{"id":67360,"date":"2026-02-23T18:54:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T13:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=67360"},"modified":"2026-02-23T18:57:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T13:27:24","slug":"organ-donation-india-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-02-2026\/organ-donation-india-growth","title":{"rendered":"India Registers Landmark Progress in Organ Donation &amp; Transplantation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Issues Related To Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the Prime Minister of India, through his <em>Mann Ki Baat<\/em> address, has repeatedly highlighted the importance of organ donation, giving renewed momentum to the organ donation movement in India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Organ Transplantation\/Donation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a surgical procedure in which an organ, tissue or a group of cells are removed from one person and surgically transplanted into another person.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>One person can save up to 8 lives by donating heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and intestines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In India, the organ transplantation is one of the lowest in comparison with the western nations.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s organ donation rate remains under 1% relative to the population.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India ranks third globally in organ transplantation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Milestone in Organ Transplantation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India has achieved a significant milestone in organ donation and transplantation under the <strong>National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Achievements:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Transplants increased from <strong>less than 5,000 in 2013<\/strong> to <strong>nearly 20,000 in 2025<\/strong> \u2013 a fourfold rise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Around <strong>18% of transplants<\/strong> are now from deceased donors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Over <strong>1,200 families<\/strong> donated organs of their loved ones in 2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More than <strong>4.8 lakh citizens<\/strong> registered for organ donation through an Aadhaar-based verification system since September 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India has developed expertise in complex transplants such as <strong>Heart, Lung, and Pancreas<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India leads globally in <strong>hand transplants<\/strong>, performing the highest number worldwide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It reflects improvements in governance, technology integration, and public trust.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a <strong>National level organization<\/strong> set up under the <strong>Directorate General of Health Services,<\/strong> MoH&amp;FW.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It develops policy guidelines, conducts training, monitors transplant activities, maintains a national databank, and coordinates inter-regional organ allocations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Role of NOTTO<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Real-time organ allocation system<\/strong> enabling inter-state cooperation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expansion of the <strong>National Organ &amp; Tissue Transplant Registry<\/strong> ensuring transparency and traceability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Capacity building of <strong>SOTTOs (State)<\/strong> and <strong>ROTTOs (Regional)<\/strong> organizations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Standardized transplant protocols aligned with global best practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital integration for donor and patient registration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promotion of <strong>Green Corridors<\/strong> for rapid organ transport across states.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Laws and Rules Governing Organ Transplantation in India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA), 1994: <\/strong>To regulate removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purposes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To prevent commercial dealings in human organs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Provisions:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Legal recognition of <strong>brain death<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allows organ donation from <strong>living donors (near relatives)<\/strong>;\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Establishment of <strong>Authorization Committees<\/strong> for approval in cases of non-near relatives; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strict prohibition of organ trade with penal provisions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act, 2011:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Major Changes: <\/strong>Expanded scope to include <strong>tissues<\/strong> (renamed as Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act \u2013 THOTA).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Broadened definition of \u2018near relative\u2019 (includes grandparents and grandchildren).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mandatory <strong>registration of hospitals<\/strong> conducting transplants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stronger penalties for commercial organ trade.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provision for <strong>swap transplantation (paired exchange)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2014: <\/strong>These Rules operationalize the Act.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Key Features:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Brain death certification (by a board of medical experts).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consent process for deceased donation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Registration and regulation of transplant hospitals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Establishment of a national registry and allocation system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guidelines for Authorization Committees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transparency and documentation requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Brain Death Certification: <\/strong>It was defined under THOTA, 1994. It requires certification by a <strong>board of four medical experts<\/strong>, including treating physician, neurologist\/neurosurgeon, medical administrator, and another registered medical practitioner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Technology-Enabled and Ethical Ecosystem<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s transplant ecosystem is increasingly:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Digitalized:<\/strong> Aadhaar-based verification and online registries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transparent<\/strong>: Standardized allocation protocols.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Efficient:<\/strong> Improved coordination between hospitals and authorities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ethical:<\/strong> Emphasis on fairness and preventing organ trade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The system demonstrates good governance through accountability and citizen-centric service delivery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A People-Centric Movement: Drivers of Change<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The organ donation movement has evolved into a <strong>mass social initiative<\/strong>. It includes public awareness campaigns, engagement of Panchayati Raj Institutions, youth and school outreach programs, participation of district and block-level administration, hospital readiness and improved organ retrieval systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Families are increasingly viewing organ donation as a final act of compassion, transforming grief into hope.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Despite progress, challenges remain, like:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Low deceased donor rate compared to developed countries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regional disparities in transplant infrastructure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Need for sustained public awareness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ethical vigilance against commercialization.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Road Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Government aims to increase deceased organ donation rates, expand transplant infrastructure in underserved regions, deepen digital integration and national coordination, and sustain mass awareness campaigns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The success of NOTTO reflects India\u2019s commitment to placing <strong>human dignity, compassion, and equity at the centre of public health policy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2231563&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: PIB<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Recently, the Prime Minister of India, through his Mann Ki Baat address, has repeatedly highlighted the importance of organ donation, giving renewed momentum to the organ donation movement in India. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About Organ Transplantation\/Donation <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It is a surgical procedure in which an organ, tissue or a group of cells are removed from one person and surgically transplanted into another person. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> One person can save up to 8 lives by donating heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and intestines. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> In India, the organ transplantation is one of the lowest in comparison with the western nations. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-02-2026\/organ-donation-india-growth \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67360"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67360\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67365,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67360\/revisions\/67365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}