HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) in India, since its inception in 1998, has evolved into a credible and robust system for HIV epidemic monitoring and acclaimed as one of the best in the world. Sentinel surveillance provides essential information to understand the trends and dynamics of HIV epidemic among different risk groups in the country. It aids in refinement of strategies and prioritization of focus for prevention, care and treatment interventions under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). HIV estimates of prevalence, incidence and mortality developed based on findings from HIV Sentinel Surveillance enable the programme in assessing the impacts at a macro level.

During NACP-IV, HIV Sentinel Surveillance will be conducted once in two years so that adequate time is spent on in-depth analysis and modeling, epidemiological research and use of surveillance data for programmatic purposes. 

As per HIV Sentinel Surveillance conducted in the U.T of Puducherry in 2010-11, the prevalence of HIV rate in Puducherry among Anti Natal Mothers (ANC) 0.13% and in 2019 ANC is 0 % prevalence. In HRGs it has declined from 1.94% in 2004 to 1.21% in 2010-11 and in 2017 is 0.27% among Female Sex Workers (FSW) and 5.22% in 2004 to 1.21% in 2010-11 and in 2017 is 0.20% among Men having Sex with Men (MSM). The year wise data from 2004 to 2010-11 and 2017 are detailed in the table given below: