This paper aims to discuss the emergence, public health, and legal-regulatory aspects of tuberculosis prevention and control in India. Even though tuberculosis (TB) is considered a preventable and curable disease, it still remains one of the country’s challenging public health issues. The high incidence rate, social stigma, poverty, poor nutritional balance, and overpopulation contribute to the complexity of the disease’s control in India. India’s TB control strategy has been changing and developing throughout time, starting from the initial period when little was known about the disease, resulting in ineffective measures, such as BCG vaccination and establishing the National TB programme in 1962. Later, a more comprehensive approach, such as the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) based on the DOTS strategy, was introduced. Eventually, the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) was developed.

The article discusses the current state of tuberculosis and the existing efforts to mitigate it. It stipulates that the problem of tuberculosis control in the community calls for a shift from an isolated set of clinical practices to a more integrated, multi-faceted public health response. The main components of this response are as follows: Early case detection and prompt treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Enhanced surveillance and mandatory reporting to public and private facilities. Implementation of person-centered care in relation to population health status, access to care, treatment engagement, and support.TB prevention with an emphasis on intensified case-finding and tuberculosis preventive therapy. The One Health approach which underlines the complex interplay between human, animal, and environmental health in relation to zoonotic diseases.

Moreover, the paper outlines the principle of public health measures which aims at protecting communities while respecting human rights, privacy, and dignity to avoid stigmatization. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of eradicating the disease in India, it is essential to complement legal and policy measures with the NTEP interventions in order to address the limitations of the latter..