India’s TB-Free Vision: Progress and New Initiatives for 2026
India just launched a new phase of its TB Mukt Bharat campaign to fight tuberculosis, especially during World TB Day 2026. This campaign targets over 1.5 lakh villages and urban areas, focusing on grassroots plans to improve how TB services are delivered.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda highlighted that the initiative will help vulnerable groups, including urban poor, tribal populations, and migrant workers. By addressing gaps and enhancing early detection, India aims to provide equitable access to TB services.
Nadda emphasized India’s commitment to eliminate TB ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goals. The country is focusing on a 2025 target, which is five years earlier than the UN’s goal.
The theme for this year, “Yes! We Can End TB!”, shows renewed hope and collective determination in battling this disease. Nadda noted that in the past decade, India’s response to TB has matured into a people-centered movement. He stressed the importance of community involvement in this campaign.
Over the last ten years, India has made notable progress. The incidence of TB has dropped by 21%, and mortality has decreased by 25%, which is better than the global average. Treatment coverage has reached an impressive 92%, and the number of undetected cases has fallen drastically from over a million to less than 100,000.
A significant challenge is that nearly half of TB patients don’t show typical symptoms. This led to a shift in screening methods to identify those who might not present with the usual signs of the disease. The intensified TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has introduced advanced tools like portable X-rays, AI diagnostics, and molecular testing across India.
Since the campaign’s start in December 2024, more than 20 crore vulnerable individuals have been screened, uncovering over 32.65 lakh TB cases. Among these, nearly 10.9 lakh were asymptomatic, representing a crucial step in controlling the disease.
In terms of treatment, the new BPaLM regimen for drug-resistant TB has reduced the average treatment time from 20 months to just six, improving patient adherence and outcomes. Furthermore, the launch of the TB Mukt Bharat App introduces an AI-powered chatbot named “Khushi,” which helps users access information about symptoms, treatment, and local healthcare facilities.
Investment in TB elimination has skyrocketed, growing from Rs 640 crore in 2015-2016 to Rs 6,356 crore in 2025-2026. This surge in funding supports diagnostics, treatments, and social initiatives.
Addressing stigma remains vital. Nadda noted that TB is both preventable and treatable, and early medical intervention is key to controlling its spread. The ongoing efforts remind us that community support plays a significant role in tackling this public health issue.
World TB Day, celebrated on March 24, serves as a crucial reminder for global action against TB. As India forges ahead, the combination of innovative strategies, increased investments, and community involvement presents a strong front in the fight against this deadly disease.
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TB Mukt Bharat campaign
