The problem of TB in a developing country such as India must be considered in the overall social and economic context. Massive investment of money and resources to eradicate TB may interfere with other measures more important for the country`s progress. But a limited investment in a suitably oriented TB programme could hasten the decline of the disease. Social planners thus face a special challenge in such countries. The problems are almost overwhelming, while the resources available are extremely limited; scientists will have to formulate programmes which will ensure that these resources are utilised to give a maximal return from the investment. Thus, in considering TB as a problem of social planning in developing countries it will have to be dealt with at three different levels:

(a) Recognising the implications of factors other than a specific TB programme on the incidence of the disease; (b) developing methods that could offer the best possible returns from the available resources, both at any given point of time as well as at different time intervals; and (c) determining priority for allocating resources in a socially applicable TB programme. The NTI, Bangalore has used operational approach for formulating a nationally applicable and acceptable TB programme for India. The sequence of steps that led to the formulation of TB programme in India can as well be applied to develop a similar programme in any developing country.