India achieves 38% TB mortality drop, 94% treatment success rate
- India recorded a 38% decrease in TB-related deaths since 2015.
- The national TB treatment success rate has reached 94%.
- Domestic resources cover 96% of the TB programme funding requirements.
- Over 25 crore people have been screened for tuberculosis since late 2024.
- India remains among the top eight countries for the highest number of TB cases.
India has recorded a 38 percent decline in tuberculosis mortality since 2015, according to the World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 released on Thursday, November 12, 2026. This reduction surpasses the global decline of 35 percent.
The findings were reported by The New Indian Express, News On AIR, and the Free Press Journal.
India has achieved a 38% decline in tuberculosis mortality and a 94% treatment success rate.
Treatment success rate reaches 94%
The national tuberculosis treatment success rate has reached 94 percent for patients diagnosed with drug-susceptible tuberculosis. This figure accompanies the reported 38 percent decline in tuberculosis deaths since 2015.
The New Indian Express reported this 38 percent decrease in tuberculosis-related deaths since 2015.
Screening efforts reach 25 crore people
Under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, authorities brought more than 25 crore people under intensified screening.
These diagnostic operations identified 48.64 lakh new tuberculosis cases.
Of these new cases, 14.97 lakh were asymptomatic.
Intensified campaigns and JOSH Teams launched
On March 24, 2026, the Centre initiated another intensified 100-day campaign targeting 1.58 lakh high-risk villages, wards, and congregate settings.
Officials also established JOSH Teams to increase youth participation in the movement to eliminate tuberculosis.
Each team operates at the block and ward levels under the leadership of a designated Class-I officer.
Five MY Bharat volunteers and five National Cadet Corps cadets support each team in their efforts to strengthen grassroots community outreach, awareness, and mobilization for a TB-Mukt Bharat.
Domestic funding drives TB elimination programme
Domestic resources cover 96 percent of the funding requirements for the national tuberculosis elimination programme.
The Union Health Ministry said these achievements result from sustained investments in scientific surveillance, public health, community-driven interventions, and technological innovation.
National TB Elimination Programme interventions include AI-enabled X-rays and rapid diagnostic tests.
India remains among top eight countries for TB cases
India remains one of the eight countries with the highest number of tuberculosis cases globally. It accounted for 25% of the total global cases in 2025.
Globally, 10.6 million people fell ill with the disease in 2025. This figure represents a reduction of 75,000 cases compared to 2024.
This reflects a 1.6% decline from the previous year.
Demographic data for 2025 shows that 54% of those who developed tuberculosis were men. Women accounted for 35% of cases, while children made up 11%.
Future roadmap and survey technical discussions
These results are currently undergoing technical discussion with the World Health Organization.
An official stated that "the WHO will publish an updated country profile for India" once these technical discussions conclude.
During 2025, 67,933 panchayats were declared tuberculosis-free.
Government officials announced plans to build on these results through several core strategies. They will focus on "intensified screening, expanded access to quality diagnostics, prompt and effective treatment, TB preventive treatment, nutritional assistance and deeper community engagement".
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- India records 38 per cent drop in TB mortality since 2015, remains among top eight for cases (newindianexpress.com)
- India Records 38% Decline In TB Deaths Since 2015, Achieves 94% Treatment Success Rate (freepressjournal.in)
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