India Records More Than 5 Lakh Organ Donation Pledges; Major Milestone in Healthcare Awareness

India has crossed the landmark figure of 5 lakh organ donation pledges, reflecting growing public awareness, compassion, and commitment towards the life-saving cause of organ and tissue donation.

The achievement marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to strengthen the organ transplantation ecosystem and promote voluntary organ donation.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) stated that the milestone highlights increasing public recognition of organ donation as an act that can provide a second chance at life to patients awaiting transplantation.

The achievement has been facilitated by the Aadhaar-based Organ Donation Pledge Registration Portal developed under the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), making registration more accessible, transparent, and secure.

National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)

Established: 2014

Nodal Agency under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Headquarters: New Delhi

Functions:

National registry for organ donation and transplantation.

Coordination and allocation of organs.

Promotion of organ donation awareness.

Maintenance of donor and recipient databases.

Organ Transplantation in India

Number of transplants increased from less than 5,000 in 2013 to nearly 20,000 in 2025.

More than 1,200 families donated organs of deceased relatives in 2025.

Around 18% of transplants currently use organs from deceased donors.

India has emerged as a global leader in hand transplantation.

Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994

Enacted: 1994

Regulates removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs and tissues.

Recognizes brain-stem death as a form of death.

Aims to prevent commercial trading of human organs.

National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP)

Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Objective:

Promote organ donation.

Strengthen transplant infrastructure.

Improve coordination among transplant centres.

Create awareness regarding organ and tissue donation.

Organ Donation Types

Living Donation

Donor donates an organ while alive.

Common organs:

Kidney

Part of liver

Deceased Donation

Organs donated after brain-stem death or cardiac death.

Can save multiple lives through transplantation.

Commonly Transplanted Organs

Kidney

Liver

Heart

Lungs

Pancreas

Small Intestine

Commonly Donated Tissues

Cornea

Skin

Bone

Heart Valves

Tendons

Important Health Days

Indian Organ Donation Day

Observed annually on 3 August.

Objective:

Promote awareness regarding organ donation.

Honour organ donors and donor families.

World Organ Donation Day

Observed annually on 13 August.

Why is it Important?

Helps bridge the gap between demand and supply of organs.

Encourages a culture of voluntary organ donation.

Enhances survival chances for patients suffering from end-stage organ failure.

Reflects the success of awareness campaigns and healthcare reforms.

Supports Universal Health Coverage and improved healthcare outcomes.

Exam Focus Points (Quick Revision Notes)

Achievement in News → India crosses 5 lakh organ donation pledges

Nodal Organization → NOTTO

Administrative Ministry → Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Registration Platform → Aadhaar-based Organ Donation Pledge Portal

Relevant Law → Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994

Major Milestone → 5 lakh pledges registered

Transplants in 2025 → Nearly 20,000

Deceased Donor Families in 2025 → More than 1,200

Important Day → Indian Organ Donation Day (3 August)

Key Objective → Promote voluntary organ and tissue donation