India reports roughly 97% decline in malaria cases toward elimination

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India achieved an approximately 97% decline in malaria cases, with elimination targeted by 2030. The public-health gains strengthen community resilience and health equity, enhancing the social pillar of ESG for stakeholders operating across India.

India's public-health sector is registering a historic reduction in malaria incidence and mortality. At IMA NATCON 2025 in Ahmedabad, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed an approximately 97% decline in malaria cases versus past baselines, crediting schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and Mission Indradhanush. Independent epidemiological data show cases falling from an estimated 1.17 million in 2015 to about 227,000 in 2024, an 80–85% decline, with malaria-related deaths down roughly 78%. Over 92% of districts now report Annual Parasite Incidence below 1.

The progress affects India's healthcare system, public-health stakeholders and ESG investors. Strategies align with the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016–2030), targeting zero indigenous cases by 2027 and complete elimination by 2030. Shah also cited reduced dengue mortality to 1% and a 25% decline in maternal mortality. The achievement supported India's exit from the WHO's High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group. For ESG stakeholders, near-elimination enhances health equity, community resilience, and reduces disease burden and healthcare costs.

Health authorities should focus on focal, localised transmission persisting in specific geographic pockets shaped by ecology, mobility and access, as the source identifies these as the remaining challenge in the pre-elimination phase. Next steps include ensuring consistent private-sector reporting, expanding entomological capacity and enhancing urban malaria control. Stakeholders should monitor progress toward the 2027 zero-indigenous-case and 2030 elimination targets under the National Strategic Plans, and support cross-sector partnerships that sustain surveillance, diagnosis, vector control and public-health financing.

Key figure — Case decline: approximately 97% reduction in malaria cases versus past baselines