In a proactive move to address a worrying rise in HIV infections, the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS) is partnering with Visvesvaraya Technological University and the Collegiate Education Department to roll out comprehensive health camps across all degree and engineering colleges. These Integrated Health Camps (IHC) are designed to provide students with accessible testing and professional counseling services. The initiative comes on the heels of a sobering report from the National AIDS Control Organisation, which currently places Karnataka third in the nation for HIV prevalence, with approximately 260,000 positive cases statewide.

The urgency of this campaign is underscored by a sharp upward trend in infections among the youth demographic, specifically those aged 18 to 35. Data indicates that the number of infected individuals in this age bracket climbed significantly from 44,500 in the 2023-24 period to 66,600 in 2025-26, with over 7,000 cases identified among young adults aged 18 to 25 alone. By integrating these vital health services into government, aided, and private college campuses, KSAPS aims to curb the rapid spread of the virus and ensure that students have the support and resources necessary for early detection and treatment.