Karnataka Sets Record With 198 Organ Donors in 2025

Karnataka has set a new benchmark in organ donation, registering its highest-ever annual tally in 2025. The state recorded 198 organ donors, reflecting growing public awareness, improved hospital coordination, and stronger institutional support for organ and tissue transplantation.

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Karnataka Sets Record With 198 Organ Donors in 2025

Record Performance and National Ranking

The milestone was achieved by Jeevasarthakathe, Karnataka’s State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO).

Key highlights:

• 198 donors in 2025
• Third rank nationally in state-wise organ donations
• Ahead of Karnataka were Tamil Nadu and Telangana
• Previous records:
  • 178 donors in 2023
  • 162 donors in 2024

The steady upward trend shows sustained progress in the state’s organ donation ecosystem.

Donor Profile and Organs Retrieved

Of the 198 donors:

• 150 were male
• 48 were female

Organs and tissues retrieved included:

• 306 kidneys (highest number)
• 288 corneas
• 167 livers
• 76 heart valves
• 50 hearts
• 29 lungs
• 33 skin grafts
• 2 bone donations
• 1 small bowel

The wide range of organs retrieved highlights improved coordination between hospitals, transplant teams, and retrieval centres.

Urban Concentration and Expansion Plans

Officials noted that 80–85% of donations currently come from Bengaluru, while Mysuru contributes a smaller share.

According to Ravishankar Shetty K, State Coordinator of SOTTO, the focus for 2026 will be on:

• Increasing district-level participation
• Expanding awareness programmes
• Encouraging donations through medical college hospitals
• Strengthening Non-Transplant Human Organ Retrieval Centres (NTHORCs)

Bridging the Demand–Supply Gap

Despite the record performance, the demand for organs remains high in Karnataka:

• ~5,500 patients awaiting transplants
  • ~4,700 kidney patients
  • ~650 liver patients

To address this gap, SOTTO has:

• Partnered with the police department to identify accident-prone zones
• Planned collaborations with the higher education department
• Initiated student-focused campaigns to encourage organ donation pledges

Exam-Oriented Key Facts

• Karnataka recorded 198 organ donors in 2025
• Highest-ever annual organ donation figure for the state
• Ranked third nationally in organ donation
• Kidneys and corneas were the most retrieved organs
• SOTTO (Jeevasarthakathe) coordinates organ transplantation in Karnataka

Question & Answer

Q1. How many organ donors were recorded in Karnataka in 2025?
(a) 162
(b) 178
(c) 186
(d) 198
Answer: 198

Q2. Karnataka ranked which position nationally in organ donation in 2025?
(a) First
(b) Second
(c) Third
(d) Fourth
Answer: Third

Q3. Which organisation coordinates organ and tissue transplantation in Karnataka?
(a) NOTTO
(b) Jeevasarthakathe (SOTTO)
(c) AIIMS
(d) National Health Mission
Answer: Jeevasarthakathe (SOTTO)

Q4. Which organ was retrieved in the highest number in Karnataka in 2025?
(a) Liver
(b) Heart
(c) Cornea
(d) Kidney
Answer: Kidney

Q5. A major focus area for Karnataka’s organ donation programme in 2026 is to:
(a) Reduce transplant surgeries
(b) Limit urban donations
(c) Increase district-level participation
(d) Stop awareness campaigns
Answer: Increase district-level participation

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