In May 2025, the Indian Government announced the classification of leprosy as a 'notifiable disease' across the whole country. This means that each newly detected case of leprosy in India must be reported to the National Leprosy Eradication Program.
Lepra warmly welcomes this new ruling. By mandating the reporting and recording of new cases of leprosy, India has taken an important proactive step in tackling leprosy head on with full transparency. This will help to ensure people affected by leprosy gain easier access to the treatment and support services available to them. Areas with high prevalence can also be more easily identified, and awareness and treatment campaigns targeted more efficiently.
The implementation of this ruling will significantly contribute to the World Health Organisation’s 2030 Global Leprosy Strategy's strategic aims of preventing disability and interrupting the transmission of leprosy.
The important step builds on Lepra’s long-term vision of a world-free from leprosy.
