New Delhi, Nov 30 (UNI) Reaffirming India's commitment to accelerating progress toward ending Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) will observe the national-level commemoration of World AIDS Day 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, in the national capital, on Monday (tomorrow).
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will lead the national level observance. Senior Health Ministry officials, including the Secretary, Additional Secretary and Director General of NACO, and the Director General of Health Services, will join the observance, which will highlight the nation's gains under NACP-V, marked by a 49% decline in new HIV infections and an 81% reduction in AIDS-related deaths, and unveil new initiatives focused on youth engagement, prevention, digital innovation and a stigma-free India.
In a statement issued here today, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that the event will bring together government leaders, development partners, youth representatives, community advocates, people living with HIV (PLHIV), and frontline health workers, reflecting a united approach to India's journey towards ending AIDS as a public health threat.
A youth-led flash performance will underscore the importance of awareness and responsible behaviour. This will be followed by the inauguration of a thematic exhibition, showcasing digital innovations, programme achievements, and community-led models implemented under the National AIDS and STD Control Programme. Beneficiary experience stories and an audio-visual presentation will highlight India's progress under NACP-V, along with upcoming priorities.
A major highlight of the observance will be the launch of a new campaign video series under NACO's national multimedia initiative, centred around three core pillars -- Youth and Awareness, Elimination of Vertical Transmission, and Stigma and Discrimination. In addition, key national programme resources will be released, including, 7th Edition of Sankalak, India HIV Estimates 2025, Research Compendium, and IT-enabled Virtual Intervention Landing Page.
The event will also feature a special live musical performance, themed around early testing, treatment adherence, and living with confidence.
The Ministry said that India has recorded significant gains under the ongoing phase of the National AIDS Control Programme, with HIV testing rising from 4.13 crore in 2020-21 to 6.62 crore in 2024-25, and the number of people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy increasing from 14.94 lakh to 18.60 lakh during the same period. Viral load testing too nearly doubled, growing from 8.90 lakh to 15.98 lakh. Between 2010 and 2024, the country achieved a 48.7 percent decline in new HIV infections, an 81.4 percent reduction in AIDS-related deaths, and a 74.6 percent drop in mother-to-child transmission -- outcomes that surpass global averages and underscore India's leadership, sustained domestic investment, evidence-based approaches and strong community participation.