Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Telangana QR Code HIV Self-Assessment Facility Debuts August 15
In Telangana, a state in India, the government is bringing a new way to help people learn about HIV.
Starting August 15, people can scan a special black-and-white square called a QR code with their phones.
The code opens a short quiz with seven simple questions.
The quiz helps people understand if they might be at risk of HIV.
They can do this quietly and privately, without talking to a health worker right away.
After the quiz, they learn where they can get free tests, advice and support.
Finding out early can help people get treatment and stay healthier.
The plan was announced at a big event with bike and auto rallies and a walkathon with more than 1,600 people.
Telangana has also moved up from 31st to fifth place in India's HIV programme rankings.
The government hopes more people will check their risk and get tested.
Telangana will launch a QR-code-based HIV self-assessment facility on August 15, letting people privately gauge their risk by answering seven questions.
The facility is rolled out by the Telangana State AIDS Control Society (TGSACS) with QR codes displayed at public places, hospitals and offices.
It coincides with a two-month Information, Education and Communication campaign on HIV/AIDS and Syphilis running from August 12 to October 12.
Users are connected to the 1097 HIV/AIDS toll-free helpline, free testing facilities, counselling services and nearby NGO or community service centres.
Telangana improved from 31st position in 2022-23 to fifth position in 2025-26 in the national HIV programme implementation scorecard.
- Who
- The Telangana State AIDS Control Society (TGSACS), with officials such as project director K. Vidyasagar and minister Ponnam Prabhakar at the campaign launch.
- What
- A QR-code-based HIV self-assessment facility allowing people to privately assess their HIV risk by answering seven questions.
- When
- Launching from August 15, alongside an awareness campaign running from August 12 to October 12.
- Where
- Telangana state, with the campaign launched at HMDA Grounds in Hyderabad.
- Why
- To bridge the gap between awareness and testing, encourage voluntary testing and identify people who remain undiagnosed.
- Launch date
- August 15
- Questions per assessment
- 7
- Implementing agency
- Telangana State AIDS Control Society (TGSACS)
- HIV/AIDS helpline
- 1097 (toll-free)
- Awareness campaign period
- August 12 - October 12
- National scorecard rank
- 5th in 2025-26, up from 31st in 2022-23
- PLHIV aware of status (July 2026)
- 87.2%
- Diagnosed people on ART
- 100%