New Delhi: India has crossed a significant milestone in its organ donation journey, with more than five lakh citizens pledging to donate their organs and tissues, reflecting growing public awareness and acceptance of the life-saving cause.
The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), under the Union health ministry, said the achievement marks a major step towards building a culture of voluntary organ donation in the country.
Officials said the milestone underscores the increasing willingness of citizens to support organ and tissue donation, offering hope to thousands of patients awaiting transplants.
The growth has been particularly sharp over the past few years. Organ and tissue donor registrations have surged since the launch of Aadhaar-based verification and enhanced awareness campaigns. Earlier this year, registrations had crossed 4.8 lakh, before breaching the five-lakh mark.
India's organ transplant ecosystem has also expanded significantly. Annual transplants have increased from fewer than 5,000 in 2013 to nearly 20,000 in 2025, driven by improved infrastructure, policy reforms and greater public participation.
Despite the progress, experts point out that demand continues to far outstrip supply. Thousands of patients suffering from end-stage organ failure remain on waiting lists for life-saving transplants.
The government has been pushing awareness initiatives, digital registration platforms and streamlined allocation systems to encourage more people to pledge their organs and support deceased organ donation.
Health ministry officials described the achievement as a testament to the growing spirit of altruism among citizens and expressed hope that the rising number of pledges will translate into higher donation rates and save more lives in the years ahead.
BI Bureau
