India, which once had the highest number of polio cases in the world, is marking three years since its last reported polio case.
The success was possible with the vital collaboration between the Indian government and the global polio eradication initiative, which is a partnership among Rotary International, UNICEF, WHO and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
India's health minister has hailed the success as a "monumental milestone."
"This monumental milestone was possible due to unwavering political will at the highest level, commitment of adequate financial resources, technological innovation ... and the tireless efforts of millions of workers including more than 23 lakh (2.3 million) vaccinators," Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said.
World Health Organization will formally certify the India's polio-free status in February after testing some last cases.
Polio is the second disease after smallpox that has been eradicated through immunization in India. In every round of immunization, more than 2.3 million volunteers vaccinate nearly 170 million children under five years of age. In 2010, the number of cases was reduced to 42 from 741 in 2009.
"India was once thought to be the most difficult country in which to achieve polio eradication," Global Polio Eradication Initiative said in a statement.
Children under age 5 are more prone to polio when they drink contaminated water. The virus attack on the central nervous system can cause crippling disability or even death within few hours.
Till 1980s, the disease was present in more than 100 countries and would leave 350,000 people paralyzed every year. Due to the recent mass eradication program, in 2013 only 372 cases of polio were reported globally.
Countries like Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan are still in WHO's list of polio-endemic countries indicating that the transmission of the infectious disease has yet not been completely stopped there.
Philanthropic organizations, such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, have also contributed significantly in the eradication.
