New Delhi: India has reported a 38 per cent reduction in tuberculosis (TB)-related deaths since 2015, outperforming the global decline of 35 per cent, while its treatment success rate for drug-susceptible TB has reached 94 per cent, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 released on November 12.
The report estimates that India’s TB mortality rate fell from 28 deaths per lakh population in 2015 to 18 in 2025. The report attributes this progress to expanded screening, early diagnosis, advanced testing facilities, and improved patient support under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). The government also stated that domestic resources currently meet 96 per cent of the programme’s funding requirements.
Under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, more than 25 crore people were covered through screening initiatives between December 7, 2024, and November 8, 2026. These efforts included over 11 crore chest X-rays and more than 3 crore nucleic acid amplification tests, identifying 48.64 lakh TB cases. Of these, 14.97 lakh were asymptomatic patients.
Technology has also played an important role in strengthening detection and monitoring. Portable AI-assisted X-ray systems, rapid molecular tests and the Ni-kshay digital platform are being used to improve diagnosis and track patients throughout treatment.
Financial and nutritional assistance is being provided through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, while the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative encourages individuals and organisations to support patients with nutritional and psychosocial assistance.
The programme has also intensified community participation, with 67,933 Panchayats declared TB-free in 2025. The government aims to further strengthen early diagnosis, preventive treatment and grassroots awareness to accelerate India’s TB elimination efforts.
