The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) campaign to accelerate India’s progress towards eliminating tuberculosis through grassroots community engagement and youth participation. The nationwide social media campaign was organised on 13 October 2026 across 11 states and 55 districts on a pilot basis, building on India’s significant achievements in TB control over the past decade.
India has achieved a 21% decline in new TB cases between 2015 and 2024, outpacing the global reduction of 12% during the same period. Treatment coverage stands at 92%, compared to the global average of 78%, with TB-related deaths falling by 28%. The new JOSH campaign represents the next phase of India’s community-led approach to eliminate TB before the 2030 global deadline.
Key facts
- JOSH campaign launched 13 October 2026 across 11 states and 55 districts on pilot basis
- 28.1 crore people screened under the intensified TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
- 20 lakh individuals provided TB Preventive Treatment (TPT)
- 5.7 lakh new Nikshay Mitras (TB Friends) added to the programme
- 46,118 Gram Panchayats awarded TB-free certification
- 34-fold increase in X-ray screening via handheld units
- 15,000 drug-resistant TB patients initiated on the shorter BPaLM regimen
- 1,87,250 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs operational for TB diagnosis and treatment
- Over 9,800 rapid molecular testing facilities and 107 culture and drug susceptibility testing laboratories
- Treatment success rate under TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan risen to 90%
What is JOSH and how will it work
JOSH represents a structured community mobilisation initiative that brings together youth volunteers, military cadets, and government officials to drive TB awareness at the grassroots level. Each JOSH team comprises MY BHARAT volunteers (youth aged 15-29 years), cadets from the National Cadet Corps, and a designated government officer. The campaign encourages all government ministries, healthcare institutions, educational organisations, and citizens to participate by sharing content, photographs, videos and personal stories about TB awareness, early detection, and treatment on social media platforms.
The campaign addresses a critical gap in India’s TB elimination efforts: community participation and awareness, particularly among vulnerable and marginalised populations. By mobilising youth as frontline communicators, the JOSH initiative aims to remove the stigma associated with TB diagnosis and treatment, which often delays people from seeking care.
Progress under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (TB-Free India Campaign), launched in September 2022, forms the foundation of India’s intensified TB elimination strategy. Under this people’s movement, cumulative screening has exceeded 28.1 crore individuals. The campaign has successfully mobilised over 30,000 elected representatives, 24 government ministries, and millions of volunteers.
The 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, launched in December 2024 across 347 high-priority districts, focused on systematic screening of high-risk populations and vulnerability mapping. During the second phase starting March 2026, over 1.7 lakh Ayushman Arogya Shivirs (health camps) were organised in 1.2 lakh high-risk villages and wards, involving 32 lakh students and 1.9 lakh MY BHARAT volunteers. The treatment success rate has reached 90%, surpassing the global average of 88%.
Support mechanisms for TB patients
India’s TB elimination programme includes financial and social support systems to improve treatment outcomes. The Nikshay Poshan Yojana provides Rs 1,000 monthly to each notified TB patient to support nutritional needs, with Rs 4,454.68 crore disbursed to 1.38 crore beneficiaries since April 2018. As of November 2025, 6,77,541 individuals and organisations serving as Nikshay Mitras (TB Friends) have distributed over 45 lakh food baskets to TB patients and provided psychosocial support.
Advanced technology and innovation
India has deployed significant technological infrastructure for TB detection and treatment. Over 500 AI-enabled handheld chest X-ray units are operational, with 1,500 more being delivered to states and union territories. This represents a 34-fold surge in X-ray screening capacity. The National TB programme operates the world’s largest diagnostic network with more than 9,800 rapid molecular testing facilities and 107 culture and drug susceptibility testing laboratories.
The TB Mukt Bharat App, integrated with an AI chatbot called “Khushi”, helps citizens track TB elimination progress, understand symptoms, and locate nearby diagnostic centres. The Nikshay digital platform facilitates direct benefit transfer of nutritional support to TB patients.
For drug-resistant TB, the shorter BPaLM regimen containing Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid and Moxifloxacin reduces treatment duration from 20 months to 6 months. Over 15,000 drug-resistant TB patients have been initiated on this regimen.
What this means for you
If you suspect TB symptoms—persistent cough, fever, or chest pain—free diagnosis and treatment are available at all public health facilities and many private centres. Call the toll-free Nikshay Sampark helpline at 1800-11-6666 for guidance. The TB Aarogya Sathi app on Android phones helps locate nearby diagnostic centres and provides medication advice and nutritional guidance.
If you are diagnosed with TB, the government provides free treatment and Rs 1,000 monthly nutritional support. A Nikshay Mitra (TB Friend) volunteer can provide regular food assistance and emotional support during the treatment period, which typically lasts six months.
What happens next
The JOSH campaign will expand community participation in TB awareness, screening and treatment adherence across the pilot 11 states and 55 districts. The strategies developed during the 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan continue to be scaled nationally across all districts. India aims to achieve TB elimination before the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal deadline through this combination of institutional support and community-led action.