World AIDS Day 2025, the country has seen a 49 per cent decline in new HIV infections
Digital Desk: On May 20, 1983, a landmark study in Science announced the discovery of a “retrovirus” isolated from a patient at risk of developing AIDS. Led by French virologists Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier at the Institut Pasteur, this breakthrough provided the first clear understanding of what would become one of the most devastating infections in modern times.
Four decades later, India has recorded remarkable progress in its fight against HIV. According to the data released by the government on World AIDS Day 2025, the country has witnessed a 49 per cent decline in new HIV infections, an 81 per cent drop in AIDS-related deaths, and a 75 per cent reduction in mother-to-child transmission between 2010 and 2024. These are a reflection of the sustained impact of the National AIDS Control Programme.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, HIV indicators have shown steady improvement in India over the past fourteen years. New infections have fallen to nearly half their 2010 levels. AIDS-related mortality has declined even more sharply. The substantial decline in mother-to-child transmission is attributed to expanded screening, early diagnosis and timely treatment for pregnant women.
Several factors are contributing to these developments . Testing for HIV has increased significantly, from 41.3 million tests in 2020–21 to 66.2 million in 2024–25—leading to earlier detection. Coverage of ART also increased, from 1.49 million people four years ago to 1.86 million people today. Viral load testing, critical to monitoring the success of treatment, has nearly doubled.
According to the WHO, early diagnosis and timely treatment help individuals achieve an undetectable viral load, improving health outcomes and reducing transmission.
Symptoms of AIDS
• Persistent fever and night sweats: A continuous high fever, often accompanied by heavy night sweats that do not respond to normal medication.
• Chronic fatigue: Extreme and persistent tiredness that does not improve with rest.
• Unexplained weight loss: Noticeable and significant weight loss, sometimes referred to as "wasting syndrome," which can be linked to chronic infections.
• Recurring infections: Frequent or prolonged illnesses such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, or fungal infections that occur because the body's defenses are too weak to fight them off.
• Persistent diarrhea: Loose stools that last for weeks or longer without a clear cause.
• Swollen lymph nodes: Enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin as the immune system fights the infection.
• Oral thrush: A fungal infection in the mouth that can cause white patches on the tongue and cheeks.
• Persistent skin lesions: Genital or perianal herpetic ulcers that last for more than a month are considered a hallmark of active AIDS.
• Other neurological symptoms: This can include headaches, short-term memory loss, or confusion.
World AIDS Day 2025, commemorated on December 1, has the theme “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response.” It remembers the lives lost, stands in solidarity with the people living with HIV, and calls for actions by countries to enhance health systems, increase access, and ensure dignity for all communities affected.
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