India is steadily advancing toward TB elimination by 2025 with targeted efforts under the National TB Elimination Programme.
As India’s National TB Surveillance System, the Ni-kshay Portal tracks data in real-time, logging over 1.18 crore support commitments by March 23, 2025.
NEW DELHI (India CSR): “The decline in TB incidence is an outcome of India’s dedicated and innovative efforts. Through a collective spirit, we will keep working towards a TB-free India,” said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, reflecting on India’s relentless fight against tuberculosis (TB). As the world marks World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, 2025, India stands at a pivotal moment in its mission to eradicate TB by the end of the year—a target five years ahead of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) deadline of 2030.
“India’s goal to eliminate TB by 2025 is one of the world’s most ambitious health missions.”, India Govt. said.
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A Global and National Call to Action
Every March 24th, World Tuberculosis Day commemorates Dr. Robert Koch’s 1882 discovery of the TB-causing bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This year’s theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” underscores the urgency of collective action to combat the world’s deadliest infectious disease.
In India, where TB claims countless lives and burdens millions, the day serves as both a reminder of progress and a rallying cry for intensified efforts. With the highest global TB burden, India’s ambitious goal to eliminate the disease by 2025 is a testament to its resolve, driven by innovative policies, advanced diagnostics, and a patient-centric approach under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).
Despite a significant decline in TB incidence and mortality, challenges like drug-resistant TB and declining global funding loom large. India’s journey toward a TB-free future hinges on sustained investment, multi-sector collaboration, and community participation—key pillars of its elimination strategy.
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India’s Bold Blueprint: The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)
Launched as the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) and rebranded as NTEP in 2020, this flagship initiative embodies India’s commitment to wiping out TB. The National Strategic Plan (2017-2025) outlines a four-pronged approach—Detect, Treat, Prevent, Build (DTPB)—to tackle TB comprehensively.
From house-to-house screenings to state-of-the-art drug regimens, NTEP has transformed India’s TB response.
Key Achievements Fueling Optimism
India’s efforts have yielded impressive results. In 2024, NTEP reported a record 26.07 lakh TB cases, up from 25.5 lakh in 2023, reflecting improved detection. The incidence rate dropped by 17.7% between 2015 and 2023, from 237 to 195 cases per 1 lakh people, per the WHO’s Global TB Report.
TB-related deaths also fell from 28 to 22 per 1 lakh people over the same period. Notably, the number of “missing” TB cases—those undetected or unreported—plummeted by 83%, from 15 lakh in 2015 to 2.5 lakh in 2023.
Innovations like India’s first indigenous TB burden model, which provides state-wise estimates, and the rollout of shorter, safer treatments for drug-resistant TB (e.g., the Bedaquiline-based mBPaL regimen) have been game-changers. Success rates for multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) treatment rose from 68% in 2020 to 75% in 2022, with mBPaL achieving 80% success in just six months.
Community-Driven Initiatives: Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA)
A cornerstone of NTEP, the PMTBMBA unites communities, businesses, and institutions to support TB patients. Launched as the world’s largest crowd-sourcing initiative for nutritional aid, it provides diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational assistance to improve outcomes and reduce mortality.
Over 1.51 crore patients are currently under treatment, with 1.18 crore receiving support from 2.59 lakh registered Ni-kshay Mitras—volunteers ranging from individuals to corporates.
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Nutritional Support: A Lifeline for Patients
Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY)
Under NPY, TB patients registered on the Ni-kshay Portal receive Rs. 1,000 monthly (up from Rs. 500) for nutrition, totaling Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 6,000 per treatment course. Since its inception, over Rs. 3,202 crores have been disbursed to 1.13 crore beneficiaries via Direct Benefit Transfer. For underweight patients (BMI < 18.5), Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation (EDNS) is provided for the first two months, benefiting around 12 lakh individuals and boosting recovery rates.
Expanding the Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative
The Ni-kshay Mitra program, part of PMTBMBA, encourages adoption of TB patients for at least six months, offering food baskets and support to both patients and their household contacts. This expansion aims to enhance immunity, curb transmission, and ease financial strain. An additional ₹1,040 crores (split 60:40 between the Centre and States) has been committed to amplify these efforts.
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Technology and Partnerships: The Backbone of Progress
Ni-kshay Portal: Real-Time Surveillance
The Ni-kshay Portal, developed by the Central TB Division with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and WHO India, is a web-based platform revolutionizing TB management. It enables healthcare providers to register cases, order tests, monitor adherence, and transfer patients seamlessly. As India’s National TB Surveillance System, it ensures real-time data reporting, with over 1.18 crore support commitments logged as of March 23, 2025.
Multi-Sectoral Collaboration
NTEP’s success owes much to partnerships with ministries, industries, NGOs, and 560 medical colleges forming a Task Force for TB detection and research. Sub-national disease-free certification, achieved through surveys and drug sales tracking, further strengthens accountability and progress monitoring.
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Challenges Ahead: Drug Resistance and Funding Gaps
While India’s strides are commendable, hurdles remain. The rise of drug-resistant TB strains demands ongoing innovation in treatment protocols. Globally, TB funding has declined, with priorities shifting post-pandemic—a trend India must counter with domestic resource mobilization. Sustaining political will and public awareness is equally critical to meeting the 2025 deadline.
A TB-Free India Within Reach
India’s fight against TB exemplifies determination and ingenuity. From the PMTBMBA’s community-driven support to NTEP’s robust framework, the nation is steadily closing the gap to its 2025 goal. Yet, success hinges on unwavering commitment—more investment, stronger partnerships, and relentless innovation. As Prime Minister Modi emphasized, a collective spirit is key. With the world watching, India has the chance to not only end TB at home but also set a global benchmark for public health triumph.
(India CSR)
