Mizoram continues to have the highest adult HIV prevalence in India at 2.75 per cent, far above the national average of 0.20 per cent, even as the state reports a steady decline in new infections over the past several years, state officials highlighted.
According to the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), the state has shown significant progress in HIV prevention efforts and has improved its national ranking from fifth in 2024–25 to third in 2025–26 on the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) scorecard.
MSACS Project Director Dr Jane R Ralte emphasised that the number of new HIV cases in the state has been falling since 2018, reflecting stronger prevention and response measures. However, she cautioned that Mizoram still remains the most affected state in terms of overall prevalence.
Between April 2024 and November 2025, authorities tested more than 1.4 lakh blood samples and identified 3,257 new HIV infections, including 953 women and 179 pregnant women. The highest number of new cases was recorded among people aged 25 to 34 years.
Officials revealed sexual transmission accounted for 70.4 per cent of the new cases, followed by 27.3 per cent linked to needle sharing among intravenous drug users. Mother-to-child transmission made up 1.8 per cent, while the remaining cases came from unknown sources.
Since the first HIV case was detected in Mizoram in 1990, the state has reported 33,781 infections. Around 26,321 peopleare currently living with HIV, while 5,026 deaths due to AIDS-related complications have been recorded since antiretroviral therapy (ART) was introduced in 2005.
State Health Minister Lalrinpuii highlighted that the government has strengthened treatment and prevention services, with 14 ART centres operating across Mizoram and 18,355 patients currently receiving therapy. She added that the government is also exploring partnerships with churches to promote HIV testing, including before marriage, to further reduce transmission.
