- Indigenous Innovation: India has officially rolled out ‘c-TB’ (Cy-Tb), a cost-effective, highly accurate skin test designed to detect latent tuberculosis infection with superior specificity over the traditional Mantoux test.
- WHO Prequalification: As of July 2025, the Serum Institute of India’s Cy-Tb test achieved World Health Organization prequalification, validating its efficacy for global procurement and international distribution.
- Elimination Roadmap: By mid-2026, the Ministry of Health has integrated AI-based chest X-ray screening and decentralized c-TB testing across more than 160,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to bridge the 21% incidence decline gap.
India’s marathon toward a tuberculosis-free future has reached a clinical milestone. The nationwide introduction of the indigenous ‘c-TB’ skin test marks a shift from passive observation to surgical precision in diagnostic policy. This “Made in India” solution is not merely a budgetary relief for the public health sector; it is a sophisticated diagnostic tool engineered to identify latent TB infections that previously evaded conventional screening methods.
The Technological Edge: c-TB vs. Traditional Diagnostics
For decades, the Tuberculin Skin Test (Mantoux) was the global standard, yet it frequently yielded false positives in populations vaccinated with the BCG vaccine—a demographic that includes nearly every Indian citizen. The new ‘c-TB’ test (marketed as Cy-Tb) utilizes a fusion of ESAT-6 and CFP-10 proteins. This specific formulation ensures that the test only reacts to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, ignoring the cross-reactivity caused by the BCG vaccine.
Clinical Comparison: Skin Test Accuracy
| Feature | Traditional Mantoux | Indigenous c-TB |
|---|---|---|
| BCG Interference | High (False Positives) | Negligible |
| Specificity | Moderate | High (>90%) |
| Cost Profile | Low | Ultra-Low (Local MFG) |
A Multi-Pronged Eradication Strategy
Speaking at the most recent high-level health summit, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda emphasized that the ‘c-TB’ rollout is the centerpiece of an aggressive 2026 roadmap. This strategy hinges on the decentralization of services to the grassroots level. By mid-2026, the government has successfully scaled rapid molecular diagnostics to the sub-district level, supported by over 9,800 molecular testing facilities.
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been equally transformative. AI-driven software now analyzes chest X-rays in real-time at rural health centers, flagging suspicious cases for immediate c-TB confirmation. This technological synergy ensures that cases are caught in the latent stage—before they become infectious—effectively breaking the chain of transmission.
“The validation of Cy-Tb by global health authorities is a testament to India’s R&D capabilities. We are no longer just consumers of global health products; we are the primary providers of affordable diagnostics for high-burden nations.” — Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) Briefing
Digital Support and Social Commitment
Addressing the socioeconomic barriers to treatment, the government continues to leverage the Ni-kshay portal. Just as digital payment ecosystems have revolutionized financial inclusion, the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana utilizes Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to provide monthly nutritional support of up to ₹1000 to TB patients. This financial cushion is critical in ensuring treatment adherence among vulnerable populations.
The 2025 Global TB Report highlighted a 21% decline in TB incidence in India since 2015. While the ambitious 2025 elimination goal faced headwinds during the post-pandemic recovery, the WHO prequalification of Cy-Tb in July 2025 has provided the necessary momentum to push for near-total eradication by 2027.
The ‘Adopt a Patient’ Initiative: 2026 Expansion
The “Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan” has evolved into a mass movement. The initiative encourages “Ni-kshay Mitras”—including corporates, NGOs, and individual citizens—to adopt TB patients and provide them with diagnostic and nutritional aid. This community-led model has bridged the gap between clinical intervention and social stigma, ensuring that the 2026 deployment of c-TB reaches the most remote corners of the country.
As India prepares for the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on TB, the indigenous c-TB test stands as a beacon of clinical self-reliance. By combining high-science diagnostics with ground-level social support, India is drafting the definitive blueprint for eliminating one of history’s most resilient pathogens.
