Mizoram improves HIV prevention ranking but records highest adult prevalence

Despite improving its ranking in national HIV prevention efforts, Mizoram continues to record the highest adult HIV prevalence in India at 2.75 per cent , far above the national average of 0.20 per cent, officials said.

According to Dr Jane R Ralte , Project Director of the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), the state has seen a declining trend in new HIV infections since 2018 , reflecting the impact of strengthened prevention strategies. Mizoram improved its position from 5th in 2024–25 to 3rd in 2025–26 in the national HIV prevention ranking, she said.

Between April 2024 and November 2025 , 3,257 new HIV cases were detected from over 1.4 lakh blood samples , including 953 women and 179 pregnant women . The 25–34 age group accounted for the highest number of new infections, with sexual transmission responsible for more than 70 per cent of cases, followed by needle-sharing among intravenous drug users.

The first HIV case in Mizoram was detected in October 1990 , and since then, 33,781 cases have been reported. At present, around 26,321 people are living with HIV , while 5,026 AIDS-related deaths have been recorded since the rollout of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2005.

Mizoram, along with Nagaland and Manipur , forms the top three states with the highest HIV prevalence in the country , highlighting the need for greater focus on HIV prevention and treatment programmes in the Northeast .

To ensure continuity of care, the state has established 14 ART centres , where over 18,000 patients are currently receiving treatment. The government is also engaging community institutions, including churches , to expand awareness and promote HIV testing, particularly before marriage.

Health Minister Lalrinpuii said the government is making “ massive efforts to prevent HIV spread ” through a combination of prevention, treatment and community outreach, even as the high prevalence rate remains a major public health challenge .