India Slashes TB Deaths 38% Faster Than Global Average

India has significantly outpaced global efforts in reducing tuberculosis (TB) mortality, with a 38% decrease since 2015 compared to the worldwide average of 35%. The nation has also achieved a remarkable 94% treatment success rate for patients with drug-susceptible TB, as detailed in the World Health Organization's Global Tuberculosis Report 2026. These achievements are attributed to proactive strategies like AI-enabled X-rays for case finding and rapid diagnostics under the National TB Elimination Programme.

Globally, tuberculosis claimed 1.13 million lives in 2025, solidifying its position as the deadliest single infectious agent. Approximately 10.6 million people fell ill with TB worldwide that year, with 88% of new cases concentrated in 30 countries, including India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The disease disproportionately affects individuals with compromised immune systems and those engaging in unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) continues to be a critical public health challenge, with only about two in five individuals with drug-resistant TB receiving treatment in 2025. Despite this ongoing crisis, global initiatives combating TB have successfully saved an estimated 86 million lives since the year 2000. Tuberculosis, an airborne bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs, is both preventable and curable. India's 'TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' has screened over 25 crore individuals between December 2024 and November 2026.