Published Jul 31, 2026 | 12:03 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 31, 2026 | 12:03 AM
HIV AIDS.
Synopsis: The clarification came after several news reports and Instagram reels claimed that over 7,000 college students, all aged between 18 and 25 years, had tested HIV positive, prompting the Karnataka government to order HIV testing and counselling programmes in all colleges. Claims were also carried by other media outlets and amplified by several social media influencers and doctors. However, KSAPS said no such order has been issued.
The Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS) has dismissed viral claims that the state government has made HIV testing mandatory in colleges after more than 7,000 students were reportedly found to be HIV positive.
In an official clarification issued on 29 July, KSAPS said media reports and social media posts had misinterpreted programme data, leading to widespread misinformation about HIV testing and the number of infected students.
The clarification came after several news reports and Instagram reels claimed that over 7,000 college students, all aged between 18 and 25 years, had tested HIV positive, prompting the Karnataka government to order HIV testing and counselling programmes in all colleges.
Claims were also carried by other media outlets and amplified by several social media influencers and doctors.
However, KSAPS said no such order has been issued.
#Karnataka denies reports of mandatory #HIV testing in colleges, says viral claims misinterpreted data
The Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS) has dismissed viral claims that the state government has made HIV testing mandatory in colleges after more than 7,000… pic.twitter.com/muHrnfwmRh
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) July 30, 2026
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The society clarified that under the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, HIV testing can only be conducted with informed consent after counselling.
“According to the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, HIV testing cannot be made mandatory and so it has not been made mandatory,” the press note said.
KSAPS further clarified that reports claiming 7,000 HIV-positive college students were incorrect.
“From 2004 till date, 39,028 infected people in the 18 to 35 years age group have been receiving ART treatment. However, it has been wrongly interpreted by the media that 7,000 college students have been infected with HIV,” the society said.
KSAPS said it recently launched the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) campaign to increase HIV awareness among young people and other vulnerable populations.
The initiative includes awareness programmes in colleges, industries, workplaces and other institutions, along with Integrated Health Camps organised through District AIDS Prevention and Control Officers.
As part of the campaign, the society is promoting the BreakFree India mobile application and QR code, which allows users to assess their HIV risk, connect with counsellors and locate the nearest Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) for voluntary testing.
According to the society, Karnataka has an estimated 56,000 people living with HIV who remain undiagnosed, based on National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) estimates. The campaign aims to encourage such individuals to voluntarily come forward for testing and treatment.
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KSAPS Project Director Padma Basavanthappa also issued a video clarification, reiterating that no directive had been issued making HIV testing compulsory in colleges.
“We have never said HIV testing should be mandatory. Under the HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, there is no provision for mandatory HIV testing. Testing can only be done after counselling and with informed consent,” she said.
Basavanthappa said Karnataka is estimated to have around 2.91 lakh people living with HIV, of whom approximately 2.03 lakh are receiving government-supported antiretroviral therapy (ART), while around 18,000 receive treatment in the private sector.
“We are creating awareness not only in colleges but also in industries, software companies, among migrant workers, drivers and truckers. Our objective is to identify people at risk through awareness and voluntary testing,” she said.
She urged the public and media to rely on verified information and help spread awareness instead of misinformation about HIV.
(With inputs from Sumit Jha)
