India Reports 38% Drop in TB Deaths, 94% Treatment Success

India has made significant progress in its fight against tuberculosis (TB). The country has recorded a 38% decline in TB mortality since 2015. This compares with a global decline of 35%. India has also achieved a 94% treatment success rate among patients with drug-susceptible TB.

The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted these achievements in its Global Tuberculosis Report 2026, released on November 12, 2026. The report reflects India's progress through early detection, timely treatment, technological innovation and patient support.

The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) has played an important role in this progress. It uses proactive screening, AI-enabled chest X-rays, rapid diagnostic tests and nutritional support to improve TB care.

India's TB Elimination Efforts: Key Achievements

India has strengthened its TB response through a combination of healthcare services, technology and community participation.

The country's major achievements include:

• 38% reduction in TB mortality since 2015.
• 94% treatment success rate among patients with drug-susceptible TB.
• Over 25 crore people were covered under intensified TB screening between December 7, 2024, and November 8, 2026.
• More than 11 crore chest X-rays were conducted during this period.
• Over 3 crore nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) were conducted.
• 48.64 lakh new TB cases identified, including 14.97 lakh asymptomatic cases.
• 96% of TB programme funding requirements met through domestic resources.

These figures highlight India's focus on early diagnosis, effective treatment and wider public participation.

TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Strengthens Early Detection

The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has become a major part of India's efforts to eliminate TB. It promotes proactive screening and brings diagnostic services closer to vulnerable communities.

The government launched its first intensified 100-day campaign on December 7, 2024. It covered 347 high-priority districts across 33 States and Union Territories. The government later expanded the campaign nationwide.

On March 24, 2026, the government launched another intensified 100-day campaign. It focused on 1.58 lakh high-risk villages and wards, congregate settings and vulnerable populations.

Between December 7, 2024, and November 8, 2026, the campaign achieved major results:

• It covered more than 25 crore people through TB screening activities.
• It conducted over 11 crore chest X-rays.
• It carried out more than 3 crore NAAT tests.
• It identified 48.64 lakh new TB cases.
• It detected 14.97 lakh asymptomatic TB cases.

The identification of asymptomatic cases holds special importance. These people may not show clear symptoms. Proactive screening helps health workers identify them and begin treatment earlier. Early diagnosis can also help reduce transmission and prevent severe illness.

The programme also supports timely treatment, nutritional assistance and continued patient care. In 2025, authorities declared 67,933 Panchayats TB-free.

Technology Improves TB Diagnosis and Patient Care

India increasingly uses modern technology to strengthen TB detection and treatment.

Portable AI-enabled digital X-rays help health workers screen people and identify possible TB cases. Rapid molecular diagnostic tools, including NAAT, support faster and more accurate diagnosis.

The Ni-kshay digital platform helps health workers track patients, monitor treatment and manage programme activities. It also supports timely interventions and continuity of care.

The programme also links TB services with the identification and management of diabetes, undernutrition and other health conditions. This approach helps healthcare workers provide more comprehensive patient care.

Nutritional Support Helps TB Patients

Nutrition remains an important part of India's TB response.

Under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, eligible TB patients receive financial assistance for their nutritional needs during treatment.

The Ni-kshay Mitra initiative encourages individuals, organisations and institutions to support people affected by TB. Participants can provide nutritional and psychosocial assistance.

These initiatives help patients receive support beyond medical treatment. They also encourage communities to take part in the national TB elimination mission.

WHO Report Highlights India's TB Mortality Decline

The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 uses several sources to assess India's TB mortality. These include data from the Registrar General of India's Sample Registration System (RGI/SRS), community-based verbal autopsy assessments and programme information from the Ni-kshay portal.

The report records a 38% decline in India's estimated TB mortality between 2015 and 2025. The mortality rate fell from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 18 per lakh population in 2025.

The Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (ICMR-NIRT) also conducted a nationally representative TB prevalence survey in 2025. India has shared the survey findings with WHO. Technical discussions are underway before WHO updates India's country profile.

Jan Bhagidari Turns TB Elimination into a People's Movement

Community participation plays a major role in India's TB elimination strategy. The government encourages citizens and institutions to support awareness, screening and patient care.

Panchayati Raj Institutions, urban local bodies, civil society groups, private healthcare providers and corporate partners contribute to these efforts.

The JOSH Teams initiative aims to increase youth participation. It forms teams at block and ward levels. Each team includes a designated Class-I officer, five NCC cadets and five MY Bharat volunteers.

These teams support awareness campaigns and community outreach. Their work helps strengthen public participation in the TB-Mukt Bharat mission.

India's Roadmap Towards a TB-Mukt Bharat

India continues to focus on early screening, quality diagnostics, timely treatment and nutritional assistance. The government also aims to expand TB preventive treatment and strengthen community engagement.

The WHO report highlights important gains in India's fight against TB. The 38% decline in mortality, 94% treatment success rate and large-scale screening campaign mark significant progress.

Continued investment, scientific research and public participation will remain important. Through these efforts, India aims to accelerate its progress towards a TB-Mukt Bharat and contribute to global TB elimination targets.