Diseases remain one of the most significant constraints to aquaculture growth. Early detection plays a crucial role in effective disease control and can only be achieved through a well-structured surveillance programme. Recognizing this need, the Government of India has been implementing the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) since 2013. In its Phase I, the programme was launched across 14 major aquaculture states, and was coordinated by the ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources. To further strengthen the country’s aquatic animal disease surveillance, Phase II of NSPAAD has been initiated under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, with pan-India coverage and participation of the State Fisheries Departments and the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). The major emphasis of the programme has been to strengthen the passive disease surveillance in the country. The success of the same is evident with detection of 14 new pathogens from the country for the first time. Other significant achievements include establishment of a strong national network of aquatic animal health laboratories; development of diagnostic capacity for detection of World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)-listed and emerging aquatic animal pathogens; provision of scientific advisory support to farmers for effective disease management; establishment of mechanisms for first-time confirmation of exotic and emerging diseases, and dissemination of alerts/advisories to stakeholders to prevent their spread; dispelling speculations on the occurrence of Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (now a WOAH-listed disease); development of a transparent disease reporting system that has enhanced India’s credibility in reporting aquatic animal diseases to international organisations like WOAH and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific. To further strengthen farmer-based disease reporting, a mobile application named “ReportFishDisease” has been developed under the programme. The app is available in Hindi, English, and 11 regional languages, enabling farmers to report disease incidents in finfish, shrimp, and mollusc farms directly to field officers and fish health experts, and receive timely scientific advice for rapid problem resolution.