About NOTTO Awareness Initiative
India performed its first kidney transplant on 1 December 1971 at Christian Medical College, Vellore — building on techniques pioneered by Sushruta around 600 BCE. Today, NOTTO leads a national network working to close persistent gaps between organ demand and supply, and to make allocation fairer for every patient.
More than 90% of India's transplants still rely on living donors; deceased donation remains rare.
Near relatives and, with committee approval, other donors can donate under strict THOTA safeguards.
Public education helps dispel myths and encourages registration as a donor.
Cornea Shortage (2015)
Kidney/Liver/Heart Shortage
Pancreas Shortage (2021)
Transplants From Living Donors
Kidney Recipients Are Women
Persistent Challenges
More than 90% of transplants rely on living donors due to India's low rate of deceased donation.
Many view donation as disrupting the sacred cycle of life and death, leading families to withhold consent.
Knowledge gaps among the public and healthcare professionals, combined with weak counselling, keep donation rates low.
A shortage of dedicated transplant centres, trained personnel, and clear policy understanding hampers progress.
Living Donor Authorization
A living donor's relationship to the recipient determines which body reviews and approves the donation, ensuring transparency and compliance with THOTA.
If an application is rejected, the family may appeal to the Appellate Committee.
Spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren qualify as near relatives under THOTA's 2011 amendment.
A Medical Superintendent plus four non-transplant doctors and two independent members evaluate near-relative donations.
The hospital head, two non-transplant doctors, two non-hospital members, and two government representatives evaluate other donors.
Spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren qualify as near relatives under THOTA's 2011 amendment.
A Medical Superintendent plus four non-transplant doctors and two independent members evaluate near-relative donations.
The hospital head, two non-transplant doctors, two non-hospital members, and two government representatives evaluate other donors.
Frequently asked questions
Under the THOTA Act Amendment, 2011, a Near Relative includes spouse, children, parents, brother, sister, grandparents, and grandchildren. Such donors are evaluated by a Competent Authority rather than a Hospital-Based Authorization Committee.
As per current regulations, there is no upper age limit for recipient registration and no domicile restrictions for access to deceased donor organs.
If the Hospital-Based Authorization Committee rejects an application, the family may appeal the decision to the Appellate Committee for further review.