New Delhi: Nearly a quarter of all tuberculosis cases worldwide are in India yet the country’s estimated incidence does not appear in this year’s Global TB Report. In its dataset, the World Health Organisation (WHO) states: “Estimates of TB incidence and associated indicators are under review, pending finalisation and use of data from district-level sentinel surveillance. Estimates are expected to be updated in early 2027,” The Indian Express reported.The Union government has also skipped its own annual TB report, traditionally published in March around World TB Day, which carries detailed state-wise figures.Why the numbers are delayedA prevalence survey was carried out in 50 representative districts in 2025, and its findings are being analysed to arrive at fresh national estimates. Dr Katherine Floyd of the WHO was quoted as saying by IE, “A population level TB disease prevalence was conducted in 2025 in 50 representative districts. But there is a process to finalise the data. We need to look at the trends and see whether the data is comparable to the previous round of national TB prevalence survey in 2020-21. Once any required adjustments are made, the estimates will be released.”India’s earlier national surveys were held in 1955–58 and 2020–21. An expert who did not wish to be named said the district-level approach can be repeated more often.“While national surveillance is a superior way to calculate the estimates, it cannot be repeated very often as it is very resource intensive. Even a country like China has done it only three times. A district level surveillance can be repeated more frequently,” the source told IE. The new method is likely to lower India’s estimated incidence, partly because the programme is working, the expert added.The estimate matters because the difference between estimated and notified cases indicates people who remain undiagnosed or untreated and may keep transmitting the disease.Cases and deathsThe report recorded that 25.3 lakh people were diagnosed under the national programme in 2025, down from 26.18 lakh a year earlier. Deaths fell to 2.63 lakh from just over 3 lakh in 2024.This amounts to a 38% drop in TB mortality since the 2015 baseline, against a global decline of 35%. The WHO’s End TB strategy had set a 35% reduction target for 2020 and 75% for 2025, so India has reached the first milestone about five years behind schedule.Speaking to IE, sources credited the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP)’s measures, including AI-enabled X-rays, rapid diagnostics, differentiated care and nutritional support through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana and Ni-kshay Mitra for India achieving a “significant milestone” in the fight against TB. “India’s commitment is further reflected in 96% of TB programme funding requirements being met through domestic resources,” they said.Globally, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with TB in 2025 and 1.13 million died, still well short of the 2030 elimination goal.Dr Vikas Oswal, a chest physician and TB specialist, told IE that sustained investment is needed across the TB care journey, from early diagnosis and effective treatment to recovery and prevention. He urged wider access to chest X-ray screening and rapid molecular tests for vulnerable groups, with dependable referral and sample transport, and permanent public-private partnerships.