evidence: In the year 2000, WHO, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) partnered to re-launch their efforts to achieve the goal of neonatal tetanus elimination. As neonatal tetanus depends mainly on tetanus immunization of the mother during pregnancy, the goal of elimination of maternal tetanus was also added to this initiative which was rechristened "Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination Program" (MNTE), and year 2005 was set as the cut-off year to achieve this goal [3]. However, 19 countries are yet to achieve this goal [4]. India was one of the last few countries to be declared free of maternal and neonatal tetanus on 15th May, 2015 [5]. [...] reduction) [13]. India was declared free of maternal and neonatal tetanus on 15th May, 2015. Andhra Pradesh was the first, and Nagaland the last Indian state to achieve the elimination goal [3]. Various factors contributed to its early elimination from Andhra Pradesh, much before the rest of India [14]. Tetanus toxoid immunization to all pregnant women was started in 1979 in the State, as compared to 1983 in rest of the country. Cash incentives were given to cover the costs associated with institutional deliveries, and there was a high political commitment for the cause, leading to increased recruitment of auxiliary nurse midwife (ANMs). Also, there was an increase in village-level promotional material on vaccination, and 24-hour service provided in most peripheral health centers (PHCs).