India has recorded a significant rise in organ transplantation, with the total number of transplants increasing nearly fourfold to approximately 20,000 in 2025, according to the Union Health Ministry. The milestone reflects sustained growth in both living and deceased organ donations across the country.
Officials stated that India’s organ transplant numbers have seen consistent expansion over the past decade. The rise is attributed to improved awareness, expanded transplant infrastructure, streamlined allocation systems, and coordinated efforts under the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO).
Organ transplantation involves surgically replacing a failing organ with a healthy organ from a donor. Commonly transplanted organs include:
Kidneys
Liver
Heart
Lungs
Pancreas
Kidney and liver transplants account for the majority of procedures in India. India also leads the world in hand transplants and performs more hand transplants than any other country.
The government noted that policy reforms, digital registries, and inter-state organ sharing mechanisms have strengthened the national transplant ecosystem.
The Karnataka government has approved, in January, a major multi-speciality transplant hospital project with 1000 beds in partnership with the Azim Premji Foundation, to be developed near NIMHANS over five years.
In a recent address during Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to an infant organ donor and the child’s family from Kerala, describing the act as an example of the “gift of life.”
The Prime Minister urged citizens to consider organ donation and emphasized that even a single donor can save multiple lives.
Infant and pediatric organ donations are relatively rare but can be life-saving for critically ill children awaiting transplants.
More than 4.8 lakh citizens have registered to donate organs and tissues after death through an Aadhaar-based verification system since 17 September 2023.
See also: Bengaluru Doctor Wins Legal Battle to Donate Kidney to Stranger, Enabling Life-Saving Transplant
One of the key drivers behind the rise in transplant numbers has been growth in deceased donor organ donation. Deceased donation typically occurs after the declaration of brain death in hospital settings, with consent from family members.
Improved coordination between hospitals, transplant centers, and regional organ sharing networks has helped reduce organ wastage and improve allocation efficiency.
India’s transplant system operates under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), which regulates organ donation and transplantation to prevent commercial exploitation.
Efforts contributing to the surge include:
Establishment of new transplant centers
Training programs for transplant coordinators
Public awareness campaigns
Digital waiting lists managed through NOTTO
Faster green corridor transportation systems for organ transfer
Several states have also strengthened their State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (SOTTOs) to streamline regional coordination.
While India’s transplant numbers have grown substantially, the deceased donor rate per million population remains lower than in several Western countries. Public health officials have stated that continued awareness efforts are necessary to normalize discussions around organ donation.
(Rh)
