India recorded 3,832 new leprosy cases among children in 2025-26, including 37 who already had Grade-2 disability at diagnosis, according to the latest National Leprosy Eradication Programme report.

The child caseload was 91.6 percent higher than the NLEP’s target of 2,000 cases for the year, The Hindu reported. The WHO treats new child cases as an indicator of recent transmission.

The figures come as India pursues the National Strategic Plan for Leprosy 2023-27, which aims to interrupt transmission at the district level by 2027. A district is considered to have interrupted transmission after reporting zero new indigenous child cases for five consecutive years.

The 37 children with Grade-2 disability at diagnosis point to delayed detection. Leprosy is curable with multi-drug therapy, which is provided free at government health facilities.

The data shows the 2027 goal is slipping. Sustained active case detection and contact tracing remain the only path to breaking the chain of transmission.