Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation
How the deceased-donor pathway works in India — brain death, NOTTO and state registries, allocation and waiting lists.
Last updated: 2026-09-24
A deceased-donor transplant uses a kidney from a person declared brain-dead, with family consent. In India this pathway is coordinated through NOTTO and the state organ-sharing registries.
How allocation works
Organs are allocated according to national and state rules based on blood group, medical urgency and time on the waiting list. Registration is done by the transplant centre, not directly by the family.
Pledging to donate
You can record a pledge through the NOTTO registry. The pledge records your wish; in practice donation proceeds only with your family’s consent at the time, which is why the family conversation matters most.
Frequently asked questions
What is brain death?
The complete and irreversible loss of all brain function, certified by a panel of doctors under a defined legal procedure. It is distinct from coma.
How do I join the waiting list?
Your transplant centre registers you with the state and NOTTO registries after you are evaluated as a candidate.