• India has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against tuberculosis (TB), recording a 38 per cent reduction in TB mortality since 2015, compared to a global decline of 35 per cent.

• Also, the country recorded an impressive 94 per cent treatment success rate among patients with drug-susceptible TB, according to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2026.

• The progress reflects the impact of intensified interventions under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), including proactive case finding, such as use of AI-enabled X-rays, rapid diagnostics, prompt treatment initiation, differentiated TB care, and nutritional support.

National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme

• In 2020, the government of India renamed the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) to the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP).

• The NTEP builds on the four pillars of the NSP: Detect – Treat – Prevent – Build.

The key activities of the programme are:

i) Early diagnosis of individuals with TB through high quality testing, and proactive community outreach to find missing cases in vulnerable population.

ii) Prompt treatment with quality assured drugs and treatment regimens, including drug resistant TB.

iii) Engaging with patients seeking care in the private sector.

iv) Patient-centric treatment support and nutrition interventions through direct benefit transfer and Ni-kshay Mitra initiative.

v) Contact tracing and TB preventive treatment among household contacts, children, people living with HIV and in high risk /vulnerable populations.

vi) Airborne infection control measures.

vii) Multi-sectoral response for addressing social determinants.

Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

• The Pradhan Mantri-TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (TB-Free India Campaign) was launched on September 9, 2022, as an additional key component of the NTEP.

• This initiative was launched to unite people from all walks of life in a ‘Jan Andolan’ (people’s movement) and accelerate the nation’s progress towards eliminating TB.

Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana and the Ni-kshay Mitra Programme

• TB patients must eat a high-protein diet to counteract the adverse side-effects of the treatment drugs.

• The Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, launched in 2018, provides financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month to each notified tuberculosis patient.

• Since its launch in April 2018, Rs 4,454.68 crore have been disbursed directly into the bank accounts of 1.38 crore beneficiaries.

• TB treatment is long, lasting at least six months, and sometimes even longer.

• A Ni-kshay Mitra is a “TB Friend” or supporter who provides TB patients with help during this treatment period.

• A person, an NGO, corporations, religious and community groups, government officials and public figures can volunteer to be Ni-kshay Mitras.

• The TB Friend provides regular food baskets to help patients reduce out-of-pocket expenditures. They can also provide psychosocial support by checking in regularly, and vocational support to help patients rebuild their lives after recovery.

100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched one of India’s most intensive TB elimination drives called the 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan on December 7, 2024 in 347 high-priority districts across 33 states/UTs.

• It was subsequently expanded nationwide to strengthen early detection, particularly among vulnerable and high-risk populations.

• Building upon the learnings and momentum generated, another intensified 100 Days campaign was launched by the government on March 24, 2026, focussing on TB screening in 1.58 lakh high risk villages & wards, congregate settings & vulnerable population.

It achieved significant progress:

i) Over 25 crore individuals identified and brought within the ambit of TB screening activities.

ii) More than 11 crore chest X-rays conducted to strengthen early detection.

iii) Over 3 crore nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) conducted for rapid and accurate diagnosis.

iv) 48.64 lakh new TB cases identified, including 14.97 lakh asymptomatic cases.

JOSH campaign to mobilise communities

• To further amplify this momentum towards eliminating TB, a nationwide social media campaign featuring JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams across 11 states and 55 districts on a pilot basis was launched in October 2026.

• Every JOSH team has MY BHARAT volunteers, cadets from the National Cadet Corps, and a designated Class-I officer to spread awareness on timely screening and treatment.

• This structure mobilises the youth towards grassroots community awareness.

• All ministries, departments, healthcare institutions, MY Bharat volunteers and youth organisations, students and citizens are encouraged to join in amplifying TB awareness, early detection, treatment adherence and stigma-free communities through posts, photographs, videos and inspiring stories highlighting youth-led action.