India renews fight against HIV as World AIDS Day 2025 calls for resilient, inclusive care

Every year on 1 December, the world observes World AIDS Day — a moment to remember lives lost to HIV/AIDS, support those living with the virus, and renew the commitment toward ending the epidemic.

For 2025, the theme is “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.” The focus: not just preserving earlier gains, but building HIV services that are more resilient, equitable and community-driven so that even disruptions — from pandemics, inequalities or resource gaps — do not derail care.

India’s journey against HIV has been long and evolving. Since the early focus on awareness and blood-safety in the mid-1980s and 1990s, the country kicked off a comprehensive national response with the launch of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) under National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) — now widely regarded as a successful public health initiative.

Across its five phases (NACP I to NACP V), the programme has expanded from prevention and awareness to testing, treatment, long-term care and social support. Important milestones include the adoption of the HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, which protects the rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and prohibits discrimination.

Under the ongoing NACP-V (2021–2026), backed by a central allocation of over ₹15,470 crore, the government aims to eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 — aligning with the global goal under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

To reach this goal, efforts have intensified: massive awareness campaigns via media and social platforms; grassroots outreach through Self-Help Groups, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers and local community networks; nearly 1,587 “Targeted Intervention” projects focusing on high-risk groups; and on-ground campaigns to fight stigma and discrimination.

States and Union Territories have also appointed “Ombudsmen” under the 2017 law to address discrimination complaints — ensuring legal protection and dignity for PLHIV.

Through these efforts, India’s AIDS-response story has become one of resilience and transformation — shifting from crisis-management to long-term, rights-based, community-led care. In 2025’s World AIDS Day, that journey is being recommitted with renewed energy and vision.

As the world marks this day again, the message is clear: HIV/AIDS is not just a medical challenge, but a social one — and only with inclusive policy, accessible care and community solidarity can we hope to end it.