The Karnataka government has directed all government, aided and private colleges across the state to organise mandatory HIV testing and counselling camps following a special directive from the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS).
The move comes amid growing concern over HIV infections among young people, with recent reports indicating that more than 7,000 students aged between 18 and 25 have tested positive for HIV. According to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Karnataka has the third-highest number of people living with HIV in India, with around 2.6 lakh people living with the virus.
Of these, about 2.05 lakh are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), while an estimated 54,000 people remain unaware of their HIV status. The state government says the college-based initiative is aimed at promoting early detection, reducing stigma, expanding access to counselling and treatment, and strengthening HIV awareness among young adults.
Health officials have emphasised that the programme is not intended to stigmatise students but to encourage voluntary participation through confidential counselling and scientifically informed healthcare. They also note that while the number of diagnosed cases has increased, improved testing and surveillance may partly explain the rise, alongside ongoing transmission.
Early Detection Through Campuses
The decision follows mounting concern over a steady rise in HIV infections among people aged 18 to 35 years. Data shared by KSAPS show that the number of HIV-positive individuals in this age group increased from around 44,500 in 2023-24 to nearly 66,600 in 2025-26, prompting authorities to strengthen interventions in educational institutions where awareness can reach a large section of the state’s youth.
Officials believe colleges provide an effective platform for confidential screening and counselling, enabling students to understand HIV prevention, safe sexual practices and the importance of regular health check-ups without fear of judgement.
Under the new directive, colleges will organise dedicated HIV awareness and screening camps that will include confidential HIV testing, pre-test and post-test counselling, educational sessions on HIV prevention, information on safe sexual practices, and referrals to Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centres wherever required.
According to NACO guidelines, HIV diagnosis follows a multi-step confirmation process, and individuals who begin ART early can lead long, healthy lives while significantly reducing the risk of transmitting the virus. Officials have repeatedly stressed that counselling will accompany testing to ensure students receive accurate scientific information and emotional support, while maintaining strict confidentiality throughout the process.
Health authorities have also clarified that expanding testing should not automatically be interpreted as a sudden surge in new infections. Earlier this year, KSAPS cautioned against misreading programme enrolment data as fresh HIV case counts, noting that increased screening often leads to more people being diagnosed and linked to treatment.
The Karnataka Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) campaign has similarly urged citizens to “Know Your Status” through voluntary HIV testing, arguing that identifying undiagnosed cases remains one of the biggest challenges in controlling transmission.
Karnataka’s Broader HIV Response
Karnataka has long been among the states with a higher HIV burden and has invested extensively in prevention and treatment programmes over the past two decades. According to NACO, the state currently has around 2.6 lakh people living with HIV, making it one of the highest-burden states in the country.
Through its network of ICTCs, ART centres, targeted interventions for vulnerable communities, sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics and community outreach programmes, Karnataka has sought to improve access to testing, treatment and awareness. However, officials estimate that more than 54,000 people in the state remain unaware of their HIV-positive status, delaying treatment and increasing the risk of further transmission.
The latest college initiative aligns with the broader national objective of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Earlier this year, the Union Health Ministry, through NACO, launched Mission AIDS Suraksha workshops in Karnataka to strengthen awareness, improve testing coverage and reduce stigma surrounding HIV.
Public health experts continue to stress that HIV today is a manageable chronic condition when diagnosed early and treated consistently with antiretroviral therapy. They argue that expanding voluntary, confidential testing among young adults is essential, particularly as changing social behaviour, migration and inadequate awareness continue to shape the epidemiology of HIV across India.
At the same time, experts have cautioned against sensationalising the reported figures involving students. They note that higher testing rates naturally identify more previously undiagnosed cases, and that accurate interpretation of surveillance data is crucial to avoid fuelling fear or discrimination. Public health responses, they say, must remain rooted in evidence, empathy and education rather than stigma.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Karnataka government’s decision reflects an important shift from reactive healthcare to preventive public health. HIV continues to carry significant social stigma despite decades of medical progress, often discouraging people from seeking timely testing or treatment. Bringing confidential counselling and screening into colleges can help normalise conversations around sexual health, challenge misinformation and ensure that young people have access to accurate scientific information before myths take hold.
However, the success of this initiative will depend not only on the number of tests conducted but also on how sensitively the programme is implemented. Protecting students’ privacy, ensuring informed consent, preventing discrimination and fostering trust within educational institutions will be just as important as expanding testing itself.
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