fill a longstanding gap in genomic information for cancers prevalent among Indian patients.
Developed as part of the broader Bharat Cancer Genome Grid (BCG2) initiative, the resource is publicly accessible online at bcga.iitm.ac.in to researchers and clinicians both in India and abroad, enabling them to study genetic variants specific to Indian cancer populations. The database was created through whole-genome sequencing of patient samples collected from across the country, with careful protocols for sample preservation and data standardisation.
The project received ₹56 crore in principal funding from the Hyundai Motor India Foundation under its CSR flagship, the Hyundai Hope for Cancer initiative. In addition to research support, the partnership includes a ₹3 crore fund dedicated to cancer treatment for families with limited financial means and the deployment of mobile medical unitsto bring services to underserved regions.
The launch comes against the backdrop of India’s rising cancer burden, with recent data indicating that approximately one in nine people in India may develop cancer during their lifetime and that the country has seen a 12.8 per cent annual increase in cancer incidence since 2022, with around 2.5 million people currently living with cancer.
By cataloguing a curated collection of genetic variants from contemporary Indian cancer patients, the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas is intended to support the identification of cancer-specific biomarkers, enhance early diagnosis, improve disease monitoring, and inform more precise therapeutic strategies tailored to the Indian population.
The initiative also reflects collaborative work with healthcare partners, including Karkinos Healthcare and several Chennai-based hospitals, and contributes to a larger effort to integrate genomic insights into clinical oncology practice in India.
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