World Leprosy Day 2026

Date

25 January

Theme

"Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma."

About

• Caused by Mycobacterium leprae
• Also called Hansen's Disease

Transmission

Respiratory droplets during prolonged contact.

Incubation

5–20 years

Treatment

Multi Drug Therapy (MDT)

WHO

Provides MDT free since 1995.

India

National Leprosy Day:
30 January

Government Programme

National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)

Target

Zero Transmission, Zero Leprosy by 2027

UPSC Prelims One-Liners

• NHIS will be India's first National Household Income Survey.
• ASISSE will estimate GVA, employment, capital formation, and service-sector performance.
• India's first LNG–Diesel Dual Fuel DEMU was launched at Sabarmati, Gujarat.
• The new CSIR–NIO Regional Centre at Visakhapatnam focuses on the Blue Economy and deep-sea research.
• UMEED Portal now includes Survey and Waqf Property Lease Management modules.
• Rangeilunda Airport (Odisha) will host India's first National UAV Test & Innovation Corridor.
• The World Bank's Country Partnership Framework (2026–31) provides USD 8–10 billion annually for India's development.
• SBI launched a Global Trade Finance Centre (GTFC) in Kolkata using AI, ML, and Blockchain.
• IOCL signed an LoI with Akasa Air to explore Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply.
• Patna Bird Sanctuary (UP) and Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat) became India's 97th and 98th Ramsar Sites.
• Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar Sites (20) in India.
• India Energy Week 2026 was held in Goa with the theme "Energizing Growth, Securing Economies, and Enriching Lives."
• World Leprosy Day 2026 theme: "Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma."
• Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and is treated with Multidrug Therapy (MDT).