This rising burden includes a significant surge in fatty liver disease, colorectal cancer, and chronic infections, prompting AIIMS officials to call for earlier detection and a shift toward preventative healthcare ahead of the World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG) 2026.
Fatty Liver Disease Prevalence in Indian Adults and Children
Fatty liver has become a primary health challenge in India, often remaining asymptomatic until advanced liver damage occurs. An AIIMS-led systematic review and meta-analysis found that the condition affects 38.6 per cent of Indian adults and 35.4 per cent of Indian children.
The disease is closely linked to hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. According to a recent study cited by AIIMS experts, one in four patients with type 2 diabetes suffers from clinically significant fibrosis. To combat this, India added fatty liver disease to its National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in 2021, establishing guidelines for detection at the primary-care level.
Pro Tip: Govind Makharia, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for WCOG 2026 and Professor in the Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition at AIIMS, New Delhi, suggests that symptoms lasting more than two to three weeks should be medically assessed instead of being written off as “gas” or stress.
Rising Colorectal Cancer Rates Among Younger Adults
Colorectal cancer is increasingly appearing in younger populations in India. In 2022, the country recorded 40,430 new cases among men and 24,433 among women. AIIMS experts warn against dismissing specific warning signs as routine digestive issues.
Medical professionals identify three critical symptoms that require immediate evaluation:
- Blood in the stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent changes in bowel habits
Persistent Infections and Autoimmune GI Diseases
While metabolic diseases rise, India continues to struggle with widespread infections. Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium linked to gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease, affects nearly half of the global population. Additionally, intestinal worm infections remain common, contributing to undernutrition and anaemia in children.
Autoimmune conditions are also seeing higher recognition. Community-based research led by AIIMS found that celiac disease affects approximately one in 96 people in northern India. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is also becoming more prevalent across the country.
Did you know? India is hosting the World Congress of Gastroenterology for the first time in India. The gathering is scheduled for September 30 through October 3, 2026, at the India International Convention and Expo Centre, Yashobhoomi, in Dwarka, New Delhi.
The Shift Toward AI and Advanced Diagnostics
Dr Pramod Garg, who serves as President of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology, Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for the World Congress of Gastroenterology 2026 (WCOG 2026), and Professor & Head of the Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition at AIIMS, New Delhi, notes that an epidemiological shift is occurring in India. While the country has made progress in controlling preventable diseases through awareness, vaccination and better quality of life, it now faces metabolic diseases on a scale it had never dealt with before.
The upcoming WCOG 2026, themed “Transforming Gastrointestinal Health, Preserving Nature,” will focus on several technological and clinical advancements:
- AI-enabled healthcare for earlier diagnosis
- Advances in endoscopy and therapeutics
- Research into the gut microbiome
- New strategies for managing the global GI disease burden
In collaboration with the World Gastroenterology Organisation, the congress is being co-hosted by the Indian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association (INMA), The Indian Pancreas Club (IPC), the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of India (CCFI), the Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver (INASL), and the Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG).
GI Health Frequently Asked Questions
How common is fatty liver disease in India?
According to an AIIMS-led systematic review and meta-analysis, it affects 38.6 per cent of Indian adults and 35.4 per cent of Indian children.
What are the red flags for colorectal cancer?
AIIMS experts highlight blood in the stool, persistent changes in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss as key warning signs.
Why is early detection of fatty liver difficult?
The disease can remain silent until liver damage has progressed.
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