Update on NLEP

1. At a Glance

• NLEP (National Leprosy Eradication Programme) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under National Health Mission (NHM), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, aimed at eliminating leprosy as a public health problem. [S1][S3]
• India accounts for the largest leprosy burden globally; NLEP combines active case detection (LCDC, FLC), free MDT, surveillance and stigma-reduction (Sparsh campaign). [S1][S2]
• The National Strategic Plan & Roadmap for Leprosy (2023–2027) targets zero transmission by 2027, three years ahead of SDG 3.3 (2030). [S2]

2. Why in the News

• PIB release (10 March 2026) reported intensified elimination efforts through Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC), Focused Leprosy Campaign (FLC) and nationwide awareness drives. [S1]
• 27,428 new cases confirmed through LCDC in FY 2024-25. [S2]
• Leprosy notification made mandatory across all health sectors (Government, Private, NGOs, medical colleges) in 2025. [S2]

3. Background & Evolution

• 1955 — National Leprosy Control Programme launched (Dapsone monotherapy). [S3]
• 1983 — Renamed National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP); introduction of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT). [S3]
• 2005 — India achieved WHO's elimination target (<1 per 10,000 population) at national level. [S3]
• 30 Jan 2023 — Nikusth 2.0 ICT portal launched on Anti-Leprosy Day (Mahatma Gandhi's martyrdom day). [S3]
• 2023 — National Strategic Plan & Roadmap for Leprosy (2023–2027) released aiming zero transmission by 2027. [S2]

4. Core Static Facts

• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme under NHM umbrella. [S1]
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Central Leprosy Division (CLD). [S1]
• Causative organism: Mycobacterium leprae (chronic, long incubation). [S1]
• Classification (WHO): Paucibacillary (PB) — ≤5 skin lesions; Multibacillary (MB) — >5 lesions.
• Treatment: Free MDT (Rifampicin + Clofazimine + Dapsone) — provided by WHO globally.
• Disability grading: Grade 0, Grade 1, Grade 2 Disability (G2D) — visible deformity (key NLEP indicator). [S2]
• Prevalence Rate: 57.2/10,000 (1981) → 0.69/10,000 (2014-15) → 0.57/10,000 (2024-25). [S2]
• 31 States/UTs and 638 districts have achieved PR <1/10,000 as of March 2025. [S2]
• Key Campaigns: LCDC (house-to-house in high-burden districts, twice yearly), FLC (300 households / entire village around a G2D case), Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (around 30 Jan). [S1][S2]
• Portal: Nikusth 2.0 (launched 30 Jan 2023). [S3]

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Social - Leprosy carries severe stigma; 97 discriminatory laws historically affected patients (e.g., divorce grounds). Sparsh campaign targets stigma reduction. [S1] - Rehabilitation through Reconstructive Surgery (RCS) grants and disability pensions in some states.

Administrative - Centrally sponsored — funds devolved to States/UTs based on Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under NHM; utilization depends on absorption capacity. [S1] - Mandatory notification across all sectors (2025) plugs private-sector reporting gap. [S2]

Scientific / Technological - Nikusth 2.0 enables real-time digital surveillance, contact tracing and follow-up. [S3] - Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) with single-dose Rifampicin for contacts being scaled up.

Legal / Constitutional - Supreme Court (Pankaj Sinha v. UoI, 2018) directed government to eliminate discriminatory laws. - Personal Laws Amendment Act, 2019 removed leprosy as ground for divorce. - Falls under Concurrent List entry on public health.

Global / SDG - Aligns with WHO Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030 "Towards Zero Leprosy" and SDG 3.3 (end NTD epidemics by 2030). India's 2027 target is 3 years ahead of SDG. [S2]

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• 10 March 2026 — PIB update on intensified LCDC, FLC, nationwide awareness. [S1]
• 2025 — Mandatory leprosy notification extended to private sector, NGOs, medical colleges. [S2]
• FY 2024-25 — 27,428 new cases detected via LCDC; PR dropped to 0.57/10,000. [S2]
• October 2025 — PIB feature "Leprosy in India: Road to a Disease-Free Future". [S2]

7. Prelims Hooks

• NLEP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under National Health Mission (not central sector). [S1]
• NLEP launched in 1983, replacing the 1955 National Leprosy Control Programme. [S3]
• Causative bacterium: Mycobacterium leprae (Hansen's disease).
• MDT: Rifampicin + Clofazimine + Dapsone — supplied free of cost.
• WHO classification: Paucibacillary (≤5 lesions) vs Multibacillary (>5 lesions).
• National Anti-Leprosy Day: 30 January (Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary). [S3]
• Nikusth 2.0 portal launched 30 Jan 2023. [S3]
• India achieved WHO elimination level (<1/10,000) in 2005. [S3]
• Prevalence Rate in 2024-25: 0.57 per 10,000. [S2]
• NSP & Roadmap for Leprosy 2023–2027 targets zero transmission by 2027. [S2]
• Grade-2 Disability (G2D) = visible deformity — key NLEP outcome indicator. [S2]
• LCDC = house-to-house active case search; FLC = focused around G2D index case. [S1][S2]
• Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign held around 30 January annually. [S1]
• Personal Laws Amendment Act, 2019 removed leprosy as ground for divorce.

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II — Government policies & interventions for vulnerable sections; Health.
• GS-III — Issues relating to development; Science & Technology.
• Possible question stems: 1. "India achieved leprosy elimination as a public health problem in 2005, yet pockets of transmission persist. Critically examine NLEP's strategy under the 2023–2027 Roadmap." 2. "Stigma, not bacteria, sustains leprosy in India. Discuss in light of legal reforms and the Sparsh campaign." 3. "Compare India's leprosy elimination targets with WHO's Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• National Health Mission (NHM) — parent umbrella scheme.
• WHO Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030 — international benchmark.
• Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) — leprosy is a WHO-listed NTD.
• SDG 3.3 — end NTD epidemics by 2030.
• Personal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2019 — removed leprosy-based discrimination.
• Kala-azar, Lymphatic Filariasis elimination programmes — parallel NTD efforts.
• Ayushman Bharat–Health & Wellness Centres — frontline screening platform.
• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 — leprosy-cured included.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• NLEP ≠ National Leprosy Elimination Programme — official name is Eradication (since 1983), though goal is "elimination as a public health problem."
• WHO elimination target = <1 per 10,000 population (not zero cases); achieved 2005. India's 2027 goal is zero transmission, a stricter measure. [S2][S3]
• NLEP is under MoHFW (Central Leprosy Division) — not under Ministry of Social Justice or AYUSH.
• Anti-Leprosy Day is 30 January (Gandhi's death), not World Leprosy Day (last Sunday of January, WHO).
• MDT is free under NLEP; Dapsone-alone (pre-1983) is obsolete.

11. Sources

• [S1] Update on NLEP — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2237746 — (tier: 1)
• [S2] Leprosy in India: The Road to a Disease-Free Future — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2174943 — (tier: 1)
• [S3] Update on National Leprosy Eradication Programme — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2117214 — (tier: 1)