World AIDS Day: 1 December

• Every year December 1 is celebrated as World AIDS Day, its purpose is to spread awareness about AIDS disease. This day was celebrated for the first time in 1988.
• Theme: Rock the Ribbon
• As of 2017, AIDS has caused the death of 28.9 million to 41.5 million people worldwide. And 36.7 million are suffering from HIV worldwide.
• World AIDS Day was conceptualized in August 1987 by James Bunn and Thomas Netter, who were working as public information officers in the Global Program on AIDS at the World Health Organization. After this, World AIDS Day was celebrated for the first time on December 1, 1988.

National AIDS Control Program

• It was launched in 1992 to prevent and control AIDS in India. So far, four phases of this program have been implemented. National AIDS Control Organization is implementing this programme.
• Currently, India is implementing the National Strategic Plan (2017-24) which aims to eliminate AIDS by 2030.

HIV/AIDS in India

• According to the National AIDS Control Organisation, more than 2.11 million people in India were living with HIV in 2015. As of 2018, India had the third largest population of AIDS patients.