Country sees 21% decline in tuberculosis incidence, double of global pace: WHO

India’s tuberculosis (TB) incidence — the number of new cases emerging each year — has dropped by 21 per cent, from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024, according to the World Health Organisation’s Global TB Report 2025. This decline is almost twice the global rate, which stands at 12 per cent.

The Union Health Ministry credited this achievement to India’s innovative case-finding strategies, rapid adoption of new technologies, decentralisation of services and large-scale community mobilisation. These efforts have helped raise treatment coverage from 53 per cent in 2015 to over 92 per cent in 2024, with 26.18 lakh patients diagnosed out of an estimated 27 lakh cases.

As a result, the number of “missing cases” — those with TB who were not notified to the national programme — has fallen sharply from 15 lakh in 2015 to less than one lakh in 2024. The treatment success rate under the “TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” has also improved to 90 per cent, surpassing the global average of 88 per cent.

India’s TB mortality rate has shown a similar downward trend, decreasing from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 21 per lakh in 2024, marking substantial progress in reducing TB-related deaths.

Launched in December 2024, the “TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” has screened over 19 crore vulnerable individuals, leading to the detection of 24.5 lakh TB patients, including 8.61 lakh asymptomatic cases.

The ministry has also expanded a differentiated TB care approach, identifying high-risk patients based on co-morbidities and clinical indicators, and providing tailored treatment to ensure full recovery.

Going forward, the “TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” will continue proactive screening among vulnerable and congregate populations using hand-held X-rays and molecular diagnostics, coupled with comprehensive care — encompassing treatment, nutritional and psychosocial support — to ensure recovery and prevent community transmission.