India Launches AI-Based Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme

India has launched its first Artificial Intelligence driven community screening programme for Diabetic Retinopathy, marking a major advance in early detection of diabetic eye disease and public health surveillance. The initiative was formally launched in New Delhi on December 16, 2025.

Institutions and Inauguration

The programme is a collaborative effort of the Armed Forces Medical Services, the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at AIIMS, and the eHealth AI Unit of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It was inaugurated at Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi, by Director General Armed Forces Medical Services Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, along with Prof Radhika Tandon, Chief of RPC, AIIMS.

MadhuNetrAI Platform and Technology Use

The initiative is anchored by MadhuNetrAI, a web-based Artificial Intelligence platform developed by RPC, AIIMS. The system enables automated screening, grading and triaging of retinal images captured through handheld fundus cameras. Trained Medical Officers, nursing staff and healthcare assistants can conduct community-level screening, while the platform simultaneously generates real-time data on disease prevalence and geographical spread.

Pilot Implementation and Referral Framework

During the pilot phase, the programme will be implemented at seven locations: Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Dharamshala, Gaya, Jorhat and Kochi. These sites represent metropolitan, rural, hilly, coastal and remote regions. Personnel from each centre will receive intensive training at RPC, AIIMS. Patients diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy will be referred for appropriate diabetic management, while vision-threatening cases will be directed to vitreo-retina specialists at designated District Hospitals, with District Health Administrations coordinating referrals.

What to Note for Exams?

• India’s first AI-driven Diabetic Retinopathy screening programme was launched on December 16, 2025.
• The programme is anchored by MadhuNetrAI developed by RPC, AIIMS.
• It is a collaboration between AFMS, AIIMS and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Pilot implementation covers seven diverse locations across India.

Public Health Significance and Future Scope

A compendium outlining the methodology and operational guidelines was released at the launch. The role of Brig S K Mishra, HOD and Consultant Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (R&R), in establishing the collaboration was acknowledged. The initiative is envisaged as a scalable and replicable model, demonstrating effective integration of AI-enabled solutions into national public health systems for non-communicable disease management.