Health Ministry reviews malaria elimination push in 33 high-burden districts
On 28 August 2026, the Union Health Ministry reviewed progress towards malaria elimination by 2030, noting a nearly 80% fall in cases and deaths since 2015 and a drop in high-burden districts from 155 to 33.
Summary
The Union Health Ministry reviewed India's progress towards eliminating malaria by 2030 at a high-level meeting chaired by Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the National Health Mission, on 28 August 2026. Malaria cases and deaths fell by nearly 80% between 2015 and 2025, and the number of high-burden districts dropped from 155 to 33. As many as 160 districts reported zero indigenous cases during 2022â2025. The 33 high-burden districts in nine States and UTs accounted for 64% of cases and 54% of deaths in 2025, and detailed reviews covered Mizoram, Odisha, Tripura, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
Key facts
- Target
- Malaria elimination by 2030 (SDG)
- Decline 2015â2025
- Nearly 80% in cases and deaths
- High-burden districts
- 155 → 33
- Zero indigenous cases
- 160 districts (2022â2025)
- 33 districts' share, 2025
- 64% of cases, 54% of deaths
- Nodal body
- National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
By which year does India aim to eliminate malaria, as reaffirmed at the Health Ministry review of August 2026?
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Correct answer: C â 2030
India's target, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, is malaria elimination by 2030.
According to the Health Ministry, the number of high-burden malaria districts in India fell from 155 to how many between 2015 and 2025?
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Correct answer: A â 33
High-burden districts fell from 155 to 33; 160 is the number of districts with zero indigenous cases in 2022â2025.
Consider the following statements about India's malaria situation as reviewed in August 2026: 1. The 33 high-burden districts accounted for 64% of malaria cases and 54% of malaria deaths in 2025. 2. The 33 high-burden districts are spread across nine States and Union Territories. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C â Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the 33 districts across nine States/UTs accounted for 64% of cases and 54% of deaths in 2025.