Leprosy in India: prevalence falls to 0.57 per 10,000 in 2024–25; 31 States below elimination threshold
On 5 October 2025, a government explainer on the National Leprosy Eradication Programme said India's leprosy prevalence fell to 0.57 per 10,000 in 2024–25, and that 31 States and 638 districts were below 1 per 10,000 as of March 2025.
Summary
On 5 October 2025, a government explainer on leprosy reviewed the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission. India reached elimination status nationally (prevalence below 1 per 10,000) in March 2005 and has kept it since. As of March 2025, 31 States and 638 districts were below that threshold. Prevalence fell from 57.2 per 10,000 in 1981 and 0.69 in 2014–15 to 0.57 in 2024–25. The new case detection rate fell from 9.73 to 7.0 per 100,000 between 2014–15 and 2024–25. Recent steps include a three-drug regimen for both paucibacillary and multibacillary cases from 1 April 2025, notification of leprosy by all health sectors in 2025, and the Nikusth 2.0 portal, launched on National Anti-Leprosy Day, 30 January 2023. Multi Drug Therapy, endorsed by WHO in 1982, marked the start of NLEP in 1983. The programme follows the National Strategic Plan and Roadmap for Leprosy 2023–27.
Key facts
- Elimination
- National PR <1/10,000 since March 2005
- 2024–25
- PR 0.57/10,000; NCDR 7.0/100,000; child cases 4.68%
- Sub-national
- 31 States, 638 districts below 1/10,000 (Mar 2025)
- Tools
- Nikusth 2.0 (30 Jan 2023); 3-drug regimen from 1 Apr 2025; MDT since 1983
Practice MCQs 3 questions
In which year did India achieve leprosy elimination status at the national level (prevalence rate below 1 per 10,000 population)?
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Correct answer: B — 2005
PIB (MoHFW explainer): India achieved elimination status in March 2005 at the national level, meaning a prevalence rate below 1 per 10,000 population, and has sustained it.
Nikusth 2.0, the revamped web portal for leprosy data and monitoring, was launched on which occasion?
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Correct answer: D — National Anti-Leprosy Day, 30 January 2023
PIB: Nikusth 2.0, a revamped web-based ICT portal for recording, reporting and monitoring leprosy activities, was launched on 30 January 2023 (National Anti-Leprosy Day) by the Union Health Minister.
Consider the following statements about leprosy in India: 1. As of March 2025, 31 States and 638 districts had a prevalence rate below 1 per 10,000 population. 2. The new case detection rate rose from 7.0 per 100,000 in 2014–15 to 9.73 per 100,000 in 2024–25. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: as of March 2025, 31 States and 638 districts had achieved a prevalence rate below 1 per 10,000. The new case detection rate fell (not rose) from 9.73 per 100,000 in 2014–15 to 7.0 in 2024–25.