Tuberculosis incidence falling in India by 21% a year: WHO report

By Admin

13 Nov, 2025

In a remarkable achievement, India has made significant strides in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global TB Report 2025 confirming that the country’s TB incidence has dropped by 21%   from 237 cases per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh population in 2024. This decline is nearly double the global reduction rate of 12%, marking India as one of the top-performing nations among high TB-burden countries.

Significant Decline in TB Mortality

India’s TB mortality rate has also witnessed a steep fall   from 28 deaths per lakh population in 2015 to 21 per lakh population in 2024. This sharp reduction reflects the country’s dedicated efforts and the impact of focused health interventions in reducing TB-related deaths nationwide.

Technological and Community-Driven Approach

According to the Union Health Ministry, India’s innovative case-finding strategies and rapid adoption of new diagnostic technologies have played a key role in this success. The decentralisation of healthcare services and large-scale community mobilisation efforts have further enhanced early detection and treatment. Treatment coverage surged to over 92% in 2024, up from just 53% in 2015   with 26.18 lakh TB patients diagnosed out of an estimated 27 lakh cases.

Fewer Missing Cases and High Treatment Success

A major milestone in India’s TB elimination journey has been the dramatic reduction in “missing cases”   individuals who had TB but went unreported. The number has dropped from 15 lakh in 2015 to under one lakh in 2024. Furthermore, the report notes no significant increase in multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB cases, while the treatment success rate under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan stands at an impressive 90%, surpassing the global average of 88%.

TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: A National Movement

Launched in December 2024, the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan has been instrumental in accelerating TB control efforts across India. The programme has screened more than 19 crore vulnerable individuals nationwide, leading to the detection of over 24.5 lakh TB patients, including 8.61 lakh asymptomatic cases. This extensive outreach showcases India’s commitment to achieving its goal of eliminating TB well ahead of global targets.

A Step Closer to a TB-Free India

India’s consistent progress demonstrates the power of innovation, technology, and community partnership in public health. With sustained momentum, the nation is on track to transform the vision of a TB Mukt Bharat into a reality, setting an inspiring example for the world in its pursuit of disease elimination.