This paper traces the evolution of AIDS-related policy and legislation in India from an initial response characterized by conservatism and discrimination to the development of a coherent national programme which aims to prevent the transmission of HIV and to develop support structures for people with HIV and AIDS. Examining the strategies, achievements and problems of specific components of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), the paper finds that the very progressive approach of national-level policy makers has been countered by conservative forces at the state and local levels. Little progress has been made, moreover, in incorporating HIV/AIDS prevention efforts into broader development and empowerment strategies. The paper concludes by considering the wider social context of AIDS in India and the role of more far-reaching policy measures.
PIP: During the 1980s, the government of India was in denial and complacent about HIV/AIDS, regarding AIDS as a problem limited to foreigners and highly marginal groups. The author traces the evolution of AIDS-related policy and legislation in India from this initially conservative and discriminatory response to the development of a coherent national program which aims to prevent the transmission of HIV and to develop support structures for people with HIV and AIDS. The National AIDS Control Program is considered. The author determined that the very progressive approach of national-level policy makers has been countered by conservative forces at both the state and local levels. Moreover, little progress has been made in incorporating HIV/AIDS prevention efforts into broader development and empowerment strategies. The author considers the wider social context of AIDS in India and the role of more far-reaching policy measures.