Four-fold increase in organ transplants in India: Over 4.8 lakh register as donors

It is said that in India, more than half a million lives are lost every year, as our organ donation programmes are not robust enough. The process is also clouded by myths, misconceptions and a lack of awareness, despite many awareness campaigns. Regardless, organ transplants have now seen a 4-fold increase in India, says the government. From less than 5,000 in 2013, the country has now reached nearly 20,000 in 2025, say officials. Nearly 18 per cent of transplants are currently being performed with organs donated from deceased donors.

Registered donors
More than 4.8 lakh citizens have registered to donate organs and tissues after death through an Aadhaar-based verification system since September 17, 2023, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The country achieved a significant milestone in organ donation and transplantation, with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) recording unprecedented progress in organ donation, allocation, and transplantation nationwide.

The ministry further informed that over 1,200 families came forward to donate organs of their loved ones after death in 2025, saving thousands of lives and improving the quality of life for many others. Each donor is now a multi-organ donor, transforming the lives of many. The country has achieved competence in performing complex organ transplants, such as heart, lung, and pancreas transplants.

India also leads the world in hand transplants, performing more than any other country. These remarkable achievements reflect the strong and sustained impetus provided by the Government of India, translating policy vision into measurable, life-saving outcomes,” according to the Health Ministry.

India has one of the best transplant professionals and surgeons in the world who have achieved outcomes comparable to the best in the world, and that too at a fraction of the cost.

Families stepping forward
Increasing numbers of families are stepping forward during moments of profound grief to give the gift of life, transforming loss into hope for countless recipients. NOTTO calls for promoting a culture of organ and tissue donation in government establishments, institutions and organisations, etc. NOTTO promotes multi-organ donations as a right of every family.

The progress achieved under NOTTO’s stewardship also strengthens India’s vision of self-reliance in advanced healthcare, reducing dependence on overseas transplants while ensuring ethical, transparent, and equitable practices within the country.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is organ donation?
It's the process of removing a healthy organ from a donor for someone else who has an organ failure. Organ donation involves two surgeries - one for the donor to remove the organ and one for the recipient. 

2. What organs can be donated after death?
a) Heart
b) Pancreas
c) Kidneys
d) Liver
e) Lungs
f) Intestines
g) Heart valves
h) Corneas
i) nerves
j) Blood vessels
k) Skin
l) Cartilage
m) Tendons and ligaments

3) What organs can be donated while the donor is alive?
a) Bone marrow or stem cells
b) Uterus
c) A piece of the liver
d) A kidney

4) Can you be an organ donor?
Anyone can be a potential donor. What matters is the overall health. As for deceased donors, there is no age limit. To become an organ donor, register here. 
(With inputs from IANS)