World marks World AIDS Day on December 1 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, honour those who have died, and support people living with the virus. First marked by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1988, the day brings governments, communities, and individuals together worldwide to confront the epidemic. This year’s theme, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” stresses safeguarding past progress while making HIV services more resilient, equitable, and community-led, particularly in the face of pandemics, conflicts, and systemic inequalities. In India, the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is ramping up awareness campaigns, community outreach programmes, and policy initiatives to expand testing, strengthen prevention, improve treatment access, and tackle stigma against people living with HIV (PLHIV).
India’s Strategic Policy Measures
India has built a strong legal and policy framework to protect the rights of PLHIV and ensure access to care. The HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, prohibits discrimination, mandates informed consent for testing and treatment, and safeguards confidentiality. Through the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), India has steadily reduced new infections and expanded access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) over five phases, adapting strategies to cover prevention, testing, treatment, and sustainability.
The Evolution of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)
India began its AIDS control efforts focusing initially on raising awareness and identifying HIV cases between 1985 and 1991. The country gave the programme a major boost with the establishment of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in 1992 under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, coordinating a nationwide response with state governments, NGOs, and community networks.
In the next phase, the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) was launched. Its first phase (NACP I, 1992–1999) aimed to slow the spread of HIV and reduce morbidity and mortality. Building on this, NACP II (1999–2006) strengthened India’s capacity to respond to the epidemic while continuing preventive measures in communities and among high-risk groups.
NACP III (2007–2012) focused on halting and reversing the epidemic. It introduced targeted prevention for high-risk populations, integrated care and treatment services, and established District AIDS Prevention and Control Units (DAPCUs) to coordinate local activities and monitor stigma and discrimination.
NACP IV (2012–2017), which was further extended to 2021, accelerated epidemic control, aiming for a 50% reduction in new infections compared to 2007 while ensuring comprehensive care for all people living with HIV (PLHIV). This phase saw the implementation of the HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, the Mission Sampark programme to trace and re-engage PLHIV lost to follow-up, the ‘Test and Treat’ policy to initiate ART for all diagnosed cases, and routine universal viral load monitoring.
The current phase, NACP V (2021–2026), launched as a central government scheme with an outlay of Rs. 15,471.94 crore, builds on past achievements to strengthen prevention, expand testing, and improve access to treatment. It aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.3, aiming to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, while promoting community-led interventions and government-led monitoring for lasting impact.
Awareness and Community Outreach
NACO drives awareness through multimedia campaigns, digital platforms, and social media, complemented by outdoor outreach using hoardings, bus panels, information kiosks, folk performances, and IEC vans. Community engagement includes training Self-Help Groups, Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, and Panchayati Raj members to promote behavioural change. Targeted interventions cover 1,587 projects across India (as of October 2025) to ensure equitable access to prevention, testing, treatment, and care. Nationwide thematic campaigns reduce stigma and promote inclusion of PLHIV in workplaces, healthcare facilities, schools, and communities. Ombudsmen appointed in 34 States/UTs address complaints of discrimination, reinforcing PLHIV rights.
Impact and Progress in Numbers
India has achieved a 48.7% decline in annual new HIV infections, an 81.4% reduction in AIDS-related deaths, and a 74.6% drop in mother-to-child transmission between 2010 and 2024. HIV testing increased from 4.13 crore (2020–21) to 6.62 crore (2024–25), ART coverage rose from 14.94 lakh to 18.60 lakh PLHIV, and viral load testing nearly doubled from 8.90 lakh to 15.98 lakh.
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