Deferment of Specular Microscopy Requirement for Corneal Transplant Centres
The Central Government, through a notification dated November 6, 2025, has introduced the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Rules, 2025. The amendment makes a minor but notable change to Form 15 of the 2014 Rules, under the section dedicated to Corneal Transplantation Centres. In the second column of Form 15, against entry ‘C’, the word “Specular” has been replaced with the words and brackets “Specular (optional).”
Government of India Pushes for Nationwide Implementation of Swap Donor Transplantation
The National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) is actively promoting and streamlining the process of swap donor transplantation across the country. This initiative aims to significantly increase the availability of organs for patients who have biologically incompatible near-relative donors.
Ministry of Health Mandates Strict Timelines for Live Organ Donation Approvals
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued a directive to all States and Union Territories, mandating strict adherence to new, expedited timelines. The Ministry acknowledged that existing delays often lead to the unfortunate demise of recipients.
NOTTO Urges Immediate Compliance on Mandatory Brain Stem Death Reporting to Boost Organ Donation
The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) has issued a stern reminder to all registered hospitals to submit a monthly proforma on Brain Stem Death cases to the respective State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (SOTTOs) for onward transmission to NOTTO by the 7th of each subsequent month. They are also mandated to display the “Required Request Display Boards” in designated areas like ICUs and emergency wards to facilitate compliance with BSD certification and reporting.
NOTTO Issues Urgent Reminder for Mandatory Transplant Data Reporting and Registration
The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) has issued an urgent reminder to all registered transplant hospitals regarding the mandatory reporting of organ transplantation data and registration on the National Transplant Registry. NOTTO has expressed serious concern over the persistent failure of many registered transplant hospitals to submit daily and monthly data on transplantation activities and to register transplantations on the National Transplant Registry.
Central Government Employees to Receive Extended Leave for Organ Donation
Central Government employees can now avail up to 42 days of Special Casual Leave for organ donation, regardless of the type of organ donated. The leave should ideally be taken in one continuous stretch, starting from the day of hospital admission. However, it can begin up to one week prior to the surgery if recommended by a government-registered medical practitioner.
NOTTO Warns Against Misusing Organ Donation for Misleading Social Media Content
The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has issued a notice urging the public to refrain from using the cause of organ and cornea donation for creating misleading or satirical content on social media. NOTTO stressed that organ and cornea donation is a selfless and life-transforming act. Using this sensitive subject for mockery or sarcasm can undermine the courageous decision of donors and their families.
NOTTO Publishes Awareness Leaflet On Organ And Tissue Donation
The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), a government body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has published a leaflet to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation in India. It clarifies the difference between living and deceased organ donation, as well as the types of organs and tissues that can be donated.
Government Mandates Centralized Registry for Tissue and Cornea Donation
The National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) has issued a directive to streamline tissue and cornea donation/retrieval/distribution across the country. All tissue transplant centers, cornea transplant centers, tissue banks, and eye banks must register with the National Registry maintained by NOTTO. Upon registration, hospitals should enter the details digitally in the NOTTO Registry and update the same regularly.
Initiatives Propel Organ Donation Awareness in India
As part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, organ donation is being promoted as a “Jan Andolan” or people’s movement through social media channels. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) has launched a pledge campaign and a slogan competition on the MyGov platform to encourage public participation. Under the “Angdaan Mahotsav” initiated in July 2023, awareness programs focusing on deceased donor organ donation are being conducted nationwide.
NOTTO Promotes Organ and Tissue Donation with National Webinar on Angdaan Mahotsav
The National Webinar on Organ and Tissue Donation featured six sessions, each focusing on crucial aspects of organ and tissue donation. The sessions included Prevention of Kidney Diseases, Brain Stem Death Declaration, Deceased Donor Management, Prevention of Liver Diseases, Legal Aspects of Organ and Tissue Donation, and Eye Donation and Corneal Transplant.