- Why in news
- On 10 February 2026, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched the annual nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign against lymphatic filariasis in 12 endemic States, aiming for elimination by 2027.
- What it is
- Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) is a vector-borne disease spread by mosquitoes that damages the lymphatic system and causes swelling, hydrocele and disability. India's National LF Programme uses annual mass drug administration to cut microfilaria in the community, with morbidity management for patients. Its strategy is built on interrupting transmission and managing disability.
- Vector
- LF is spread by the female Culex mosquito, which breeds in polluted, stagnant water.
- Target year
- India aims to eliminate LF as a public health problem by end-2027, ahead of the SDG target of 2030.
- Shift to one round
- From February 2026 the programme moved to a single annual MDA, replacing the earlier biannual rounds on 10 February and 10 August.
- Hydrocele surgery cover
- Hydrocele surgery is included under AB-PMJAY, giving financial protection.
- Current round
- The 10 February 2026 round covers 124 districts (55 DA and 69 IDA) across 12 States.
Don’t confuse with LF vs dengue/malaria vectors: LF is spread by Culex; malaria by Anopheles; dengue by Aedes.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Eliminating LF reduces disability, stigma and lost livelihoods, with economic gains for poor families.
- Reaching the target ahead of the SDG 2030 would show India's progress on neglected tropical diseases.
Problems
- Direct observation of drug intake and public hesitancy remain last-mile problems.
- Over 6.20 lakh lymphoedema and 1.21 lakh hydrocele cases need long-term care.
Way forward
- Strengthen vector control alongside MDA and surveillance such as TAS.
- Use Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for early screening and community engagement with Panchayats.
Put in your answer
MDA coverage: Total-population MDA coverage rose from 75 per cent in 2014 to 85 per cent in 2025.
Morbidity burden: Over 6.20 lakh lymphoedema and 1.21 lakh hydrocele cases reported as of 2024.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.Lymphatic filariasis is transmitted by the female Culex mosquito, which breeds in polluted and stagnant water.
- 2.India has set 2030, the global SDG target year, as its own deadline for eliminating lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem.
- 3.From February 2026, the National LF Programme replaced its twice-yearly Mass Drug Administration rounds with a single annual campaign.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Lymphatic filariasis is transmitted by the female Culex mosquito.
True. The vector is the female Culex mosquito.
2.India has set 2030, the global SDG year, as its own deadline for eliminating LF as a public health problem.
False. India's target is end-2027, ahead of the SDG target of 2030.
3.From February 2026 the National LF Programme replaced its twice-yearly MDA rounds with a single annual campaign.
True. A unified annual MDA replaced the 10 February and 10 August rounds.
4.Hydrocele surgery has been included under AB-PMJAY.
True. Hydrocele surgery is covered under AB-PMJAY.
5.Districts continue annual MDA where microfilaria rates are above 1 per cent.
True. A microfilaria rate above 1 per cent keeps a district under MDA.
6.MDA data from endemic States is reported through the e-Sanjeevani portal.
False. States report MDA data online through the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP).
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.