JOSH Teams will be launched nationally by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on October 8, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen community participation in India’s tuberculosis (TB) elimination campaign. The national launch will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda leading the event.

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JOSH Teams to Begin in 55 Districts

The Joint Squad for Health, known as JOSH Teams, is being introduced to take the TB Mukt Bharat message closer to communities. The first phase of the initiative will cover 55 districts across 11 states. The programme will focus on creating greater awareness about tuberculosis and encouraging people to take part in activities linked to TB prevention, early detection and community support.

The initiative has been developed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence. By bringing together government departments and youth networks, the programme aims to create a wider grassroots outreach system.

Youth to Play a Major Role

A key feature of the JOSH Teams initiative is the involvement of young people in public health activities. Each team will include Class-I officers, MY Bharat volunteers and National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets.

This combination is expected to connect administrative support with youth participation and community-level outreach. MY Bharat volunteers and NCC cadets can help spread health messages among students, families and local communities while government officers provide coordination and institutional support.

The teams will work to increase public understanding of tuberculosis and encourage communities to participate in the national TB elimination effort.

New IEC Materials for TB Mukt Bharat

The national launch will also include the release of new Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials for the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. These materials are designed to make information about tuberculosis easier to understand and share with the public.

Awareness remains an important part of TB control because early diagnosis and timely treatment can help reduce the spread of the disease. Community participation can also help reduce misinformation and encourage people with symptoms to seek medical attention.

The programme will use the new materials during outreach activities carried out by the JOSH Teams across the selected districts.

AI-Powered Khushi Avatar Chatbot

Another major feature of the October 8 launch will be the introduction of an AI-powered chatbot called “Khushi Avatar.” The chatbot will support public awareness activities related to tuberculosis.

The use of artificial intelligence in health communication is part of a wider move towards digital tools for public information. Such tools can help people access basic information quickly and may provide another channel for spreading messages about TB symptoms, prevention, testing and treatment.

The chatbot will complement the work of JOSH Teams by adding a digital platform to the programme’s community-based approach.

Progress Under TB Mukt Bharat

The new initiative comes as India continues its efforts to eliminate tuberculosis. In 2025, 67,933 Panchayats across 697 districts were recognised as TB Mukt. Panchayats play an important role in rural areas because they are the institutions of local self-government and have direct links with communities.

The recognition of TB Mukt Panchayats reflects the role of local participation in public health programmes. The JOSH Teams are expected to further strengthen this community-level approach by involving youth and local networks in awareness and mobilisation activities.

India’s Tuberculosis Elimination Programme

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It most commonly affects the lungs and can spread through the air when a person with pulmonary TB coughs or sneezes. TB can also affect other parts of the body.

India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) is the country’s main programme for controlling and eliminating tuberculosis. It was earlier known as the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme and was renamed NTEP in 2020.

The Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is also used in India to provide protection against severe forms of tuberculosis in children.

Focus on Community Participation

The launch of JOSH Teams highlights the growing importance of community participation in public health campaigns. Government programmes can reach more people when local organisations, volunteers, youth groups and community institutions work together.

Through their presence at the grassroots level, JOSH Teams will support awareness activities and help take the TB Mukt Bharat message to more communities. The initial rollout across 55 districts will provide a structured platform for youth to participate in the national tuberculosis elimination effort.

The national launch at Bharat Mandapam on October 8 will mark the beginning of this new youth-focused approach under the TB Mukt Bharat campaign.