India aims to eliminate TB ahead of the global 2030 target. Critically assess the pace of progress and the role of technological innovation in bridging implementation gaps.

Q. India aims to eliminate TB ahead of the global 2030 target. Critically assess the pace of progress and the role of technological innovation in bridging implementation gaps. (15 marks, 250-350 words)

Renamed from RNTCP in 2020, the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) advanced India's elimination goal ahead of the WHO End TB deadline of 2030. Progress has been real but uneven — India still carries about 25% of the global TB burden [4] — making technological innovation central to closing the last-mile gap rather than a mere add-on.

Progress achieved - Falling burden: TB incidence fell from 237 to 187 per lakh population between 2015 and 2024 (21% decline), nearly double the global rate of decline [1]. - Mortality decline: TB deaths dropped from 28 to 22 per lakh (2015–2023), with missing cases cut sharply [2]. - Mass case-finding: the 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (launched 7 December 2024, Panchkula) covered 347 high-burden districts, screening 12.97 crore persons and detecting 7.19 lakh cases, many asymptomatic [3]. - Community model: lakhs of Ni-kshay Mitras and Ni-kshay Poshan direct benefit transfers address the nutrition–TB link [3].

Where the pace falls short - India's own 2025 elimination target lapsed; the residual burden remains the world's largest [4]. - Detection of asymptomatic cases shows persistent under-diagnosis outside campaign mode. - Diagnostic delay in remote terrain: sputum samples took a median 15 days to yield a diagnosis, costing patients about ₹9,451 in out-of-pocket expenditure [5]. - Global TB financing shortfalls threaten the durability of these gains [6].

Technology as the bridge - ICMR's i-DRONE pilot in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri (Telangana), with AIIMS Bibinagar and NTEP, cut diagnosis time to 5 days and patient cost to ₹91 [5]. - Originally built for COVID-19 vaccine delivery, i-DRONE now carries blood bags, corneas and TB samples — a reusable public-health logistics platform [7].

Technology therefore addresses precisely where the programme lags: last-mile delivery, diagnostic delay and catastrophic patient expenditure. Scaling drone-assisted transport across tribal and hilly districts, backed by sustained financing and digital surveillance, can convert campaign-driven spikes into steady decline. This aligns NTEP with SDG 3.3 and with Article 21's guarantee of health as part of the right to life.

(~330 words)

Sources: 1. PIB — TB incidence in India drops by 21% from 237 per lakh (2015) to 187 per lakh (2024) — incidence decline, faster than global rate 2. PIB — Update on National TB Elimination Programme — mortality decline 28→22 per lakh; missing cases reduced 3. PIB — Union Health Minister launches 100-day intensified nationwide TB campaign, Panchkula — 347 districts, screening and detection figures, Ni-kshay Mitras 4. WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2025 — India's ~25% share of global TB burden 5. PIB — Update on NTEP: ICMR i-DRONE study on drone-assisted TB sample transport (Press Information Bureau) — 15→5 days; ₹9,451→₹91 (exact release page not retrievable; title cited) 6. WHO — Global gains in tuberculosis response endangered by funding challenges (12 Nov 2025) — financing risk to TB response 7. PIB — Shri Mansukh Mandaviya launches i-Drone, ICMR's drone-based vaccine delivery model — i-DRONE origin and multi-use platform