Karnataka Sets Record With Highest-Ever Organ Donation Tally in 2025

Karnataka Achieves Historic High in Organ Donation

Karnataka has set a new benchmark in public healthcare by recording its highest-ever annual organ donation figure in 2025. The state registered 198 organ donors during the year, reflecting growing public awareness, improved hospital coordination, and stronger institutional mechanisms supporting organ and tissue transplantation.

Record Performance and National Standing

This milestone was achieved under Jeevasarthakathe , Karnataka’s State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO). With 198 donors, Karnataka ranked third nationally in state-wise organ donations, after Tamil Nadu and Telangana. The figure surpasses the earlier record of 178 donors in 2023 and shows steady growth from 162 donors recorded in 2024, highlighting consistent progress over recent years.

Donor Profile and Organs Retrieved

Among the 198 donors, 150 were men and 48 women. Kidneys emerged as the most retrieved organs, with 306 kidneys transplanted, followed by 288 corneas and 167 livers. Other donations included 76 heart valves, 50 hearts, 29 lungs, 33 skin grafts, two bone donations, and one small bowel. The wide range of organs retrieved underscores enhanced coordination between donor hospitals, transplant centres, and surgical teams.

Urban Concentration and Expansion Strategy

Officials noted that nearly 80–85 per cent of organ donations continue to originate from Bengaluru , while Mysuru contributes a smaller share. Dr Ravishankar Shetty K, State Coordinator of SOTTO, stated that the focus in 2026 will be on expanding participation beyond major cities. Planned measures include district-level awareness campaigns, greater involvement of medical college hospitals, and strengthening Non-Transplant Human Organ Retrieval Centres (NTHORCs).

Bridging the Demand–Supply Gap

Despite the record achievement, nearly 5,500 patients in Karnataka remain on transplant waiting lists, including about 4,700 kidney and 650 liver patients. To address this gap, SOTTO has partnered with the police department to identify accident-prone zones and potential donation cases, and is exploring collaborations with the higher education department to encourage students to pledge organ donation.

Important Facts for Exams

• Karnataka recorded 198 organ donors in 2025, its highest ever.

• The state ranked third nationally in organ donations.

• Kidneys and corneas were the most commonly retrieved organs.

• SOTTO coordinates organ and tissue transplantation in Karnataka.