According to recent research, injecting drug usage is the main cause of the high increase in HIV infections in Assam. The AIDS Prevention Society stated in a press release on Sunday, ahead of World AIDS Day on Monday, that although the State's estimated HIV prevalence is 0.08 percent, which is lower than the national average of 0.20 percent, over 35,000 people are currently thought to be living with HIV in Assam, and the actual number of infections could be much higher.
In Assam, 7,274 new HIV cases were found in 2023-2024, and the number of new infections is increasing annually. 19,030 general clients and 1,811 pregnant women were found to be HIV positive in the most recent reporting period, according to the most recent data available for the period ending November 4, 2025, according to Dr. SI Ahmed, chairman and medical director of the AIDS Prevention Society.
"Injecting drug use has become the predominant route of HIV transmission in Assam, accounting for approximately 65% of new infections over the past three years, despite being a low HIV prevalence state compared to other Northeastern states," he stated.
However, given the enormous number of new drug users and the massive amounts of heroine, yaba, and meth that law enforcement authorities have seized, this official figure could be significantly higher.
In contrast to prior years when heterosexual transmission was the primary cause, this represents a substantial shift, he continued.
Due to its position as a gateway to the other Northeastern states, a sizable youth population, and substantial migration, Assam is regarded as extremely vulnerable.
In the most recent reporting period, districts including Kamrup (Metro), Nagaon, and Cachar reported the most cases. The Society's estimates indicate that up to 6,758 instances were found in 2024-2025.
The greatest rates of HIV prevalence among adults are found in Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur. There has also been an upward tendency in new infections in Meghalaya and Tripura.
