India has cut leprosy prevalence by 99 percent over 44 years, the government said. The prevalence rate fell from 57.2 per 10,000 population in 1981 to 0.57 per 10,000 in 2025. The number of patients on treatment dropped 98 percent, from 39.19 lakh to 0.82 lakh. Since March 2006, when the annual report confirmed prevalence below 1 per 10,000, new case detection has fallen 37 percent. The figures were shared in an official statement. Leprosy, also called Hansen’s disease, is a curable bacterial infection that mainly affects skin and nerves. Early treatment with multi-drug therapy prevents disability. India reached the elimination milestone of under 1 case per 10,000 in 2005 at the national level. Health workers continue door-to-door screening in high-burden pockets. Experts say stigma remains a challenge even as medical progress continues. The government runs the National Leprosy Eradication Programme with free diagnosis and treatment available across the country.