India Registers Landmark Progress in Organ Donation & Transplantation: NOTTO at the Helm of a National Transformation
India Registers Landmark Progress in Organ Donation & Transplantation: NOTTO at the Helm of a National Transformation
New Delhi, 22nd February 2026
Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narender Modi highlighting the importance of organ donation in his of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address has given impetus to the organ donation movement in the country.
India has achieved a significant milestone in the field of organ donation and transplantation, with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) recording unprecedented progress in organ donation, allocation, and transplantation across the country. The number of transplants in the country has increased from less than 5 thousand in the year 2013 to nearly 20 thousand in the year 2025, a remarkable fourfold increase. Around 18% of transplants are currently being performed with the organs donated from deceased donors.
More than 1200 families came forward to donate organs of their loved one after death in the year 2025, saving thousands of lives and improving the quality of Lives of many others. And each donor is now a multiorgan donor transforming lives of many. More than 4.8 lakh citizens have registered to donate organs and tissues after death through a Aadhaar based verification system, since 17th September 2023. India has achieved competence in performing difficult organ transplants like Heart, Lungs and Pancreas. India also leads the world in hands transplants and performs a greater number of hand transplants than any other country. These remarkable achievements reflect the strong and sustained impetus provided by the Government of India, translating policy vision into measurable, life-saving outcomes. India has one the best of transplant professionals and surgeons in the world who have achieved outcomes comparable to the best in the world and that too at a fraction of cost.
Over the past year, India has witnessed a historic rise in deceased organ donations, enhanced transplant coordination, and improved national-level organ sharing, ensuring that more patients receive timely and equitable access to life-saving transplants. The strengthened performance of NOTTO underscores India’s growing maturity as a responsive, ethical, and technology-enabled transplant ecosystem.
Government’s Strategic Push Delivering Results
The recent successes are the outcome of a comprehensive and multi-pronged government strategy, including:
These reforms have significantly reduced logistical barriers, improved clinical outcomes, and reinforced public trust in the organ donation system.
A People-Centric, Life-Saving Movement
Public awareness campaigns, community engagement, and sustained advocacy have catalyzed a positive shift in societal attitudes towards organ donation. Increasing numbers of families are stepping forward during moments of profound grief to give the gift of life, transforming loss into hope for countless recipients. NOTTO calls for promoting a culture of organ and tissue donation in Government establishments, institutions, organizations etc. NOTTO promotes multiorgan donations as a right of every family. Outreach of awareness has improved with active involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions and district and block level administration. Now the hospitals and systems are more ready to accept the donated organs and their efficient allocation and distribution to the waiting patients ensures maximum utilization. NOTTO and its regional and state level organizations and other networking institutions and organizations utilize opportunities to engage with citizens especially the youth and school children and motivate them to come forward for supporting the noble cause of organ donation. The huge support for the selfless act of organ donation from citizens and youth across the country is an act of solidarity for alleviating the suffering of fellow citizens.
Healthcare institutions across the country have responded with renewed commitment, demonstrating higher efficiency in donor identification, retrieval, and transplantation. The collaborative effort between central and state governments, transplant hospitals, clinicians, and civil society has created a robust and compassionate ecosystem.
Towards a Self-Reliant and Equitable Transplant Framework
The progress achieved under NOTTO’s stewardship also strengthens India’s vision of self-reliance in advanced healthcare, reducing dependence on overseas transplants while ensuring ethical, transparent, and equitable practices within the country.
India today stands as a growing global example of how strong governance, institutional reform, and people’s participation can together save thousands of lives.
The Road Ahead
Building on this momentum, the Government remains committed to further increasing deceased organ donation rates, expanding transplant infrastructure in underserved regions, deepening digital integration and national coordination and sustaining public awareness to make organ donation a nationwide movement.
The recent success of NOTTO is not merely an institutional achievement, it is a testament to India’s collective resolve to place human life, dignity, and compassion at the centre of public health policy.
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