Rising Child Leprosy Cases & India’s 2027 NLEP Goal | Current Affairs MCQ Quiz

Rising Child Leprosy Cases Challenge India’s 2027 Goal | Current Affairs MCQ Quiz & Analysis

Topic: Health & Social Issues, National Programmes, Current Affairs 2026 (TNPSC Group 1, Group 2/2A, Group 4, UPSC & State Exams)

📖 Key Summary & Analytical Overview

India recorded 3,832 new child leprosy cases in 2025–26, exceeding the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) target of 2,000 cases by 91.6%. Additionally, 37 child cases presented with Grade-2 Disability (G2D) at the time of diagnosis, indicating delayed detection and ongoing active transmission in communities.

Key Data Points for Competitive Exams

1. Eradication Roadmap: Under the National Strategic Plan for Leprosy 2023–27, India aims to interrupt transmission at the district level by 2027.

2. Definition of Interrupted Transmission: A district must report zero new indigenous child cases for five consecutive years.

3. Target Metrics for 2026–27: The NLEP roadmap projects a maximum of 1,000 child cases and a national G2D rate of 0.5 per million population.

4. Global Share: According to WHO's 2025 global update, India accounts for the world's largest burden with 91,783 new cases (followed by Brazil with 22,901 and Indonesia with 16,292). Together, these three nations represent 78.3% of global new cases.

5. High-Burden Districts in India: High prevalence rates (>1 case per 10,000 population) are concentrated in specific districts: 23 in Chhattisgarh, 21 in Jharkhand, 18 each in Maharashtra and Odisha, and 10 in Madhya Pradesh.

6. Disease Facts: Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is a chronic bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It affects skin and peripheral nerves and is curable with Multidrug Therapy (MDT).

✍️ Online Mock Test / Practice MCQ Quiz

Test your memory and analytical capacity with these 5 examination-style Multiple Choice Questions:

Q1. Under the National Strategic Plan for Leprosy (2023–27), what condition must a district satisfy to be recognized as having interrupted disease transmission?

(A) Zero total adult leprosy cases for 3 consecutive years

(B) Zero new indigenous child cases for 5 consecutive years

(C) 100% vaccination coverage among newborns

(D) Less than 1 case per 100,000 total population for 2 years

Answer: (B) Zero new indigenous child cases for 5 consecutive years

Explanation: The NLEP roadmap defines interrupted transmission at the district level as reporting zero new indigenous child cases for five consecutive years.

Q2. What was the target set by the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) for new child leprosy cases for the year 2025–26, compared to the actual recorded cases?

(A) Target: 1,000 cases | Actual: 2,500 cases

(B) Target: 5,000 cases | Actual: 9,800 cases

(C) Target: 2,000 cases | Actual: 3,832 cases

(D) Target: 3,000 cases | Actual: 4,100 cases

Answer: (C) Target: 2,000 cases | Actual: 3,832 cases

Explanation: India recorded 3,832 child cases against the Centre's NLEP target of 2,000 cases (which is 91.6% above the targeted limit).

Q3. Which three countries collectively account for 78.3% of all new leprosy cases reported globally according to WHO's 2025 statistics?

(A) India, Nigeria, Bangladesh

(B) India, Brazil, Indonesia

(C) India, China, Vietnam

(D) Brazil, Philippines, Mozambique

Answer: (B) India, Brazil, Indonesia

Explanation: India (91,783 cases), Brazil (22,901 cases), and Indonesia (16,292 cases) together contributed 78.3% of all new cases globally.

Q4. What medical indicator does the detection of Grade-2 Disability (G2D) in newly diagnosed child leprosy cases primarily signify?

(A) High drug resistance to Multidrug Therapy (MDT)

(B) Airborne epidemic outbreak

(C) Delayed disease detection and ongoing community transmission

(D) Failure of childhood immunization programmes

Answer: (C) Delayed disease detection and ongoing community transmission

Explanation: WHO and NLEP state that Grade-2 Disability at diagnosis in child cases is a clear epidemiologic indicator of delayed diagnosis and continued transmission.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Leprosy (Hansen's Disease):

1. It is a chronic fungal infection affecting the central nervous system.

2. It is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and is curable using Multidrug Therapy (MDT).

3. WHO considers new cases among children below 15 years as an indicator of recent transmission.

Which of the statements given above is/are CORRECT?

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 and 3 only

(C) 1 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because leprosy is a bacterial infection (not fungal) that primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves (not CNS). Statements 2 and 3 are factually correct.

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