Overview
- Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society issued a public clarification denying that colleges have been ordered to make HIV testing compulsory and saying mandatory testing is barred by the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017.
- Officials said the widely shared figure claiming 7,000 infected college students was a mistaken reading of cumulative treatment data and noted that 39,028 people aged 18–35 have received antiretroviral therapy since 2004.
- As a public-health response, KSAPS has requested that universities and colleges host voluntary Integrated Health Camps for counselling, screening and testing under the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) awareness drive.
- State and NACO-linked data show a sharp rise in HIV among 18–35-year-olds, with KSAPS reporting an increase from about 44,500 in 2023–24 to about 66,600 in 2025–26 while NACO estimates roughly 260,000 people living with HIV in Karnataka and about 54,000 remain undiagnosed.
- Authorities are promoting a breakfreeindia.org QR-based self-risk assessment, stressing informed consent, confidentiality and counselling for anyone who tests positive, and they have urged the public to verify reports and warned of possible legal action against those who spread false claims.