India Crosses 20,000 Organ Transplants in 2025, Third Globally
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Science & Tech
Why in news
India performed a record 20,138 organ transplants in 2025, crossing the 20,000-mark for the first time, according to NOTTO's annual report. This milestone coincides with the 16th Indian Organ Donation Day and highlights government efforts to boost organ donation. India now ranks third globally in total organ transplants, after the US and China.
Background
Organ transplantation in India has grown significantly from 4,990 transplants in 2013 to over 20,000 in 2025. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) oversees the national program. Despite progress, deceased donor transplants remain low compared to demand, prompting recent policy reforms and awareness campaigns.
Key facts
India performed 20,138 organ transplants in 2025, a 6.5% increase over the previous year.
This is a fourfold rise from 4,990 transplants in 2013.
Delhi-NCR recorded the highest number of transplants (4,564), followed by Tamil Nadu (2,796), Maharashtra (2,136), Telangana (1,523), and Kerala (1,489).
Tamil Nadu topped in deceased organ donors with 266, followed by Maharashtra (205), Telangana (198), Karnataka (154), and Kerala (152).
India ranks third globally in total organ transplants, after the US and China.
India ranks first globally in living donor organ transplants, according to the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation report (2026).
Deceased donor transplants rose from 837 in 2013 to 3,526 in 2025, but still fall short of demand.
More than five lakh Aadhaar-verified organ donation pledges have been recorded since the national digital pledge portal was launched in 2023.
Government launched 'Jug Jug Jiyo Abhiyaan', a year-long awareness campaign, and e-Pratyaropan, a digital platform for donor registration and waitlist management.
Under 'One Nation, One Policy', domicile requirements, upper age limit, and registration fees for deceased donor organs have been removed.
Prelims pointers
- NOTTO: National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation
- Indian Organ Donation Day: observed annually, 16th edition in 2026
- Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation report
- e-Pratyaropan: digital platform for organ donation
- Jug Jug Jiyo Abhiyaan: awareness campaign
- Brain Stem Death Certification guidelines
- Swap Transplantation guidelines
- AIIMS: new institutes performing kidney, heart, liver transplants
- One Nation, One Policy: reforms in organ donation
- Aadhaar-verified organ donation pledges
Mains angles
- Discuss the challenges and opportunities in increasing deceased organ donation in India.
- Critically examine the effectiveness of government initiatives like 'One Nation, One Policy' in improving organ transplant accessibility.
- Analyze the ethical and legal issues surrounding organ donation and transplantation in India.