World AIDS Day: Building on India’s global AIDS control success

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1every year.
The theme for 2025 is ‘Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response’.
Strong Policy Framework in India: Landmark measures like the HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017safeguard the rights of people living with HIV and prohibit discrimination.
Progress through the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP). India has reduced new infections and expanded access to ART through evolving strategies across NACP phases.

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 30, 2025: World AIDS Day is a global observance held on December 1 every year to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, remember those who have died from HIV-related illnesses, and support people living with HIV/AIDS. It was first marked in 1988 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and has since become a platform for governments, communities, and individuals to unite in the fight against the disease.

The theme for this year is “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.” It emphasises the need to not only preserve past progress but also transform HIV services to make them more resilient, equitable, and community-led. This theme highlights the urgency of addressing disruptions caused by pandemics, conflicts, and inequalities that limit access to care. India marks World AIDS Day each year through nationwide awareness campaigns, community outreach activities, and renewed government commitments led by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

India’s Journey

India’s AIDS Control Programme is globally acclaimed as a success story. The initial phase (1985-1991) focused on identifying HIV cases, ensuring safe blood transfusions, and generating targeted awareness. The response gained momentum with the launch of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) and the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), which was established in 1992 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to coordinate a multi-sectoral national strategy. Over time, the focus of NACP shifted from a national response to a more decentralised response and to increase the involvement of NGOs and networks of People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)

It has evolved through five phases, shifting from basic awareness to comprehensive prevention, testing, treatment, and sustainability.

NACP I (1992–1999)

Launched India’s first comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention and control programme.
Aim: Slow the spread of HIV and reduce morbidity, mortality, and overall impact of AIDS.

NACP II (1999–2006)

Focused on two key objectives:
- Reduce the spread of HIV in India.
- Strengthen long-term national capacity to respond to HIV/AIDS.

NACP III (2007–2012)

Goal: Halt and reverse the HIV epidemic by 2012.
Strategy:
- Scale up prevention among High-Risk Groups (HRGs)and the general population.
- Integrate prevention, care, support, and treatment
Key addition: Creation of District AIDS Prevention and Control Units (DAPCUs)for district-level coordination and monitoring, including stigma/discrimination reporting.

NACP IV (2012–2017)

Goal: Accelerate reversal of the epidemic and ensure an integrated response.
Objectives:
- 50% reduction in new infections(compared to 2007 baseline).
- Provide comprehensive care, support, and treatment for all PLHIV.
Extended (2017–2021)to advance the goal of Ending AIDS by 2030.
Major initiatives during extension:
- HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017)- It prohibits discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV), ensures confidentiality, and mandates informed consent for testing and treatment while promoting prevention and access to care.
- Mission Sampark- Its purpose was to “bring back” people living with HIV (PLHIV) who had stopped antiretroviral therapy (ART) — i.e. to trace and re-engage those “lost to follow-up”.It uses a community-based testing and follow-up approach.
- ‘Test and Treat’ policy(initiating ART for all diagnosed cases)
- Routine Universal Viral Load monitoring

NACP V (2021–2026)

Launched as a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 15,471.94 crore, Phase-V aims to build on past achievements and address persistent challenges. The goal of this Phase is to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 by helping end the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 through comprehensive risk reduction of prevention, testing, and treatment services.