Organ Transplantation in India

Context:

On 2nd August 2025, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda addressed the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day Ceremony at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, organized by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO).

· The ceremony was part of the year-long national campaign “Angdaan – Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyan”, aimed at promoting awareness and encouraging citizens to pledge their organs for donation.

Achievement related to Organ Donation:

18,900 organ transplants conducted in 2024 — highest ever for India.
India now ranks 3rd globally in the number of organ transplants next to USA and China.
Leads the world in hand transplants, showing advanced surgical capability.
Over 3.3 lakh citizens pledged their organs via the NOTTO-Aadhaar platform launched in 2023.

Organ Donation Ecosystem in India

Organ transplantation in India is governed by a well-defined legal and regulatory framework to ensure ethical, safe, and equitable access to transplant services. The cornerstone of this framework is the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994, which has been amended and expanded over the years.

Purpose of the act:

o Regulates removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs and tissues for therapeutic purposes

o Prevents commercial dealings in human organs

Key Provisions of THOTA

Legalization of Brain Stem Death

· Recognizes brain stem death as a legal form of death

· Enables deceased organ donation for transplantation

Regulation of Living Donations

· Allows living donation from near relatives (parents, siblings, children, spouse, grandparents)

· Requires Authorization Committees to approve unrelated donations to prevent exploitation

Prohibition of Commercial Dealings

· Makes buying and selling of human organs a punishable offense

· Introduces strict penalties for organ trafficking and illegal transplant rackets

Promotion of Deceased Organ Donation

· Provides for institutional mechanisms to promote deceased donation:

o National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) – Apex body

o ROTTOs – Regional-level organizations

o SOTTOs – State-level organizations

About National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)

The organ transplant ecosystem in India is anchored by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), which facilitates policy coordination, data collection, awareness, and technical support.

· Apex body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

· Coordinates procurement, allocation, and distribution of organs nationwide

· Maintains central registry of organ donors and recipients

Challenges and Gaps

Despite these achievements, India’s organ donation rate remains below 1%, significantly lower than global averages. Challenges include:

Lack of awareness and social taboos around deceased donation.
Misinformation and religious misconceptions.
Shortage of trained professionals and infrastructure in tier-2 and rural areas.
Long waiting lists:

63,000+ patients await kidney transplants
22,000+ await liver transplants

Conclusion

India's achievement of 18,900 organ transplants in 2024 is not just a medical feat but a moral victory—fuelled by public empathy, professional excellence, and policy reform. As the movement grows, it carries a powerful message: that one act of kindness can offer life to eight others. The government's push to turn organ donation into a jan andolan echoes the core value of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, truly making it a national mission.