World AIDS Day 2025 | 02 Dec 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organised the World AIDS Day 2025 observance under the theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response” and highlighted the national progress on AIDS control. 

  • In 1998, WHO marked the first World AIDS Day on 1st December to recognize the crucial role of civil society in driving a global response to  HIV/AIDS. 

What is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS? 

  • About: HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, primarily damaging CD4 cells (white blood cells), weakening the body and making it vulnerable to infections and cancers. 
  • Transmission: Occurs via direct contact with infected bodily fluids (blood, semen, breast milk, vaginal fluids) like unprotected sex, shared needles, or unsterilized tattooing. It is not spread through casual contact. 
  • Symptoms: Early signs include fever and rash. Later stages may involve swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, and diarrhea. Severe HIV can lead to opportunistic illnesses such as tuberculosis, meningitis, and cancers like lymphoma. 
  • Treatment: There is no cure. However, lifelong daily Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) effectively controls the virus. 
  • Global Response: UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 aims to end the HIV epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

What is India's National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)? 

  • About NCAP: National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) is India’s initiative for the prevention, control, and management of HIV/AIDS.  
    • It is implemented by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 
    • AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. It is the advanced, final stage of infection caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). 
  • Evolution of NACP: Launched in 1992, NACP has evolved through several phases, each with a strategic focus: 
    • NACP I (1992–1999): Launched India's first comprehensive programme to slow the spread of HIV. 
    • NACP II (1999–2006): Focused on reducing transmission and strengthening national capacity. 
    • NACP III (2007–2012): Aimed to halt and reverse the epidemic by scaling up prevention and integrating services.  
      • Established District AIDS Prevention and Control Units (DAPCUs). 
    • NACP IV (2012–2017 & extended to 2021): Accelerated reversal and integrated care. 
      • It aimed 50% reduction in new infections (compared to 2007 baseline)Key initiatives included: 
      • The HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, prohibiting discrimination. 
      • Mission Sampark to re-engage People Living with HIV (PLHIV) lost to follow-up. 
      • 'Test and Treat' policy and universal viral load monitoring. 
    • NACP V (2021–2026): A Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of over Rs 15,000 crore, aligning with SDG 3.3 to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. 

  • Achievement of NACP:  
    • India’s HIV prevalence dropped from 0.33% in 2010 to 0.20% in 2024, far below the global average of 0.70%, showing India’s strong control over the epidemic. 
    • New HIV infections fell from 1.25 lakh in 2010 to 64,500 in 2024—a 49% decline, better than the global reduction of 40%.  
    • India now accounts for only 5% of global new infections (1.3 million in 2024), reflecting effective government efforts and wider ART access. 
    • Under NACP-V, HIV testing increased from 4.13 crore (2020-21) to 6.62 crore (2024-25), People on antiretroviral treatment rose from 14.94 lakh to 18.60 lakh. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q. What is HIV and how is it transmitted? 
HIV attacks the immune system, primarily CD4 cells, and spreads via infected bodily fluids—blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk. Casual contact does not transmit the virus. 

Q. What is the primary goal of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) Phase-V? 
NACP-V aims to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3, through comprehensive prevention, testing, and treatment. 

Q. What are the key achievements of India under NACP-V? 
HIV testing increased from 4.13 crore to 6.62 crore, ART coverage rose from 14.94 lakh to 18.60 lakh, and viral load testing nearly doubled. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Q. Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing? (2013)

  1. Chikungunya  
  2. Hepatitis B  
  3. HIV-AIDS  

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:  

(a) 1 only  

(b) 2 and 3 only   

(c) 1 and 3 only  

(d) 1, 2 and 3  

Ans: (b)

Q. Which one of the following statements is not correct? (2019) 

(a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.   

(b) Hepatitis B unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine.   

(c) Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses arc several times more than those infected with HIV.   

(d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years.   

Ans: (b)

Q. With regard to the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which one of the following statements is not correct? (2010) 

(a) The chances of transmission from female to male are twice as likely as from male to female 

(b) The chances of transmission are more if a person suffers from other sexually transmitted infections   

(c) An infected mother can transmit the infection to her baby during pregnancy, at childbirth and by breast feeding   

(d) The risk of contracting infection from transfusion of infected blood is much higher than an exposure to contaminated needle   

Ans: (a)

Q. Consider the following statements: (2010)

  1. Hepatitis B is several times more infectious than HIV/AIDS  
  2. Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer  

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?   

(a) 1 only   

(b) 2 only   

(c) Both 1 and 2   

(d) Neither 1 nor 2   

Ans: (c)