India records 38% decline in TB mortality since 2015: What has changed and why is the fight far from over?

India has seen a 38% decrease in deaths from tuberculosis since 2015, showing great improvement in the fight against this common illness. This decrease is greater than the global decrease of 35% as seen in the WHO’s latest report.

According to the WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 published on the 12 th November; the estimated tuberculosis mortality rate has decreased from 28 deaths per lakh population in 2015 to 18 deaths per lakh in 2025. India also has a high success rate of 94% for treating those with drug susceptible tuberculosis.

What does this really mean? Does this mean that India has finally beaten tuberculosis?

Understanding the 38% decrease.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria affecting mainly the lungs. The disease spreads through airborne particles from those infected.

India has one of the highest burdens of tuberculosis globally, therefore this decrease is significant. It means that more people are surviving the disease.

However, this is only looking at mortality rates. Mortality rates are the number of deaths caused by tuberculosis. Incidence is how many new cases occur within a population in a specific time frame.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that there is less infections occurring.

The 38% decrease refers to the estimated mortality rate. This is based on estimates from the WHO looking at various sources such as the Sample Registration System in India, community based surveys and programme data.

Why has this improved?

India has made some significant changes to their tuberculosis strategy. They have moved away from waiting for patients to come forward to actively seeking those who may not have been diagnosed.

The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) has helped improve screening of patients. This has led to increased access to diagnostic services and treatment.

The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has also helped increase screening. Over 25 crore people have been covered due to intensified screening activities according to the Union Health Ministry. Over 11 crore chest x-rays and three crore molecular tests have been carried out.

Between December 2024 to November 2026, 48.64 lakh cases of tuberculosis have been found, with 14.97 lakh being asymptomatic cases.

Finding people with no obvious symptoms is very important. Some people may suffer from tuberculosis without any obvious symptoms. By actively screening people they can be found at an early stage and start their treatment sooner.

Technology has played a big role in helping to find people. AI enabled mobile chest x-ray units help identify those who need to be tested further. Rapid molecular testing helps to detect tuberculosis.

Why nutrition plays a role.

Nutrition has also been an important aspect of tuberculosis in India.

Tuberculosis and malnutrition are linked. Being undernourished can put you at higher risk of getting active tuberculosis. Likewise, having tuberculosis can worsen nutritional deficiencies.

To overcome this issue, the government have introduced the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana. This provides financial support to eligible tuberculosis patients.

The Ni-kshay Mitra initiative also encourages individuals, organisations and institutions to support those suffering from tuberculosis with nutrition and psychological support.

These are very important as it is not just about providing medication to treat tuberculosis. Patients must complete their treatment, have the correct nutrition and regular medical support.

The reported 94% success rate of treating those with drug susceptible tuberculosis shows improvements in treatment.

The numbers behind the ongoing fight.

Tuberculosis still remains a big public health concern in India.

In 2025, India diagnosed around 25.3 lakh cases of tuberculosis. There were also 2.63 lakh deaths reported. (The Indian Express).

The estimated incidence rate in India is not included in the 2026 WHO report. The incidence rate is currently being revised based on analyses from district level surveillance data from 2025. New estimates will be published early 2027.

This is important as it can show us how many people are going undetected. The difference between estimated infections and diagnosed cases can show us how many people are undetected.

India had aimed to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, earlier than the global target from the WHO by 2030. However, they have not managed to eliminate it.

What’s next?

The 38% decrease is a significant achievement however this does not mean that the crisis is over.

Globally, the WHO estimates that 10.6 million people developed tuberculosis in 2025. Around 1.13 million people died from the disease.

India must now ensure that by improving screening, patients can get diagnosed quickly and treatment completed. Getting to vulnerable communities, improving malnutrition, tackling stigma and improving healthcare facilities will be crucial.

Ultimately, we must ensure that everyone who has been diagnosed with tuberculosis can get treatment. This will be the true measure of success.

India have made great progress showing that tuberculosis does not have to be a public health crisis. However, there is still a long way to go until they can eliminate the disease.