India has a population of one billion, around half of whom are adults in the sexually active age group. The first AIDS case in India was detected in 1986 and since then HIV infection has been reported in all states and union territories.

The spread of HIV in India has been uneven. Although much of India has a low rate of infection, certain places have been more affected than others. HIV epidemics are more severe in the southern half of the country and the far north-east. The highest HIV prevalence rates are found in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the south; and Manipur and Nagaland in the north-east.

In the southern states, HIV is primarily spread through hetersoexual contact. Infections in the north-east are mainly found amongst injecting drug users (IDUs) and sex workers.

Unless otherwise stated, the data on this page has been taken from a 2008 report by the Indian government's AIDS organization – NACO (National AIDS Control Organization).