World Leprosy Day 2025 Date, Theme, National Roadmap for Leprosy
World Leprosy Day 2025 will be observed on January 26th, the last Sunday of the month. In India, the date of World Leprosy Day 2025 is January 30th.
Deeksha Dixit16 Jan, 2025
Share
World Leprosy Day 2025 is an important occasion for raising awareness about leprosy, advocating for the rights and dignity of those affected by the disease, and promoting efforts toward its eradication.
World Leprosy Day 2025 will be observed on January 26th (the last Sunday of the month) across the world and on January 30th in India , with the campaign of #ZeroDiscrimination. Read on to learn more about this day!World Leprosy Day 2025 Highlights
World Leprosy Day 2025 serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for global action to eliminate the stigma surrounding leprosy and to support individuals and communities affected by it. On this day, campaigns such as #LeaveNoOneBehind and #EndStigma will be run to promote awareness.| World Leprosy Day 2025 Highlights | |
| Global Date | Sunday, January 26, 2025 |
| India’s Date | Thursday, January 30, 2025 |
| Theme | To be announced |
| Purpose | To raise awareness about leprosy, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) |
| Global Impact | Over 200,000 new cases annually in more than 120 countries (WHO). |
| Cases in India | Prevalence rate is 0.45 cases per 10,000 population (2021-22). |
| Indian Initiative | National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), “Leprosy-Mukt Bharat” by 2027 |
| Campaign | #WorldLeprosyDay, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #EndStigma, #ZeroDiscrimination, #BeatLeprosy |
World Leprosy Day 2025 Date in India
Every year, the World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January . However, in India, this day is observed on January 30th , aligning with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi . This day serves to raise awareness about leprosy, promote its treatment, and fight the stigma associated with the disease.World Leprosy Day 2025 Theme
The theme for World Leprosy Day 2025 is yet to be announced. This theme will highlight the need to combat the social stigma surrounding leprosy while also addressing the mental health challenges faced by those affected by the disease. World Leprosy Day Theme 2025 calls for greater awareness and support to improve the quality of life for individuals living with leprosy.World Leprosy Day History
The idea for World Leprosy Day was proposed by French philanthropist and activist, Raoul Follereau in 1954, who dedicated much of his life to advocating for people affected by leprosy. Follereau chose the last Sunday of January , which coincided with the anniversary of the death of Mahatma Gandhi, who had worked extensively to combat the stigma surrounding leprosy in India.What is Leprosy Disease?
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae . It primarily affects the skin, nerves, upper respiratory tract, and eyes. The disease progresses slowly and can lead to disfigurement and nerve damage if left untreated, but it is not highly contagious. Although curable with early treatment, stigma often prevents individuals from seeking timely medical care.Causes of Leprosy Disease
Leprosy is transmitted through nasal droplets from an infected person who is untreated. However, it is not highly contagious, and casual contact does not pose a risk of transmission. Close and prolonged contact with an untreated person increases the likelihood of spreading the disease. It cannot be spread through casual interactions such as shaking hands or sharing utensils.Diagnosis and Treatment of Leprosy
Leprosy is typically diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation, medical history, and laboratory tests. The disease often presents with skin lesions and peripheral nerve involvement.Diagnosis
Diagnosis is confirmed when at least one of the following cardinal signs is observed:- Loss of sensation in a pale (hypopigmented) or reddish skin patch.
- Thickened or enlarged peripheral nerves, accompanied by loss of sensation and/or muscle weakness in the areas served by the affected nerve.
- Microscopic detection of bacilli in a slit-skin smear
Treatment
Leprosy is a curable disease, and the primary treatment is multi-drug therapy (MDT) , which consists of a combination of three antibiotics : dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine. MDT effectively kills the bacteria responsible for leprosy, thereby curing the disease.- For Paucibacillary (PB) cases, treatment lasts six months.
- For Multibacillary (MB) cases, treatment is required for 12 months.
Leprosy Cases in India
India has made significant progress in reducing leprosy, achieving the World Health Organization's elimination goal of less than one case per 10,000 people at the national level in 2005. The prevalence rate has also decreased to 0.45 per 10,000 people in 2021-22 . While some districts still report cases, the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) has helped reduce new cases significantly, from 125,785 in 2014-15 to 75,394 in 2021-22.National Leprosy Eradication Programme
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) was launched in 1983 in continuation of the National Leprosy Control Programme (NLCP) that was launched in 1954–55. This programme aimed at eliminating leprosy as a public health problem. NLEP has been successful in reducing the prevalence and incidence of leprosy across the country, with India achieving the World Health Organization’s elimination target in 2005.National Strategic Plan & Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-27)
The National Strategic Plan (NSP) & Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-27), launched by the Government of India on January 30, 2023, aims to achieve zero transmission of leprosy by 2027, three years ahead of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3. The plan outlines key strategies to tackle the disease. This includes raising awareness to eliminate stigma and discrimination, promoting early case detection, and preventing disease transmission through Leprosy Post Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) . It also focuses on strengthening the reporting system with the introduction of the Nikusth 2.0 web-based portal to achieve “Leprosy-Mukt Bharat” by 2027. In conclusion, World Leprosy Day 2025 serves as a crucial opportunity to raise global awareness about leprosy, combat stigma, and advocate for the rights and dignity of those affected by the disease.| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| National Bird Day 2025 | Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 |
| National Startup Day 2025 | World Hindi Day 2025 | Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya Foundation Day |
World Leprosy Day 2025 FAQs
When is World Leprosy Day 2025?
World Leprosy Day 2025 will be observed globally on Sunday, January 26, 2025. In India, it will be observed on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
What is the theme for World Leprosy Day 2025?
The theme is yet to be announced but will focus on raising awareness and reducing stigma.
How is leprosy transmitted?
Leprosy is primarily transmitted through nasal droplets from an untreated infected person. It is not highly contagious and is spread only through prolonged close contact.
What is the history of World Leprosy Day?
World Leprosy Day was proposed in 1954 by French activist Raoul Follereau. He selected the last Sunday of January to coincide with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Why is leprosy Day celebrated on 30 January?
World Leprosy Day is observed on January 30 in India to honor Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary, as he worked to eliminate stigma and promote the rights of people affected by leprosy.
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Check out these Related Articles
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Free Learning Resources
PW Books
Notes (Class 10-12)
PW Study Materials
Notes (Class 6-9)
Ncert Solutions
Govt Exams
Our Other Websites
Class 6th to 12th Online Courses
Govt Job Exams Courses
UPSC Coaching
Defence Exam Coaching
Gate Exam Coaching
Other Exams
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Copyright © 2026 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.