Background: The transmission rates of Poliomyelitis are nearing historic lows. 2026 will prove to be a defining year in public health history where the disease may either get eradicated or continue simmering as periodic outbreaks. The goal of achieving a ‘Polio-Free World’ appears near, thanks to decades of hard work, global collaboration, unprecedented funding and, certainly, the power of vaccines. Unfortunately, polio is proving to be a tenacious opponent. The challenges in polio eradication increase manifold, 2026 onwards, due to current geo-political conflicts and health funding cuts. Text: Poliomyelitis is an exclusive human disease caused by polio virus, belonging to the Picornaviridae family. The primary mode of transmission is through the faeco-oral route. Around 95% of cases are asymptomatic and about 1% cases present as aseptic meningitis. Paralytic poliomyelitis, which is seen in less than 1% of patients presents as excruciating episodes of pain in back and lower limbs and can present as Spinal polio, Bulbar polio or Bulbospinal polio which is a combination of bulbar and spinal paralysis and is most severe. The ratio of inapparent to paralytic infections could be as high as 1000 to 1 in children and 75 to 1 in adults, depending on the polio virus type and the social conditions. The microbiology of the virus has been studied in detail and the intricacies of its interaction with the human host are being decoded effectively. The innumerable milestones achieved till date have helped in keeping the morale to end polio, high. Nonetheless, many questions still persist and need to be answered. In the mid-20th century, the efforts to combat the polio epidemic, succeeded through introduction of vaccines. Over 3 billion children have been immunized against polio and 20 million people are walking today, who otherwise would have been paralyzed. Along with the goal of eradicating wild polio virus [WPV], circulating Vaccine-Derived Polio virus [cVDPV] outbreaks are proving to be formidable to control. In 2022, closely related strains of polio virus were detected in New York State County and London boroughs. This constituted the first encounter with polio virus in the United States and United Kingdom for a generation, people and public health officers alike! The potential of a possible resurgence of polio cases, like in the past, concerns health scientists. To end polio in the face of challenges, new tactics and novel innovative tools are being deployed. Will this be sufficient in the current ever-changing political scenario? Conclusion: The Polio Oversight Board [POB] of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative [GPEI] launched its eradication strategy in year 2022. The target was polio eradication up to 2026. After critical analysis, expert consultations and revisions in budget, the timeline has been extended to 2029. Political instability, humanitarian crisis and most importantly, global health funding cuts are threatening the progress made. Year 2026 will prove to be a crucial year in this fight to the finish. This article intends to summarize the microbiology and complex pathogenesis of poliomyelitis, epidemiology of the disease through various timelines, the major campaigns organized globally, their achievements, resurgence of poliomyelitis amidst geo-political conflicts and global health funding cuts. This article makes an attempt to understand the practical implications for health and social scientists as they struggle to learn from the past and search for useful heuristic in an attempt to save our children from disability and eradicate poliomyelitis.