Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda on Tuesday launched the next phase of the focused and intensified 100-day TB Mukt Bharat campaign, marking a renewed push to accelerate India’s efforts towards eliminating tuberculosis. The initiative was unveiled on the occasion of World TB Day 2026, reinforcing the government’s commitment to achieving a TB-free India ahead of global targets.
The newly launched phase of the campaign will cover around 1.58 lakh villages and urban wards across the country. Each area will be guided by locally tailored micro-plans to ensure precise implementation and measurable outcomes. The campaign adopts a mission-mode strategy aimed at closing gaps in TB detection, treatment and care delivery. The initiative places strong emphasis on vulnerable groups, including migrant workers, tribal communities and the urban poor. By targeting high-risk populations, the campaign seeks to bridge last-mile healthcare gaps and ensure equitable access to TB diagnosis and treatment services.
A key feature of the intensified campaign is the use of advanced diagnostic tools such as AI-enabled screening, portable X-rays, and molecular testing. The government has also adopted symptom-agnostic screening to detect TB cases early, including those without visible symptoms, thereby addressing hidden disease burden more effectively.
Highlighting India’s achievements, the minister noted that the country has recorded a 21% decline in TB incidence and a 25% reduction in mortality over the past decade. Since the inception of the campaign, over 20 crore people have been screened, leading to the detection of more than 32 lakh TB cases, including a significant number of asymptomatic patients.
The campaign emphasizes a “whole-of-society” approach, encouraging community participation, public awareness, and stakeholder collaboration. The initiative aims to transform TB elimination into a mass movement, involving local bodies, healthcare workers, and citizens alike. The launch of the intensified 100-day TB Mukt Bharat campaign signals a decisive step in India’s fight against tuberculosis. With targeted interventions, advanced technology, and community-driven efforts, the government aims to accelerate progress and achieve the vision of a TB-free India in the coming years.
