SC declines plea to make nucleic acid tests compulsory at blood banks

On March 13, 2026, the Supreme Court of India refused to direct the government to mandatorily conduct Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT) before blood transfusions.

• The Bench headed by Surya Kant, the Chief Justice of India, noted that the test is expensive and that states may have financial limitations in implementing it across all government blood banks.

Key Observations of the Court

• The Court stated that judges cannot pretend to understand complex medical science and impose mandatory medical procedures through judicial orders.
• It raised concerns about whether all states can afford NAT testing in government hospitals and blood banks.
• The petitioner was asked earlier to provide cost-effectiveness data comparing NAT with the commonly used ELISA test.

What is Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT)?

• Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) is a highly sensitive molecular diagnostic technique used to detect genetic material (DNA or RNA) of pathogens in blood samples.
• It can identify infections caused by viruses such as: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B, COVID-19

How NAT Works

• NAT amplifies very small amounts of viral genetic material present in a sample (blood, saliva, or tissue).
• This allows earlier detection of infections, even before the body produces detectable antibodies.

NAT vs ELISA

• NAT Test
  • Detects viral DNA/RNA directly
  • Shorter diagnostic window period
  • More accurate but expensive
• ELISA Test (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)
  • Detects antibodies produced by the immune system
  • Longer window period
  • Less expensive and widely used

Importance in Blood Transfusion

• NAT is used to screen donated blood to prevent Transfusion Transmitted Infections (TTIs) in recipients.
• It significantly reduces the risk of transmitting infections through blood transfusion.

Source: The Hindu & Science Direct