The present review briefly summarizes the highlights of the recent advances in Mycobacterium leprae specific tests for early diagnosis of leprosy. In addition to establishing the diagnosis ofclinical cases of leprosy, these tests have also been used to detect subclinical infections in endemic population. Several attempts have been made from 1980 onward for standardization of specific diagnostic assays for early detection of leprosy. Brief account about the development and use ofthese assays has been described in this review article.