India Achieves Historic Decline in TB Cases: PM Modi Hails WHO Report Findings

In a major public health achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded India’s unprecedented success in combating tuberculosis (TB) following the release of the WHO Global TB Report 2025. The report shows that India’s TB incidence dropped by 21%—from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024, almost double the global rate of decline (12%). Calling it a “remarkable momentum,” PM Modi highlighted the significance of this achievement in realizing the vision of a TB-Mukt Bharat.

Key Highlights from the WHO Global TB Report 2025

• TB Incidence: Reduced by 21% in India since 2015 (from 237 to 187 per lakh), compared to a global decline of 12%
• TB Mortality (HIV-negative cases): Dropped from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 21 per lakh in 2024
• Treatment Coverage: Reached 92%, one of the highest among high-burden countries
• Missing TB Cases: Reduced from 15 lakh in 2015 to less than 1 lakh in 2024
• Treatment Success Rate: Rose to 90%, ahead of the global average of 88%
• Drug-Resistant TB Testing: India’s rifampicin resistance testing coverage stands at 92%, compared to the global average of 83%

TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: A Game-Changer for India

Launched in December 2024, the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan has been instrumental in accelerating TB elimination through,

• Screening 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 rapid screening
• Expansion of NAAT testing infrastructure and molecular diagnostics

This tech-enabled and community-driven approach is helping India inch closer to its ambitious goal of eliminating TB by 2025, well ahead of the global SDG deadline of 2030.

Massive Boost in Budget and Public Participation

• The annual TB programme budget has grown 10 times over the last 9 years, supporting innovations in diagnosis, treatment, and community care
• Under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, ₹4,406 crore has been disbursed as Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to 1.37 crore TB patients since April 2018
• 6.77 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras, including over 2 lakh My Bharat youth volunteers, have distributed over 45 lakh nutrition baskets, offering psychosocial and nutritional support to patients
• These efforts reflect a whole-of-society approach, ensuring that TB elimination becomes a people’s movement.

India’s Global Leadership in TB Diagnostics

India now hosts the world’s largest TB lab network, featuring,

• 9,391 molecular testing centres
• 107 culture and drug susceptibility testing labs
• Over 500 AI-based portable X-ray units deployed nationwide, with 1,500 more on the way
• Services decentralized through 1.78 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, making TB care more accessible

Differentiated and Personalized TB Care

India has introduced individualized treatment plans for high-risk TB patients based on,

• Comorbidities
• Clinical severity
• Socioeconomic vulnerabilities
• Additionally, ASHA workers are being trained to identify early warning signs, ensuring timely referrals and faster treatment initiation.

Static Facts for Exam Revision

• TB incidence reduced by 21% from 237 to 187 per lakh (2015–2024)
• Mortality dropped from 28 to 21 per lakh during the same period
• Treatment coverage in 2024: 92% (up from 53% in 2015)
• Treatment success rate: 90% (global average: 88%)
• Number of TB patients diagnosed in 2024: 26.18 lakh
• Asymptomatic cases identified: 8.61 lakh
• TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan launched: December 2024
• Ni-kshay Poshan DBT raised: ₹500 to ₹1,000/month
• Youth volunteers engaged: 2+ lakh under My Bharat initiative
• Total Ni-kshay Mitras: 6.77 lakh (as of 2025)