World Leprosy Day falls on the last Sunday of January (25 January in 2026), while India marks it on 30 January, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The day promotes early detection and full treatment of leprosy and seeks to end discrimination against those affected. Leprosy is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae that chiefly damages the skin and nerves. The 2026 theme is 'Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma'.