Why in News?

India has recorded a 21% decline in TB incidence between 2015 and 2024, compared with a global decline of 12%, as per the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2025. Treatment coverage has increased to 92%, but India still accounts for around 25% of global TB cases. The government has intensified the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, expanded screening and preventive treatment, and launched JOSH teams for community participation.

Key Facts About Tuberculosis

  • Causative agent: Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  • Affected organs: Primarily lungs (pulmonary TB); can affect brain, kidneys, spine (extrapulmonary TB).
  • Latent TB: Bacteria present without symptoms; cannot transmit. Can progress to active disease, especially in children, people living with HIV, immunocompromised individuals, malnourished and diabetics.
  • Symptoms: Persistent cough, sometimes with blood, chest pain, fever, night sweats, fatigue, unexplained weight loss.
  • Transmission: Airborne through cough, sneeze, speech or singing, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Not spread by handshakes, sharing food or utensils, or public toilets.
  • Treatment and prevention: Curable with antibiotics. BCG vaccine protects children against severe forms. Free diagnosis and treatment under NTEP.

Major Government Initiatives

National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)

  • RNTCP renamed NTEP in 2020.
  • Target: Eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of SDG-3 target of 2030.
  • Four pillars of National Strategic Plan: Detect, Treat, Prevent and Build.
  • Focus on early diagnosis, prompt treatment, private sector engagement, patient-centric support, contact tracing, TB preventive treatment and multisectoral action.

Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

  • Launched on 9 September 2022.
  • A Jan Andolan to involve individuals, community organisations, civil society and corporates through CSR.
  • Provides community-based nutritional, psychosocial and treatment adherence support.

Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana and Ni-kshay Mitra

  • Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (2018): ₹1,000 per month to notified TB patients through DBT.
  • Since April 2018, about ₹4,454.68 crore disbursed to 1.38 crore beneficiaries.
  • Ni-kshay Mitra: volunteer or supporter providing food baskets, psychosocial and vocational support. Over 2 lakh MY Bharat volunteers have joined.

100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

  • Launched on 7 December 2024 in 347 high-priority districts across 33 States/UTs.
  • Involved 30,000+ elected representatives and 24 line ministries.
  • Over 28.1 crore people screened, 20 lakh received TPT, and 5.7 lakh new Ni-kshay Mitras joined as of June 2026.
  • Second phase from March 2026: over 1.7 lakh Ayushman Arogya Shivirs in 1.2 lakh high-risk villages/wards.
  • Treatment success rate: 90%, above global average of 88%.

Technological and Treatment Advances

  • BPaLM regimen: Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid and Moxifloxacin; six-month treatment for MDR/RR-TB. Over 15,000 patients initiated.
  • TB Preventive Treatment (TPT): For household contacts, PLHIV and vulnerable groups.
  • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: 1,87,250 primary healthcare facilities as of 13 October 2026 provide TB screening and referral.
  • Rapid molecular testing: 9,800+ facilities and 107 culture/DST labs.
  • AI-enabled X-ray: 500+ handheld chest X-ray units deployed; another 1,500 being delivered; 34-fold increase in X-ray screening.
  • Ni-kshay platform: digital case management, monitoring and DBT.
  • TB Mukt Bharat App and Khushi Chatbot: citizen engagement, symptom information and locating diagnostic centres.

AI-Led Initiatives

  • Cough Against TB (CATB): acoustic AI analyses 3-second cough recording; 1.62 lakh screened; 12-16% additional case yield.
  • Adverse Outcome Prediction: predictive analytics to identify high-risk patients; 27% decline in adverse outcomes.
  • DeepCXR: AI analyses digital chest X-rays for nodules and cavities; deployed in 8 States/UTs, free for government.

JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Initiative

  • Nationwide social media campaign; pilot in 11 States and 55 districts.
  • Teams include MY Bharat volunteers, NCC cadets and a Class-I officer.
  • Objective: mobilise youth, reduce stigma and strengthen grassroots participation through Jan Andolan.

Significance

  • Demonstrates impact of sustained public health interventions, technology and community participation.
  • Aligns with SDG-3 and India's goal of universal health coverage.
  • Reduces catastrophic health expenditure and improves nutrition and treatment adherence.

Challenges

  • India still bears the highest global TB burden.
  • Drug-resistant TB, latent TB, malnutrition, poverty and poor living conditions.
  • Gaps in private sector notification, stigma, and access in remote areas.
  • Need for sustained financing and health system strengthening.

Constitutional and Legal Context

  • Article 47 (DPSP): State shall raise nutrition and standard of living, improve public health and prohibit intoxicants.
  • Health is primarily a State subject (Entry 6, State List); the Centre supports through national programmes like NTEP.
  • SDG 3: Good health and well-being; global TB target of 2030.

Way Forward

  • Strengthen early diagnosis, AI-enabled screening and molecular testing.
  • Expand TPT and nutritional support.
  • Enhance private sector engagement and Ni-kshay Mitra participation.
  • Address social determinants: nutrition, housing, poverty.
  • Sustain political commitment and community ownership for a TB-free India.

Conclusion

India's accelerated TB decline reflects the combined effect of NTEP, digital innovation, AI tools and Jan Andolan. However, elimination requires continued focus on prevention, treatment adherence, drug-resistant TB and social determinants.