Posted On:
12 NOV 2026 8:40PM by PIB Delhi
India has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against tuberculosis (TB), recording a 38% reduction in TB mortality since 2015, compared to a global decline of 35%, alongside an impressive 94% treatment success rate among patients with drug-susceptible TB. These achievements, highlighted in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2026, released on 12th November 2026, reflect India's sustained progress towards eliminating TB through early detection, timely treatment, technological innovation and comprehensive patient care.
India's reduction in TB mortality highlights the country's strong performance in reducing TB-related deaths. The progress reflects the impact of intensified interventions under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), including proactive case finding including use of AI enabled X-rays, rapid diagnostics, prompt treatment initiation, differentiated TB care, and nutritional support through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana and Ni-kshay Mitra initiative. These interventions were supported by AI tools for identification of hotspots, prediction of high-risk TB cases prone for adverse outcomes, Khushi - AI Chatbot & Avatar Videobot, etc.
The high treatment success rate of 94% further demonstrates the effectiveness of India's patient-centred approach, strengthened treatment delivery and sustained support for people affected by TB.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India's fight against TB has evolved into a nationwide Jan Andolan, bringing together government institutions, healthcare professionals, communities and citizens in pursuit of a TB-Mukt Bharat. Guided by the Prime Minister's emphasis on Jan Bhagidari, the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has accelerated community-based screening, AI-enabled chest X-rays, rapid molecular diagnostics, TB preventive treatment and nutritional support, taking essential services closer to vulnerable populations.
India's commitment is further reflected in 96% of TB programme funding requirements being met through domestic resources, demonstrating sustained national investment, strong political commitment and a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to TB elimination.
TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: Over 25 Crore People Brought Under Intensified Screening
The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has emerged as a major driver of India's accelerated TB elimination efforts, transforming the approach to TB detection through proactive screening, technology-enabled diagnostics and community outreach.
The first intensified 100-day campaign, launched on 7 December 2024 across 347 high-priority districts in 33 States and Union Territories, was subsequently expanded nationwide to strengthen early detection, particularly among vulnerable and high-risk populations. Building upon the learnings and momentum generated, another intensified 100 Days campaign was launched by the Government on 24th March 2026, focussing on TB screening in 1.58 lakh high risk villages & wards, congregate settings & vulnerable population.
Between 7 December 2024 and 8th November 2026, the Abhiyaan achieved significant progress:
- Over 25 crore individuals identified and brought within the ambit of TB screening activities.
- More than 11 crore chest X-rays conducted to strengthen early detection.
- Over 3 crore nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) conducted for rapid and accurate diagnosis.
- 48.64 lakh new TB cases identified, including 14.97 lakh asymptomatic cases.
The detection of nearly 15 lakh asymptomatic cases is particularly significant, demonstrating the effectiveness of proactive screening in identifying individuals who might otherwise remain undiagnosed. Early identification facilitates timely treatment and provides opportunities to reduce TB transmission and prevent severe disease.
The Abhiyaan also focuses on prompt treatment initiation, differentiated patient care, nutritional assistance and continued community-based support to improve treatment outcomes. With these efforts, 67933 Panchayats have been declared TB Free in 2025.
Technology and Innovation Transforming TB Diagnosis and Care
India is increasingly leveraging advanced technologies to make TB screening and diagnosis faster, more accurate and accessible.
The deployment of portable AI-enabled digital X-rays, expansion of rapid molecular diagnostic technologies, including NAAT, and strengthening of diagnostic infrastructure have significantly enhanced the programme's ability to reach populations across diverse geographical and social settings.
The Ni-kshay digital platform supports patient tracking, treatment monitoring and programme management, strengthening continuity of care and timely interventions.
The integration of TB screening with the identification and management of diabetes, undernutrition and other comorbidities is further enabling comprehensive and patient-centred treatment.
Nutritional support remains a key pillar of India's TB response. Through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, eligible patients receive financial assistance towards nutritional requirements during treatment, while the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative mobilises individuals, institutions and organisations to provide nutritional and psychosocial support.
These interventions, together with improved diagnostics and patient follow-up, are contributing to stronger treatment outcomes and reduced TB mortality.
India's TB Progress Backed by Robust Scientific Surveillance and Evidence
India's achievements are also supported by strengthened epidemiological surveillance, scientific research and evidence-based TB estimation.
The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 has incorporated evidence from multiple complementary sources, including the Registrar General of India's Sample Registration System (RGI/SRS), community-based verbal autopsy assessments and programme data from the Ni-kshay portal, to strengthen TB mortality estimation.
Based on these assessments, the report documents a 38% reduction in India's estimated TB mortality with the rate decreasing from 28 per lakh of the population in 2015 to 18 per lakh of the population in 2025.
The Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (ICMR-NIRT) conducted a nationally representative TB prevalence survey in 2025, which has been shared with WHO & is under technical discussions, following which WHO will publish an updated country profile for India.
Jan Bhagidari: Making TB Elimination a People's Movement
A defining feature of India's TB elimination efforts has been the mobilisation of communities and institutions as active partners in the national mission.
The participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions, urban local bodies, elected representatives, civil society organisations, private healthcare providers, corporate partners and community leaders has strengthened awareness, screening, nutritional assistance and patient support at the grassroots level.
The Ni-kshay Mitra initiative has further encouraged citizens and institutions to directly contribute to the recovery and well-being of people undergoing TB treatment, reinforcing the spirit of collective responsibility.
Building on this momentum, the JOSH Teams initiative is bringing greater youth participation into the TB elimination movement. Teams are being constituted at block and ward levels, led by designated Class-I officers and supported by five NCC cadets and five MY Bharat volunteers.
Through awareness generation, community outreach and mobilisation, JOSH Teams are helping strengthen grassroots participation and advance the vision of a TB-Mukt Bharat.
Sustaining the Momentum Towards a TB-Mukt Bharat
The achievements highlighted in the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 reflect India's sustained investments in public health, technological innovation, scientific surveillance and community-driven interventions.
The 38% decline in TB mortality, 94% treatment success rate and unprecedented scale of screening under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan mark important progress in India's journey towards TB elimination.
The Government will continue to build on these gains through intensified screening, expanded access to quality diagnostics, prompt and effective treatment, TB preventive treatment, nutritional assistance and deeper community engagement.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India remains firmly committed to accelerating progress towards global TB targets and realising the vision of a TB-Mukt Bharat, working in close collaboration with WHO, research institutions, States and Union Territories, development partners and communities.
TB Harega, Desh Jeetega!
*****
SR
HFW/WHO World TB Report 2026/12 November 2026/1