JOSH Teams

• Full form: Joint Squad for Health.
• Launched: 8 October 2026, under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Collaborating Ministries: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Ministry of Defence.
• Objective: Strengthen youth-led community mobilisation to accelerate tuberculosis (TB) elimination in India.

Key Features

• First Phase: Rolled out in 55 districts across 11 States and Union Territories.
• Team Composition: Each team comprises five MY Bharat Volunteers and five National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets.
• Leadership: Led by a designated Class-I officer at the Block/Ward level.
• Major Activities:
  • Create awareness about TB symptoms, prevention and early diagnosis.
  • Encourage timely treatment and completion of the prescribed treatment.
  • Address myths, misconceptions and stigma associated with TB.
  • Identify vulnerable populations and promote community participation.
• Digital Support: A dedicated JOSH Teams feature was launched on the TB Mukt Bharat App to support team activities and reporting.

Important Associated Initiatives

• TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: India’s national effort towards TB elimination.
• MY Bharat: Provides a platform for youth participation in nation-building and community activities.
• NCC: National Cadet Corps, whose cadets participate in community mobilisation.
• Khushi Avatar: An AI-powered chatbot launched alongside JOSH Teams to provide information on TB symptoms and treatment options, answer common queries and remind patients to take medicines on time. It is available in 12 Indian languages.

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements about JOSH Teams:

1. JOSH stands for Joint Squad for Health.
2. The initiative is implemented under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
3. Each team includes MY Bharat Volunteers and NCC cadets.
4. The initiative is implemented exclusively by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3 only. The initiative involves collaboration between the Health, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Defence ministries.

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