A comprehensive strategy for the prevention and control of NCDs must integrate public health actions to minimize risk factor exposure at the level of the population and reduce risk at the level of individuals at high risk. Such a combination of the population approach and the high risk approach is synergistically complementary, cost-effective, and sustainable; and provides the strategic basis for early, medium and long term impact on NCDs in India. This report examines the current status of NCDs and their risk factors, the policy and programmatic responses so far and suggests the public health strategies that can contribute to reversing their rising trend in India.