New Delhi: India has achieved a nearly 80 per cent decline in both malaria cases and deaths between 2015 and 2025, the Union Health Ministry said, while the number of high-burden districts has fallen from 155 to 33.
Concentration of cases in a small number of districts
The ministry said that during 2022–2025, 160 districts reported zero indigenous malaria cases, indicating sustained interruption of local transmission in those areas. However, the 33 high-burden districts — spread across nine states and Union Territories — together accounted for a disproportionate share of the national burden, responsible for 64 per cent of malaria cases and 54 per cent of malaria deaths recorded in 2025.
A high-level review of the programme was chaired by Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM). The meeting brought together senior officials from the Union Health Ministry, representatives of the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), state NHM Mission Directors and district collectors to consider targeted responses in the remaining hotspots.
States and districts under detailed review
Detailed state-wise examinations were carried out for the following states and territories: Mizoram, Odisha, Tripura, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Officials were urged to tailor interventions to local epidemiology and geography and to implement district- and village-level action plans in malaria-prone areas.
The review emphasised strengthening the routine "Test, Treat and Track" approach, noting that delays in diagnosis and therapy remain important contributors to malaria fatalities. States were advised to:
- intensify active surveillance in endemic and hard-to-reach locations;
- guarantee continuous availability of diagnostic tests and anti-malarial medicines;
- implement District Action Plans and Village Action Plans tailored to local needs;
- investigate unusually high Annual Blood Examination Rates (ABER) to ensure data quality.
The ministry asked states to ensure uninterrupted diagnostic services and drug supplies, particularly where access is constrained by terrain or population vulnerability. Strengthening surveillance systems and improving the quality and timeliness of malaria data were flagged as priorities for sustaining progress and preventing resurgence.
Implications for the national elimination goal
Officials at the meeting reiterated India’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating malaria by 2030 and urged sustained vigilance to consolidate gains. The reduction in reported cases and deaths over the decade reflects the impact of targeted control and elimination measures, the ministry said, but cautioned that concentrated transmission in a relatively small set of districts demands focused action.
| Indicator | 2015–2025 change |
|---|---|
| Decline in malaria cases and deaths | ~80% |
| High-burden districts | From 155 to 33 |
| Districts with zero indigenous cases (2022–2025) | 160 |
| Share of cases in 33 districts (2025) | 64% |
| Share of deaths in 33 districts (2025) | 54% |
The review identified delays in diagnosis and initiation of anti-malarial treatment as critical drivers of malaria mortality. To address these gaps, the meeting recommended improved active case detection, timely referral pathways and uninterrupted supply chains for diagnostics and medicines, especially in remote and vulnerable communities.
Strengthening surveillance includes verifying high Annual Blood Examination Rates (ABER) where reported, to rule out data artefacts and to ensure resources are directed where they are most needed. The NCVBDC and state programmes will be expected to work closely with district authorities to refine local strategies.
Health ministry officials said the gains against malaria are encouraging but fragile; sustained investment, operational focus at district level and community engagement remain essential to move from substantial control to elimination. Readers are reminded that this report is based on official ministry information; anyone seeking personal medical advice should consult a qualified physician or local health authority.
