India Records 38% Decline in TB Mortality Since 2015, Outperforms Global Reduction

NEW DELHI: India has recorded a 38% decline in tuberculosis (TB) mortality between 2015 and 2025, outperforming the global reduction of 35%, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2026, released on November 12.

The report shows that India’s estimated TB mortality rate fell from 28 deaths per lakh population in 2015 to 18 deaths per lakh in 2025. The country also recorded a 94% treatment success rate among patients with drug-susceptible tuberculosis.

The findings indicate progress in India’s efforts to reduce TB-related deaths through early diagnosis, treatment access and patient support. However, the disease remains a major public health challenge. India continued to account for approximately 23% of global TB deaths in 2025, according to WHO estimates.

Globally, an estimated 10.6 million people developed tuberculosis in 2025, while 1.13 million died from the disease. The figures underline the continuing scale of the epidemic despite improvements in prevention and treatment. 

India’s TB Mortality Rate Falls from 28 to 18 per Lakh

According to the WHO report, India’s estimated TB mortality rate declined from 28 deaths per lakh population in 2015 to 18 per lakh in 2025, representing a 38% reduction over the decade.

The reduction is higher than the global decline of 35% recorded during the same period. WHO also noted that India was among four high-TB-burden countries to achieve at least a 35% reduction in TB mortality by 2025, alongside Bangladesh, China and Vietnam. The improvement is significant, but it falls short of the WHO End TB Strategy’s 2025 target of reducing TB deaths by 75% compared with 2015. India has therefore achieved the strategy’s earlier 35% milestone, albeit five years after its original 2020 deadline.

The WHO report also estimates that India accounted for around 23% of all TB deaths worldwide in 2025, making it the country with the largest share of the global burden. Indonesia accounted for approximately 11%, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa and Pakistan.

The figures demonstrate that progress in reducing mortality has not eliminated the substantial public health challenge posed by tuberculosis in India. 

Treatment Success Reaches 94% as Screening Efforts Expand

India recorded a treatment success rate of 94% among patients with drug-susceptible TB, according to the Union Health Ministry’s account of the WHO report. The figure reflects the proportion of patients in the relevant treatment cohort who successfully completed treatment or were declared cured. The government attributed the improvement to interventions under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), including expanded screening, rapid diagnostic testing, timely treatment and nutritional assistance.

Under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, more than 25 crore people have been covered through intensified screening, according to figures released by the Health Ministry on November 12. The campaign has also facilitated more than 11 crore chest X-rays and over three crore molecular diagnostic tests.

The ministry reported that 48.64 lakh TB cases were detected through the intensified screening initiative, including 14.97 lakh asymptomatic cases. Identifying people who may not yet show noticeable symptoms is important because undiagnosed infections can delay treatment and contribute to further transmission. The government has also highlighted the use of artificial intelligence-enabled chest X-ray screening and digital tools to identify high-risk individuals. Nutritional assistance through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana and community support through the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative are additional components of the programme.

The ministry said that 96% of the funding requirements for the national TB programme were met through domestic resources. These figures were presented by the government as indicators of expanded screening capacity and stronger programme implementation. 

India’s TB Burden Remains High Despite Progress

Despite the reduction in mortality, India remains among the countries most affected by tuberculosis. WHO estimates that the country accounted for nearly one-quarter of global TB deaths in 2025.

There is also an important data limitation in the 2026 report, WHO did not publish a new estimated TB incidence figure for India in its country assessment, as the latest national prevalence survey data were still undergoing technical discussions. The government has shared findings from the 2025 survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis with WHO.

This distinction matters because reported cases represent people diagnosed and notified to the health system, while estimated incidence attempts to account for all people who develop the disease, including those who are not diagnosed or reported.

The WHO report also makes clear that global progress remains behind the targets set under its End TB Strategy. Worldwide, the estimated number of people developing TB in 2025 was 10.6 million, and the decline in incidence since 2015 was only 14%, well below the target of a 50% reduction by 2025.

India’s decline in mortality is therefore an important achievement, but the continued scale of infections and deaths highlights the need to strengthen diagnosis, treatment completion, prevention and access to healthcare. 

The latest findings show that India has made measurable progress in reducing TB deaths and improving treatment outcomes. However, the country’s large share of global cases and deaths means that sustaining these gains will require continued investment in public health services, early detection and patient support.