The Ministry of Health today acknowledged a significant rise in tuberculosis cases across the country, raising concerns over India’s ability to meet its stated goal of eliminating the disease by 2025. The latest national surveillance figures indicate a notable increase in reported infections, reversing earlier trends and prompting renewed scrutiny of existing TB control strategies.
According to officials, the surge reflects both improved case detection and a genuine rise in community transmission. Health authorities have attributed the trend to delayed diagnosis, treatment interruptions, and the increased spread of drug-resistant strains. Experts warn that the growing burden threatens to undermine the progress achieved over the past decade, during which India recorded steady declines in TB incidence and mortality.
The Ministry reported that the number of notified TB cases has reached its highest level in recent years, with urban centers and densely populated districts accounting for a large share of new infections. Public health teams have also observed a rise in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, which continues to pose a major challenge to treatment outcomes and program efficiency.
Despite the spike, government officials highlighted several areas of progress, including wider deployment of rapid diagnostic tools, expanded laboratory capacity, and increased community-level screening. Initiatives such as intensified case-finding campaigns, mobile X-ray units, and strengthened treatment support mechanisms have contributed to earlier identification of patients and improved linkage to care.
Health authorities emphasized that India’s TB elimination framework remains a national priority, with renewed focus on high-burden regions, vulnerable populations, and districts reporting clusters of infection. The Ministry is working closely with state governments, healthcare workers, and partner organizations to scale up testing, accelerate treatment initiation, and expand preventive therapy programs.
Officials stated that additional measures—including technological innovations, data-driven monitoring, and community participation—will be implemented to counter the recent rise. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and urged citizens to seek timely medical attention, adhere to treatment schedules, and participate in ongoing awareness and screening initiatives.
While acknowledging that the increased caseload presents significant challenges, the government reiterated that sustained political commitment, improved service delivery, and strengthened coordination between public and private healthcare systems will be critical in restoring momentum toward tuberculosis elimination.
