The central government has rolled out a series of measures under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) to fight tuberculosis (TB) across India. Operating under the National Health Mission (NHM), the programme prioritises early diagnosis, timely treatment, and addressing the social factors that contribute to the spread of TB.
India has made significant progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), with the incidence rate declining by 17.7%, from 237 cases per 100,000 population in 2015 to 195 cases per 100,000 population in 2023. TB-related deaths have also reduced by 21.4%, from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023. These achievements underscore the effectiveness of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), which is implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM).
The NTEP’s National Strategic Plan also focuses on treatment with quality-assured drugs, and active engagement with patients in the private sector. It includes case finding and contact tracing in high-risk populations, airborne infection control, and a multi-sectoral response.
India accounted for 26% of the global TB burden in 2023, according to the WHO Global TB Report 2024. In response, the government conducted a National TB Prevalence Survey across 20 states, revealing a prevalence of 312 cases per lakh population. Based on these findings, the NTEP strategy has been redefined, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations.
Key initiatives include targeted interventions in high TB burden areas, free drugs and diagnostics for all TB patients, and special campaigns for early detection in vulnerable populations. The Ayushman Arogya Mandir scheme is integrated with TB services, and private sector engagement has been ramped up.
Molecular diagnostic laboratories are being expanded, and the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana is being scaled up to provide nutritional support. The government is intensifying awareness efforts to reduce stigma and improve health-seeking behavior.
Additionally, the Ni-kshya Mitra initiative provides nutritional, diagnostic, and vocational support to TB patients and their households. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, expressed confidence that these measures will help India achieve its TB elimination goal by 2025.
