The Karnataka HIV Awareness Drive has been launched across colleges in the state after reports that more than 7,000 students aged 18–25 recently tested HIV positive. The Karnataka government, through the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS), has directed all government, aided, and private engineering and degree colleges to organise HIV awareness, counselling, and testing camps to improve early detection and prevention.Key HighlightsKarnataka HIV Awareness Drive launched across colleges statewide.Reports say over 7,000 students aged 18–25 tested HIV positive.HIV testing in colleges will remain voluntary and confidential.The initiative aims to improve awareness, counselling, and early treatment access.“Testing will be voluntary and conducted only with individual consent, while awareness and counselling camps will be organised across colleges,” officials associated with the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society said.Why the Karnataka HIV Awareness Drive Was StartedThe Karnataka government health initiative comes after reports of a sharp rise in HIV cases among young people. According to KSAPS data, HIV infections among people aged 18–35 increased from about 44,500 in 2023–24 to 66,600 in 2025–26.Officials said the growing number of HIV positive students Karnataka has made awareness in higher educational institutions an urgent priority. The statewide drive aims to provide students with accurate information about HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.HIV Testing in Colleges Will Be VoluntaryUnder the Karnataka HIV Awareness Drive, colleges must host college HIV awareness camps, counselling sessions, and testing facilities. However, HIV testing in colleges will not be compulsory.Students will be tested only after giving their consent, and all results will remain confidential. QR-code-based information systems are also being introduced so students can privately access information about nearby counselling and diagnostic centres.Karnataka Has a High HIV BurdenAccording to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Karnataka has the third-highest HIV burden in India. An estimated 260,000 people are living with HIV in the state.Of these, around 205,000 people are receiving treatment, while approximately 54,000 individuals may still be unaware of their HIV status. Health officials say increasing awareness and encouraging voluntary testing are essential to identifying these undiagnosed cases.Part of a Larger HIV Prevention PlanThe awareness campaign is being conducted under the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) programme. The goal is to help achieve the 95-95-99 target: ensuring that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive treatment, and 99% achieve viral suppression through anti-retroviral therapy.Experts say HIV prevention India efforts depend heavily on education, safe practices, and reducing stigma. The new Karnataka HIV Awareness Drive focuses on public health awareness India by giving students access to counselling, testing, and reliable health information.What It Means for StudentsThe Karnataka HIV Awareness Drive is primarily a preventive and educational programme. By expanding college HIV awareness camps and confidential testing facilities, the government hopes to improve student health Karnataka, promote early diagnosis, and strengthen HIV prevention efforts across educational institutions.
