India has recorded a 21% reduction in tuberculosis (TB) incidence over the past decade, marking a major step in its mission to eliminate the disease. Despite this achievement, India still accounts for one-fourth of all new global TB cases, highlighting both the progress made and the scale of the challenge ahead.
According to the latest estimates, India’s TB incidence fell from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024. This pace of decline is nearly twice as fast as the global average, placing India among the best-performing high-burden nations. However, the country still represented 25% of all new global TB infections in 2024, a reflection of its vast population and historical disease load.
Globally, 30 high-burden countries account for the majority of TB cases. India, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, and Pakistan together make up over half of all new infections. The South-East Asia Region continues to bear the highest burden, followed by the Western Pacific and African regions.
India’s accelerated progress stems from expanded detection campaigns, deployment of modern diagnostic technologies, and stronger community engagement. In 2024, treatment coverage reached over 92% with 26 lakh diagnosed cases out of an estimated 27 lakh infections. The number of “missing” TB cases fell dramatically—from around 15 lakh to under one lakh. India also recorded a treatment success rate of 90%, surpassing the global average of 88%.
While India’s efforts have delivered tangible gains, sustaining this momentum demands continued investment, early detection strategies, and robust community-based support systems. Drug-resistant TB, socio-economic barriers, and healthcare access disparities remain key hurdles. The burden, though reduced, remains substantial—making long-term vigilance essential to achieve India’s TB elimination targets by the end of this decade.
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