In swift response to the HIV/AIDS situation, the State Government set up the State Project Cell in 1992, and was initially functioning under the Control of the Director of Medical Education, Chennai.

Realising the need for a broader and more effective response, and to facilitate smoother implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities, the State AIDS Project Cell was re-constituted as the TAMIL NADU STATE AIDS CONTROL SOCIETY (TANSACS) registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, with effect from 11.5.1994, with the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, as the President of this Society and a senior I.A.S. Officer as the Member Secretary cum Project Director, to tackle the problem of AIDS in a more effective manner.

After its registration in May 1994, the State AIDS Control Society, started its activities more vigorously in full swing with the guidance and support of its Executive Committee, Technical Advisory Committee and Ethical Scientific Committee constituted by the Government.

Since its inception, the society has made remarkable progress in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the state, with the financial assistance from the National AIDS control organisation (NACO). The results are reflected in the form of highest level of awareness due to constant efforts, mainly by evolving IEC strategies or awareness programmes.

The Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society has been the role model in the entire country in creating awareness and behavioural changes by using all the available media. To identify and further strengthen the IEC strategies, a study was conducted by TANSACS through M/s. AC Neilsen which looked into the awareness levels and behavioural changes, among the high risk and general population, besides indicating communication needs to further strengthen the system.