15 lakh asymptomatic cases detected; 25 cr screened
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 13: Union Health Minister J P Nadda has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving a TB-Mukt Bharat, highlighting a 38 per cent decline in tuberculosis mortality since 2015 and the detection of nearly 15 lakh asymptomatic cases through intensified screening.
Welcoming the findings of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2026, Nadda said India’s progress reflected sustained investments in early detection, advanced diagnostics, nutritional assistance and community mobilisation.
He said the country’s fight against tuberculosis had transformed into a nationwide Jan Andolan under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, powered by technology, community participation and patient-centric care.
Highlighting the scale of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, Nadda said more than 25 crore people had been covered under intensified screening, with over 11 crore chest X-rays and 3 crore molecular tests conducted. These efforts had resulted in the detection of 48.64 lakh TB cases, including nearly 15 lakh asymptomatic patients, enabling early diagnosis and timely treatment.
The minister emphasised that identifying people without typical symptoms was particularly important in preventing disease progression and further transmission.
According to the WHO report, India’s TB mortality has declined by 38 per cent since 2015, exceeding the global reduction of 35 per cent. The mortality rate fell from 28 deaths per lakh population in 2015 to 18 per lakh in 2025, marking the country’s highest-ever reduction.
India has also recorded a 94 per cent treatment success rate among patients with drug-susceptible TB, reflecting improvements in diagnosis, treatment delivery and patient support under the National TB Elimination Programme.
Nadda highlighted the contribution of artificial intelligence-enabled diagnostics, rapid molecular testing and the Ni-kshay digital platform in strengthening screening, diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
He also underscored the importance of nutritional assistance under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana and community support through Ni-kshay Mitras in addressing the broader needs of TB patients.
The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, initially launched as an intensified 100-day campaign in December 2024 and subsequently expanded nationwide, has strengthened outreach among vulnerable and high-risk populations. A further intensified campaign launched in March 2026 continued the focus on early detection and timely treatment.
Community participation has emerged as another important component of the programme, with 67,933 Panchayats declared TB-free in 2025. The JOSH Teams initiative, involving government officials, NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers, is also supporting awareness and grassroots mobilisation.
India is meeting 96 per cent of its TB programme funding requirements through domestic resources, reflecting sustained national investment in elimination efforts.
