Why in news?
India has registered a landmark increase in organ donation and transplantation, with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) reporting record numbers of donated organs and transplants in recent years. Strengthening the national registry and coordination efforts has improved allocation and reduced waiting times for patients.
Background
NOTTO is a national‑level body under the Directorate General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, headquartered at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. It was created under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Act 2011 to implement the National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP) and coordinate organ procurement and distribution across India.
Organisation and functions
- Divisions: NOTTO comprises two main arms: the National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network (NHOTRSN) and the National Biomaterial Centre (National Tissue Bank). The former manages organ donation, allocation and registry data, while the latter focuses on tissue procurement and storage.
- Policy and coordination: At the national level, NOTTO lays down guidelines and protocols for organ transplantation, compiles and publishes registry data, and acts as the nodal agency for networking with state and regional bodies.
- Awareness and training: The organisation promotes deceased organ donation through campaigns, coordinates transportation of organs across regions and monitors transplant outcomes.
- Progress: The number of transplants performed in India has grown four‑fold from under 5,000 in 2013 to nearly 20,000 in 2025. More than 4.8 lakh citizens have pledged to donate organs and tissues after death through Aadhaar‑based registration since 2023.
Significance
- Improved coordination through NOTTO ensures that donated organs reach the most suitable recipients quickly, reducing wastage and saving lives.
- Creating a national registry enhances transparency and accountability in organ allocation, encouraging public trust in the system.
- Continued investment in training, infrastructure and public awareness is essential to sustain the upward trend in organ donation.
Conclusion
NOTTO’s role as the apex organ‑transplant coordination body has transformed India’s organ donation landscape. With robust data systems, clear policies and increasing public participation, the country is moving towards self‑sufficiency in life‑saving transplants.
Source: PIB
