Archive · 18 Nov 2025
India's TB Progress: Mixed Results, Global Leadership
India has made progress in fighting tuberculosis (TB), with more cases diagnosed and a reduction in new cases and deaths since 2015.
However, it's still far from meeting its 2025 elimination goal.
India has the world's highest TB burden but is also a leader in combating the disease globally.
Improved testing facilities and treatments like the BPaLM regimen have helped, but MDR-TB and patients stopping treatment early remain significant challenges.
India recorded over 27 lakh TB cases in 2024, with a 21% reduction since 2015.
TB deaths declined by 28% since 2015, but both figures fall short of 2025 targets.
India diagnosed over 80% of estimated TB cases in 2024, up from 50% in 2015.
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a challenge, with patients often stopping treatment early.
India's TB incidence reduction is ahead of the global average (12%)
- Who
- India, World Health Organisation (WHO), TB patients globally and in India
- What
- Progress and challenges in India's fight against tuberculosis, as highlighted in the Global TB Report 2025
- When
- 2015-2024 (Data period); 2025 (India's TB elimination target); 2024 (Cases and deaths data)
- Where
- Global, with specific focus on India
- Why
- To assess the TB epidemic, progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and India's efforts towards elimination.
Report Findings
Government Initiatives
TB Elimination Target
Report Findings
India has only achieved a 21% reduction in new cases and 28% in deaths between 2015-2024, falling short of the End TB milestones for 2025 (50% incidence, 75% deaths reduction).
Government Initiatives
India's efforts have led to a consistent decline in TB cases and deaths, with treatment coverage improving significantly to 92% in 2024, ahead of the global average.
TB Case Reduction vs. Global Average
Report Findings
India's reduction in TB cases is ahead of the global average, but the country still records a high number of cases and deaths.
Government Initiatives
India's treatment coverage shows significant improvement, and new initiatives like the BPaL regimen and AI-enabled devices are being implemented to combat TB.
- Global TB Report 2025 Release Date
- November 12
- India TB Cases (2024)
- Over 27 lakh
- India TB Deaths (2024)
- Over 3 lakh
- India's TB Case Reduction (2015-2024)
- 21%
- India's TB Death Reduction (2015-2024)
- 28%
- India's TB Case Detection Rate (2024)
- Over 80%
- Global TB Incidence Reduction (2015-2024)
- 12%
Sources
Now India plans standardized region-specific protein rich food basket to boost TB recovery
This is what happens to the body when you don’t take your TB medicines properly
UPSC Current Affairs Pointers of the past week | November 10 to November 16, 2025
Knowledge Nugget: Everything you need to know about WHO’s Global TB Report 2025 and beyond
