New Delhi: India has recorded a 38% decline in tuberculosis (TB) mortality since 2015, outperforming the global reduction of 35%, while achieving a 94% treatment success rate among patients with drug susceptible TB, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2026.
The findings, released by WHO on November 12, highlight India’s progress in strengthening TB prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment through the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
According to the report, India’s estimated TB mortality rate declined from 28 deaths per lakh population in 2015 to 18 deaths per lakh in 2025, representing a 38% reduction.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda highlighted the achievement on November 13, reaffirming the government’s commitment to making India TB free through improved healthcare services, technology and community participation.
Over 25 Crore People Covered Under TB Screening
The government’s TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has significantly expanded screening and early detection activities across the country.
Between December 7, 2024, and November 8, 2026, the campaign achieved the following:
- More than 25 crore people covered under intensified TB screening.
- Over 11 crore chest X-rays conducted.
- More than 3 crore molecular diagnostic tests performed.
- 48.64 lakh new TB cases detected.
- Nearly 14.97 lakh asymptomatic TB cases identified.
The identification of people with TB who do not show typical symptoms highlights the importance of proactive screening and early diagnosis.
AI Technology Strengthens TB Detection
India is increasingly using modern technology to improve TB diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Key initiatives include:
- AI enabled portable digital chest X-rays for early detection.
- Rapid molecular diagnostic tests, including Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT).
- AI-based tools to identify disease hotspots and predict high risk patients.
- The Ni-kshay digital platform for patient tracking and treatment monitoring.
- Khushi AI Chatbot and Avatar Videobot to support communication and awareness.
These technologies are helping healthcare workers identify cases earlier and improve access to diagnostic services, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Nutritional Support for TB Patients
- Nutritional assistance remains an important part of India’s TB elimination strategy.
- Under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, eligible TB patients receive financial assistance to support their nutritional requirements during treatment.
- The Ni-kshay Mitra initiative also encourages individuals, organisations and institutions to provide nutritional and psychosocial assistance to people affected by TB.
- The government says these initiatives, combined with timely diagnosis, treatment and regular patient follow up, are contributing to improved treatment outcomes.
67,933 Panchayats Declared TB-Free
- Community participation has become an important part of India’s TB elimination efforts.
- According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 67,933 Panchayats were declared TB-free in 2025.
- The government is also expanding youth participation through the JOSH Teams initiative, which brings together government officials, NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers to support awareness campaigns, community outreach and mobilisation at the grassroots level.
India Meets 96% of TB Programme Funding Through Domestic Resources
- India is meeting approximately 96% of its TB programme funding requirements through domestic resources, according to the government.
- The investment supports screening, diagnostic facilities, treatment services, preventive measures, nutritional assistance and community based programmes.
- Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (ICMR-NIRT) conducted a nationally representative TB prevalence survey in 2025. The findings have been shared with WHO and are undergoing technical discussions before an updated country profile is published.
Continued Efforts Towards a TB Free India
- The latest WHO report highlights progress in reducing TB related deaths and improving treatment outcomes. However, the detection of millions of TB cases through intensified screening demonstrates that tuberculosis remains an important public health challenge.
- The government has stated that it will continue strengthening early diagnosis, access to quality treatment, preventive care, nutritional assistance and community participation.
- India’s continued efforts aim to accelerate progress towards the national vision of a TB Mukt Bharat.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026.
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