India TB incidence decline 2025 shows 21% drop; PM Modi hails WHO report. Learn about TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana, and India’s public health achievements.
India Achieves Historic Decline in TB Cases: PM Modi Hails WHO Report
A Major Milestone in Public Health
In a landmark public health achievement, India has recorded a 21% drop in tuberculosis (TB) incidence between 2015 and 2024, according to the WHO Global TB Report 2025. The rate fell from 237 cases per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024, which is nearly double the global average decline of 12%.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as “remarkable momentum” toward the vision of a TB-Mukt Bharat (TB-free India).
Key Health Indicators Show Strong Improvement
The WHO report highlights several critical improvements:
- Mortality Reduction: TB deaths in HIV-negative individuals have dropped from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 21 per lakh in 2024.
- Treatment Coverage: India’s treatment coverage reached 92% in 2024, a dramatic rise from around 53% in 2015.
- Treatment Success Rate: The success rate of TB therapy increased to 90%, surpassing the global average of 88%.
- Missing Cases: The number of undiagnosed or “missing” TB cases has declined from 15 lakh in 2015 to less than 1 lakh in 2024.
- Drug-Resistant TB Testing: Rifampicin-resistance testing coverage is now 92%, higher than the global average of 83%.
TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: Driving Force of Change
A pivotal role in this success has been played by the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, launched in December 2024. This initiative uses a tech-enabled, community-driven strategy involving:
- Screening of over 19 crore vulnerable individuals
- Diagnosing 24.5 lakh TB patients, including 8.61 lakh asymptomatic cases
- Deployment of AI-powered handheld X-ray devices for faster, more efficient screening
- Expansion of molecular diagnostics (NAAT testing) to boost case detection
Financial & Social Backing Strengthens TB Elimination Drive
India has significantly scaled up its financial commitment: over the past nine years, the annual budget for the national TB programme has increased tenfold. Through the Ni‑kshay Poshan Yojana, more than ₹4,406 crore has been disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfers to TB patients since April 2018.
Community participation is also strong: around 6.77 lakh Ni-Kshay Mitras, including 2 lakh youth volunteers (My Bharat), are helping distribute nutrition baskets and offering psychosocial support to TB patients.
Strengthening Laboratory Infrastructure & Personalized Care
India has now established the world’s largest TB lab network, which includes:
- 9,391 rapid molecular testing labs
- 107 culture and drug-susceptibility testing labs
- Over 500 AI‑based portable X-ray units, with 1,500 more planned
- Decentralized services through 1.78 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, improving access to care
Moreover, India is now providing personalized TB treatment for high-risk patients. Treatment plans are tailored based on comorbidities, clinical severity, and socioeconomic factors. ASHA workers are being trained to detect early signs of TB and refer cases swiftly.
Why This News Is Important
Public Health Significance
This decline signals a major victory in India’s fight against one of its most persistent infectious diseases. TB has long been a public health challenge in India, and reducing both incidence and mortality means fewer people dying or suffering from the disease. Such progress has far-reaching implications for healthcare infrastructure and population well-being.
Policy and Governance Impact
The achievement highlights the effectiveness of the Indian government’s strategies — specifically, the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, advanced diagnostics, and strong community involvement. For civil service aspirants, this underscores how policy, funding, and technology can work together to drive large-scale public health results.
Exam Relevance
For students preparing for government exams (teaching, banking, railways, civil services, defence), this news is highly relevant as it ties into public health schemes, government initiatives, and SDG targets. Questions related to TB elimination, WHO reports, or flagship Indian health programmes could appear in general awareness, current affairs, or policy‑based sections of competitive exams.
Historical Context: How India Reached Here
The Burden of TB in India
India has long been one of the world’s highest TB-burden countries. For decades, TB remained endemic due to overcrowding, poverty, limited access to diagnostics, and weak health systems.
National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP)
To tackle this, the Government of India launched and scaled up the National TB Elimination Programme (formerly RNTCP), investing in infrastructure, awareness, and treatment. Key tools included molecular diagnostics (like NAAT) and drug-susceptibility testing.
Ni‑kshay Poshan Yojana & Community Participation
Under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana, patients receive direct benefit transfers (DBTs) to support nutrition during treatment. Simultaneously, the government mobilized Ni-Kshay Mitras — volunteers from local communities — to raise awareness, assist patients, and help in early detection.
The Push for TB-Free India by 2025
India committed to eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of many global targets. To accelerate progress, the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan was launched (December 2024), combining mass screening, use of AI-based X-rays, and aggressive community outreach.
Role of Technology
Adoption of AI-based diagnostic tools, portable X-ray units, and expanded lab infrastructure played a crucial role. The scale-up of rifampicin-resistance testing and molecular labs also strengthened India’s ability to detect and treat drug-resistant TB.
Key Takeaways from This News
| # | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | India’s TB incidence fell by 21% between 2015 (237 per lakh) and 2024 (187 per lakh). |
| 2. | TB mortality (HIV-negative) dropped from 28 to 21 per lakh, signaling better outcomes. |
| 3. | Treatment coverage rose to 92% in 2024, up from about 53% in 2015. |
| 4. | The number of “missing” or unreported TB cases fell from 15 lakh (2015) to less than 1 lakh (2024). |
| 5. | Drug-resistant TB testing (rifampicin) coverage is 92%, better than the global average of 83%. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the current TB incidence rate in India according to WHO 2025 report?
India’s TB incidence rate in 2024 is 187 per lakh population, showing a 21% decline since 2015.
2. What is the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan?
The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is a government initiative launched in December 2024 to eliminate tuberculosis in India through mass screening, AI-based diagnostics, and community-driven efforts.
3. How many TB patients were diagnosed under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan?
Approximately 24.5 lakh TB patients were diagnosed, including 8.61 lakh asymptomatic cases.
4. What role do Ni-Kshay Mitras play in TB elimination?
Ni-Kshay Mitras are volunteers assisting in patient support, awareness generation, and early detection. About 6.77 lakh volunteers, including 2 lakh youth, are actively engaged.
5. What is the significance of rifampicin-resistance testing?
Rifampicin-resistance testing identifies drug-resistant TB strains, ensuring timely and effective treatment. India now has 92% coverage, above the global average.
6. How has India improved TB treatment success rate?
India’s TB treatment success rate has improved to 90%, supported by better diagnostics, personalized therapy, and strong community programs.
7. What is Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana?
A government scheme providing financial support (DBT) to TB patients to ensure nutrition and adherence to treatment. ₹4,406 crore has been distributed since 2018.
8. Why is this news important for competitive exams?
It highlights India’s health policies, WHO collaboration, TB elimination strategies, and public health achievements, which are relevant for UPSC, banking, railways, and other government exams.
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