NOTTO removes age cap In a major policy shift aimed at making organ transplants more inclusive and accessible, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has removed the upper age limit for registering to receive organs from deceased donors. Now, individuals of any age can register as recipients, a move welcomed by patients and healthcare providers alike. This announcement was part of NOTTO’s recently released 2024-25 annual report, which provides a detailed overview of the current state of organ donation and transplantation in India. The report marks a turning point in the country’s transplant policy, as it also confirms the removal of the domicile requirement, allowing any patient in India to receive an organ regardless of their state of residence. Furthermore, no fee will be charged for registration on the national waiting list, helping to remove financial barriers to life-saving care. According to the report, a total of 18,911 transplants were conducted across India between January and December 2024, a significant rise from 4,990 transplants in 2013.

 

Despite this progress, India’s organ donation rate remains low, just 1 per million population, highlighting the urgent need for continued awareness and infrastructure development. Importantly, the report incorporates data from across the country, including Madhya Pradesh, where Indore’s Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College functions as the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO). Through such regional institutions, state-level data is compiled and integrated into the national organ registry, helping track progress and improve co-ordination. One of the most notable developments in 2024 has been the emergence of hand transplants as a new and growing field in Indian transplant medicine. For the first time, NOTTO has introduced hand transplant surgeries in the national registry. Over 50 such transplants have already been performed across nine centres in the country, reflecting rapid advancements in both surgical technique and institutional readiness. NOTTO’s report emphasises the need to promote deceased organ donation, address regional imbalances, and build a robust and transparent allocation system through better co-ordination among ROTTOs (Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisations) and SOTTOs (State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisations). It also highlights public awareness and policy reforms as crucial tools in bridging the wide gap between demand and supply.