India’s battle against tuberculosis

17 NOVEMBER 2025

While the tuberculosis (TB) incidence had the highest decline rate, globally, by 21% from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh population in 2024, India remains among the countries with the highest rates of TB, bearing 25% of the world’s burden.
India also recorded the highest number of drug-resistant TB cases in 2024 — accounting for 32% of global multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) – and rifampicin-resistant (RR-TB) cases.
Common associated co-morbidities are HIV, diabetes, and malnutrition.
India has missed the target it set for itself, having advanced for itself the aim to eliminate TB — by 2025, five years before the global target of 2030.
BCG (Bacille Calmette–Guérin) vaccine is given to all newborns at birth under India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to protect infants and young children from severe forms of TB.
However, it does NOT prevent adult pulmonary TB.

National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP)

Universal drug susceptibility testing (UDST) for all TB cases.
Free diagnostics:
- CBNAAT/Truenat
- Line probe assay
- Chest X-ray
Free treatment:
- Daily regimen (FDCs) for drug-sensitive TB
- Longer/shorter MDR-TB regimens
Private sector engagement through Nikshay.

Nikshay Portal

A national digital system for TB tracking.
- It provides case notification, treatment monitoring, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments and adherence support via 99DOTS / MERM (in some states)
- Newer drugs used are Bedaquiline and Delamanid for Drug Resistant TB

Nikshay Poshan Yojana — Nutrition Support

Given until completion of treatment.