Assam has emerged as the Northeast state’s highest contributor to HIV cases, with 33,145 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) according to the Union Health Ministry Report 2025-26.

Key Highlights

The latest data highlights the continuing public health challenge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Northeast India despite sustained awareness and treatment efforts.

• Assam has 33,145 People Living with HIV, followed by Mizoram (26,321), Nagaland (23,731), Manipur (23,463), Tripura (10,769), Meghalaya (9,244), Arunachal Pradesh (2,630) and Sikkim (533).
• Assam accounts for nearly half of the HIV-positive women in the Northeast, with 6,809 women living with HIV out of the regional total of 13,809.
• The state also recorded 146 HIV-positive pregnant women, the highest in the region, highlighting the need for stronger mother-to-child transmission prevention programmes.
• The estimated HIV prevalence in Assam stands at 0.13 per cent.

Why is Assam More Vulnerable?

• Assam serves as the gateway to Northeast India, resulting in high migration, mobility, urbanisation and increased population movement.
• Uneven healthcare access and social stigma continue to hinder early diagnosis and treatment.
• Certain vulnerable groups remain difficult to reach through conventional health interventions.

Government Initiatives

• National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)

• Operates under: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

• Objective: Prevention, testing, treatment, care and support for HIV/AIDS patients.

• Information, Education and Communication campaigns are being conducted to spread awareness, encourage testing and reduce stigma.
• ‘Red Fest’ youth campaign uses music, cultural programmes and community outreach to educate young people about HIV prevention.
• State-level AIDS Councils are improving coordination among departments and stakeholders.
• Antiretroviral Therapy centres provide free lifelong treatment to people living with HIV.
• Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission programme focuses on antenatal screening and treatment of pregnant women.

About HIV

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a retrovirus that attacks the body’s immune system, particularly CD4 cells, reducing the ability to fight infections.
  • CD4 cells play a crucial role in defending the body against infections and diseases.
• Over time, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells, weakening immunity and increasing vulnerability to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.
• If untreated, HIV can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
• HIV spreads through the exchange of infected bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk.
• The virus spreads through unprotected sexual contact, infected blood transfusion, sharing contaminated needles and from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
• There is currently no cure, but Antiretroviral Therapy enables people to live long and healthy lives.

Way Forward

• Strengthening early testing, uninterrupted treatment access, awareness campaigns, stigma reduction and targeted outreach to vulnerable groups will be crucial for controlling HIV in Assam.

Exam Hook – Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding HIV/AIDS:

1. HIV primarily attacks the body’s immune system.
2. Antiretroviral Therapy can completely cure HIV infection.
3. HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

One-Line Wrap

Assam’s highest HIV burden in Northeast India highlights the need for stronger awareness, early diagnosis, stigma reduction and universal access to treatment services.