World AIDS Day: India has recorded sharp gains in its fight against HIV over the past decade and a half, with new official data showing steep declines in fresh infections, AIDS-related deaths and transmission from mother to child.
Between 2010 and 2024, annual new HIV infections fell by 48.7 per cent, AIDS-related deaths dropped by 81.4 per cent and cases of mother-to-child transmission declined by 74.6 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday, ahead of World AIDS Day 2025. The ministry said India continues to make “substantial progress” under the current phase of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP).
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Programmatic indicators have also improved significantly in recent years. HIV testing has gone up from 4.13 crore tests in 2020–21 to 6.62 crore in 2024–25. The number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy has risen from 14.94 lakh to 18.60 lakh in the same period, while viral load testing has almost doubled from 8.90 lakh to 15.98 lakh.
“These outcomes are better than global averages and reflect India’s leadership, sustained domestic financing, use of evidence-based strategies and strong community participation,” the ministry said.
Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will preside over the national-level World AIDS Day function at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Monday, alongside senior officials, to reiterate the Centre’s commitment to HIV prevention, treatment, care and the fight against stigma and discrimination.
The event, being organised by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), will see participation from government representatives, development partners, youth groups, community leaders, PLHIV networks and frontline health workers, signalling a consolidated push towards ending AIDS as a public health threat.
A youth-led flash performance is planned to highlight the importance of awareness and responsible behaviour. This will be followed by the inauguration of a thematic exhibition on digital tools, programme milestones and community-driven models under the National AIDS and STD Control Programme.
Beneficiary testimonies and an audio-visual presentation will showcase India’s journey under NACP-V and outline the next set of priorities. A key feature of the observance will be the launch of a new campaign video series under NACO’s national multimedia initiative, built around three pillars: youth and awareness, elimination of vertical (mother-to-child) transmission, and tackling stigma and discrimination.
