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.
The progress, highlighted in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2026, released on November 12, 2026, reflects the country's sustained efforts towards tuberculosis elimination through early detection, timely treatment, technological innovation and comprehensive patient care.
India's reduction in tuberculosis mortality highlights the country's progress in preventing TB-related deaths.
The improvement reflects the impact of intensified interventions under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), including proactive case finding, the 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 have also been supported by artificial intelligence tools for identifying disease hotspots, predicting high-risk TB cases vulnerable to adverse outcomes, and improving patient engagement through Khushi, an AI chatbot and avatar videobot.
The 94% treatment success rate further demonstrates the effectiveness of India's patient-centred approach, strengthened treatment delivery mechanisms and sustained support for people affected by tuberculosis.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's fight against tuberculosis 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 assistance, taking essential healthcare services closer to vulnerable populations.
India's commitment to tuberculosis elimination is further reflected in the fact that 96% of the TB programme's funding requirements are being met through domestic resources.
This demonstrates sustained national investment, political commitment and a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to eliminating the disease.
TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Brings Over 25 Crore People Under Intensified Screening
The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has emerged as a major driver of India's accelerated tuberculosis elimination efforts, transforming disease detection through proactive screening, technology-enabled diagnostics and community outreach.
The first intensified 100-day campaign was launched on December 7, 2024, across 347 high-priority districts in 33 States and Union Territories. It was subsequently expanded nationwide to strengthen early tuberculosis detection, particularly among vulnerable and high-risk populations.
Building on the experience and momentum generated by the initial campaign, the government launched another intensified 100-day campaign on March 24, 2026.
The campaign focused on tuberculosis screening across 1.58 lakh high-risk villages and wards, congregate settings and vulnerable population groups.
Between December 7, 2024, and November 8, 2026, the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan recorded significant progress:
Over 25 crore individuals were brought within the ambit of tuberculosis screening activities.
More than 11 crore chest X-rays were conducted to strengthen early detection.
Over 3 crore nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) were conducted for rapid and accurate diagnosis.
A total of 48.64 lakh new TB cases were identified, including 14.97 lakh asymptomatic cases.
The identification of nearly 15 lakh asymptomatic tuberculosis cases is particularly significant, demonstrating the effectiveness of proactive screening in detecting individuals who might otherwise remain undiagnosed.
Early identification enables timely treatment, creates opportunities to reduce TB transmission and helps prevent the progression of the disease into severe stages.
The Abhiyaan also focuses on prompt treatment initiation, differentiated patient care, nutritional assistance and continued community-based support to improve treatment outcomes.
As part of these efforts, 67,933 Panchayats were declared TB Free in 2025.
AI and Advanced Technology Transforming Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Care
India is increasingly leveraging advanced technologies to make tuberculosis screening and diagnosis faster, more accurate and accessible.
The deployment of portable AI-enabled digital X-ray machines, expansion of rapid molecular diagnostic technologies, including NAAT, and strengthening of diagnostic infrastructure have enhanced the programme's ability to reach populations across different geographical and social settings.
The Ni-kshay digital platform plays an important role in patient tracking, treatment monitoring and programme management. It strengthens continuity of care and facilitates timely interventions for people undergoing tuberculosis treatment.
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 tuberculosis response.
Through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, eligible patients receive financial assistance towards their nutritional requirements during treatment.
Meanwhile, the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative mobilises individuals, institutions and organisations to provide nutritional and psychosocial support to people affected by TB.
These interventions, combined with improved diagnostic facilities and patient follow-up mechanisms, are contributing to better treatment outcomes and reduced tuberculosis mortality.
India's Tuberculosis Progress Supported by Scientific Surveillance and Research
India's achievements in tuberculosis elimination are also supported by strengthened epidemiological surveillance, scientific research and evidence-based disease estimation.
The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 has incorporated evidence from multiple complementary sources to strengthen its estimates of tuberculosis mortality in India.
These include the Registrar General of India's Sample Registration System (RGI/SRS), community-based verbal autopsy assessments and programme data available through the Ni-kshay portal.
Based on these assessments, the report documents a 38% reduction in India's estimated tuberculosis mortality. The mortality rate declined from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 18 per lakh population in 2025.
Further strengthening the country's evidence base, 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 currently under technical discussions. Following these discussions, WHO will publish an updated country profile for India.
Jan Bhagidari: Turning Tuberculosis Elimination into a People's Movement
A defining feature of India's tuberculosis 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 tuberculosis treatment.
The initiative reinforces the spirit of collective responsibility by enabling individuals and organisations to support patients with nutritional and psychosocial assistance.
Building on this momentum, the JOSH Teams initiative is bringing greater youth participation into India's tuberculosis elimination movement.
Teams are being constituted at the block and ward levels. They are led by designated Class-I officers and supported by five NCC cadets and five MY Bharat volunteers.
Through awareness generation, community outreach and mobilisation activities, JOSH Teams are helping strengthen grassroots participation and advance the vision of a TB-Mukt Bharat.
