India Reduces HIV Infections 49% and AIDS Deaths 81% – Leading Global Progress Ahead of World AIDS Day
India reports 48.7% drop in new HIV infections, 81.4% reduction in AIDS deaths from 2010-2024.
India has made remarkable strides in combating HIV/AIDS, achieving a 48.7% decline in annual new infections, an 81.4% reduction in AIDS-related deaths, and a 74.6% drop in mother-to-child transmissions between 2010 and 2024. These gains exceed global averages and stem from the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), bolstered by increased domestic funding, data-driven interventions, and community involvement. HIV testing surged from 4.13 crore in 2020-21 to 6.62 crore in 2024-25, antiretroviral treatment access grew from 14.94 lakh to 18.60 lakh people living with HIV (PLHIV), and viral load testing nearly doubled to 15.98 lakh.
The Health Ministry highlighted these achievements ahead of World AIDS Day 2025, underscoring India's position as a global leader in HIV response. Progress builds on earlier efforts, with adult HIV prevalence stabilizing at around 0.2-0.21% and new infections falling faster than the worldwide 39-44% reduction since 2010. Enhanced screening, treatment coverage, and prevention strategies have driven down estimates from over 2.4 million PLHIV in prior years to sustained control of around 2.5 million cases.
Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will headline national observances at Vigyan Bhawan on December 1, joined by officials, development partners, youth, PLHIV advocates, and health workers. Organized by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), the event features a youth-led flash performance on awareness, a thematic exhibition of digital tools and community models, beneficiary stories, and an audiovisual on NACP-V accomplishments. A new campaign video series launches, focusing on youth awareness, vertical transmission elimination, and stigma reduction.
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These initiatives reflect a comprehensive strategy to end AIDS as a public health threat, emphasizing stigma elimination, equitable care, and youth engagement. Sustained momentum positions India to meet ambitious UNAIDS targets ahead of schedule, with frontline workers and communities at the forefront.
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