Page 44 - Mann ki Baat English Feb 2026

Organ donation in India stands as one
of the most profound and compassionate
acts a person can undertake, transforming
personal loss into renewed life and hope.
It is far more than a medical procedure; it
reflects a shared social responsibility and
our collective conscience as a nation. Organ
transplantation today demonstrates how
medical science, responsive public policy,
and citizen participation can converge to
save lives. Over the past decade, India has
steadily built a transparent and nationally
coordinated transplant ecosystem
grounded in accountability, technology,
and growing public trust.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri
Narendra Modi, has been emphasising the
Dr. Anil Kumar importance of organ donation in his ‘Mann ki
Director Baat’ addresses, giving significant impetus
National Organ and Tissue to the movement across the country.
Transplant Organisation The progress is evident. The number of
(NOTTO)
organ transplants in India has increased
fourfold—from less than 5,000 in 2013 to more
than 20,000 in 2025. Deceased donor organ
ORGAN transplants have increased from 837 in 2013
to about 3,475 in 2025. The national organ
DONATION donation rate has also risen fourfold during
this period. These achievements reflect
IN INDIA sustained policy reforms, strengthened
the
and
mechanisms,
governance
dedication of healthcare professionals
Policy, Public Trust, across the country. and Public
Policy,
Awareness
and Collective Participation
Responsibility India’s transplant ecosystem is
anchored in the Transplantation of Human
Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) 1994, which
recognises brainstem death, establishes
safeguards against misuse, and mandates
transparent and equitable organ allocation.
The foundation of organ donation

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