The National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) was commenced by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) with a network of cancer registries across the country in December 1981.
The main objectives of this Programme were:
1. To generate reliable data on the magnitude and patterns of cancer
2. Undertake epidemiological studies based on results of registry data
3. Help in designing, planning, monitoring and evaluation of cancer control activities under the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP)
4. Develop training programmes in cancer registration and epidemiology.

With these objectives three Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) at Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai and three Hospital Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs) at Chandigarh, Dibrugarh and Thiruvananthapuram were commenced from 1 January 1982. The PBCRs have gradually expanded over the years and as of now there are 23 PBCRs under the NCRP network .