Archive · 31 Jul 2026
KSAPS Denies Mandatory HIV Testing Claims in Karnataka
The Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society says that no one is forced to get an HIV test in the state.
They said the rumors about 7,000 students testing positive are false.
The society has about 291,000 people who have HIV, and 203,000 of them are getting medicine.
Some people still don’t know they have HIV, and the society wants them to check themselves.
They made a free app called BreakFree that helps people see if they might be at risk and find a place to get tested.
KSAPS denies that HIV testing is mandatory for college students in Karnataka.
The society reports no evidence of 7,000 new HIV-positive students; prevalence is about 291,341 with 203,000 on treatment.
A gap of 56,000 unreported cases exists, partly in the private sector and among undiagnosed individuals.
KSAPS promotes voluntary risk assessment via a QR‑code–driven BreakFree mobile app and counseling.
The AIDS Prevention and Control Act 2017 prohibits mandatory HIV testing, emphasizing voluntary testing.
- Who
- Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society and its Project Director Padma Basavanthappa
- What
- Refuted rumors of mandatory HIV testing for college students and clarified state HIV prevalence data
- Where
- Karnataka, India
- Why
- To correct misinformation and promote voluntary risk assessment and testing
- Organization
- Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society
- Project Director
- Padma Basavanthappa
- Prevalence
- 291,341
- On Treatment
- 203,000
- Unreported Gap
- 56,000
- Act
- AIDS Prevention and Control Act 2017
- Campaign
- BreakFree app