Karnataka HIV case report shows rise in numbers across age groups. Photo: AI
A shocking report has emerged claiming that the southern state of Karnataka is witnessing an uptick in the number of HIV/AIDS cases due to male-to-male sexual contact. According to a report by Deccan Herald, the number of cases rose to 66,606 from 44,581 in 2023-2024 and 62,664 in 2024-2025. Among the age groups, people from 18-12 and 26-35 saw the highest increase, the report adds.
In 2023-24, 3,732 cases were registered among the 18-25 age group. The numbers increased to 6,962 in 2024-2025. The numbers, however, fell to 6,283 in 2025-2026, according to the data cited by the report. Similarly, cases among the 26-35 age group increased from 9,351 in 2023-2024 to 4,555 cases in 2025-2026.
Bruh, Defaming an entire state with misleading framing.
– Karnataka’s HIV Test Positivity Rate has actually FALLEN from 1.77% (2013-14) to 0.33% (2024-25)
– Among pregnant women (the standard general population proxy), it dropped from 0.6% to 0.3% in just the last 5 years– The… https://t.co/P1C8IIHvJc pic.twitter.com/w6MaAt9m1s
— S Kumar (@SKumararchives) June 8, 2026
The authorities have been conducting awareness programs to put a halt to the rising cases. The government has launched BreakFree app to guide people about the risks of STDs, including HIV. Authorities have campaigned to urge people to join the initiative. This year, HIV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the state, with 417 new cases reported in 2025-26.
“We are raising awareness about safe sex practices in same-sex intimacy cases. The number of cases has increased due to outbreaks in hostels. We have had cases involving men having intercourse with female sex workers and then among themselves, which has also contributed to many cases,” Deccan Herald quoted Padma B, Project Director, KSAPS.
According to the report, KSAPS has started 442 Red Ribbon Clubs (RRCs) across the state to raise awareness about the sexually transmitted diseases.
Also Read: Ebola virus scare in Bengaluru
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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