Health Ministry allows UP-based Central Drugs Lab to test 42 veterinary vaccines
New Delhi, June 20
The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has notified amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, enabling the Central Drugs Laboratory at the Chaudhary Charan Singh-National Institute of Animal Health, Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, to test 42 veterinary vaccines instead of just two, an official said on Saturday.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening the country's veterinary biological testing infrastructure, the official said in a statement.
Before this amendment, CCS-NIAH was notified for testing only two veterinary vaccines. With the latest notification, the scope of testing at the institute has been substantially expanded, enabling it to test 42 veterinary vaccines, the statement said.
These include vaccines used for the prevention and control of diseases such as Canine Distemper, Canine Coronavirus, Duck Plague, Fowl Pox, Salmonella and Tetanus, among others, affecting dogs, horses, poultry and other livestock, it said.
The amendments have been notified vide Gazette Notification G.S.R. 65(E), dated January 28, 2026, in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, section 3, sub-section (i) under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, it said.
The notification is in line with the government's ongoing efforts to augment vaccine and biological testing capacity in the country and to strengthen the regulatory framework to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of veterinary vaccines, it said.
The enhanced testing capacity at CCS-NIAH is expected to facilitate easier import and regulatory clearance of veterinary biologicals, while significantly strengthening the national quality assurance system for veterinary vaccines, the statement said.
The expanded mandate will also help reduce testing timelines and improve turnaround time for manufacturers, it said.
India is among the leading producers of veterinary vaccines globally. The expansion of testing facilities at CCS-NIAH will support the growth of the veterinary vaccine sector, promote the timely availability of quality-assured vaccines, and help safeguard animal health and livestock productivity across the country, the statement said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great initiative! India is a major producer of veterinary vaccines globally, so this is a smart step to streamline quality assurance. Reducing testing timelines will boost exports and protect animal health. Very positive development.
Finally a step towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in veterinary healthcare! 🐾 As a farmer's daughter, I know how diseases like canine distemper or fowl pox devastate livelihoods. This lab upgrading from 2 to 42 vaccines is a big leap. But hope the government also ensures timely quality checks and doesn't compromise on safety just to fast-track production.
Nice to see India strengthening its animal health infrastructure. With expanding livestock and pet populations, this is essential. However, will there be enough trained staff and equipment to handle 42 different vaccines? Hope the expansion comes with proper resources.
Good news for poultry farmers like my uncle – fowl pox and salmonella vaccines will be tested faster. But I'm curious: will the lab charge manufacturers for testing? And what about vaccines for pet dogs and cats? We need canine coronavirus and distemper vaccines availability to improve. Hope the benefit trickles down to the end consumer.
Excellent step towards improving regulatory framework for veterinary vaccines in India. Quality assured vaccines are critical for preventing disease outbreaks in animals, which also affects the food supply chain. I hope other states follow UP's example in boosting testing infrastructure.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.