The article presents the definition and aim of motivation in the DTP, the types of motivation and the factors in effective motivation. It is concluded that motivation, whether direct or indirect, plays an important role in the TB programme strategy. Prevention of default is easier than retrieval of the defaulter. Motivation provided in a proper manner and with the proper perspective can help to minimise the defaulter problem. Every cured patient is a motivator to the community and has a snowballing effect on the improvement of NTP’s performance.