The National Conference on Rare Diseases, organized by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi on May 5-6, aims to enhance India's approach to managing rare diseases. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted the increased financial assistance for treatment to ₹50 lakh (approximately $60,000 USD) and the government's efforts to exempt certain life-saving drugs from customs duty. The conference also focused on raising awareness and building capacity across states, with an emphasis on early diagnosis and genetic testing. Initiatives such as the UMMID programme and NIDAN Kendras are already providing support to around 1,800 patients. Dr. Rajiv Bahl from the Department of Health Research discussed advancements in rare disease research, including repurposed drugs and gene therapy technologies like CAR-T cell therapy. The conference underscores the need for integrated care networks to ensure timely treatment for patients with rare conditions.