**Executive Summary**
The 10th meeting of the Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH), held on April 16, 2026, reviewed India's progress in strengthening animal health systems and transitioning from disease control to eradication for FMD and PPR. The committee focused on digital integration via the NDLM and NANDI-SUGAM portals, regulatory reforms for veterinary drugs, and enhancing biosecurity to boost export potential. Key upcoming actions include a national mock drill on disease preparedness and the development of a national framework for animal feed regulation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Disease Control and Eradication**
* Emphasized a strategic shift from disease control to the total eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).
* Reported the administration of over 133 crore FMD vaccinations since 2020, significantly reducing disease prevalence.
* Noted a decline in PPR outbreaks from 98 in 2019 to 29 in 2025 due to sustained vaccination efforts.
**Digital and Regulatory Reforms**
* Utilized the NDLM and Bharat Pashudhan digital platforms to enhance transparency and accountability in vaccination delivery.
* Expedited approvals for veterinary drugs and vaccines through process reforms and integration with the NANDI-SUGAM portal.
* Initiated the development of a national framework for animal feed regulation to address existing legislative gaps.
**Infrastructure and Surveillance**
* Strengthened laboratory infrastructure, including Central and Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratories, under the Pandemic Fund project.
* Prioritized the mapping of veterinary infrastructure on the NDLM portal to identify and address critical service gaps.
* Proposed the creation of a dedicated surveillance coordination mechanism within the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD).
**Preparedness and Global Alignment**
* Stressed the need for preparedness against exotic FMD strains and African Swine Fever.
* Scheduled a national mock drill to test animal disease preparedness.
* Advocated for WOAH-compliant compartmentalization in the poultry sector to strengthen biosecurity and increase export potential.
* Called for stronger public-private partnerships in the development of vaccines and diagnostics.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)**
**Impact**
Responsible for leading the transition to disease eradication and managing the "One Health" framework.
**Action Required**
Develop the national framework for animal feed regulation and establish a dedicated internal surveillance coordination mechanism.
**Stakeholder: Veterinary Drug and Vaccine Manufacturers**
**Impact**
Benefit from significantly reduced processing timelines for product approvals.
**Action Required**
Utilize the NANDI-SUGAM portal for applications and engage in public-private partnerships for diagnostic and vaccine development.
**Stakeholder: Poultry Sector**
**Impact**
Potential for increased international trade through improved biosecure production systems.
**Action Required**
Expand and implement WOAH-compliant compartmentalization to meet global export standards.
**Stakeholder: Veterinary Infrastructure Providers and State Officials**
**Impact**
Enhanced visibility of resource gaps and improved response coordination.
**Action Required**
Complete the mapping of veterinary infrastructure on the NDLM portal and participate in the upcoming national mock drill on disease preparedness.
Key Entities Referenced
Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH): A high-level think tank and committee that reviews progress and provides strategic direction for strengthening India's animal health systems.
One Health framework: An integrated strategic approach adopted to build a technology-driven animal health ecosystem by coordinating human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM): A digital initiative, including the Bharat Pashudhan platform, used for vaccination delivery, verification, and mapping veterinary infrastructure.
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD): The primary government department responsible for implementing animal disease control programs, regulatory reforms, and the national framework for animal feed regulation.
NANDI-SUGAM portal: A digital regulatory platform integrated to expedite process reforms and approvals for veterinary drugs and vaccines.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Empowered Committee for Animal Health
reviews progress in strengthening animal health
systems
Posted On: 17 APR 2026 5:58PM by PIB Delhi
The 10th meeting of the Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH), a think tank on animal health
was held on 16th April 2026 in New Delhi under the aegis of the Department of Animal Husbandry and
Dairying (DAHD). The meeting was chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government
of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, and vice-chaired by Secretary, DAHD, Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar. Dr
Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, O/o PSA, Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, DHR, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale,
Secretary, DBT and other Senior officials from ICMR, CDSCO, DBT, ICAR, O/oPSA, Veterinary Council
of India and domain experts participated.
During the meeting, the Secretary, AHD highlighted India’s progress in building a robust, technology-
driven animal health ecosystem under the One Health framework and emphasized the need to move from
disease control to eradication, particularly for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits
Ruminants (PPR). He also underscored improvements in vaccination delivery and verification through
digital platforms such as NDLM and Bharat Pashudhan, enhancing transparency and accountability. Dr
Naveena B. Maheswarappa, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Government of India, delivered a detailed
presentation highlighting the Department’s key achievements and the way forward. The Committee
reviewed progress across vaccination programmes, regulatory reforms, laboratory strengthening and
surveillance systems.The members were also briefed on the progress in disease control programmes, including administration
of over 133 crore vaccinations against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) since 2020, leading to a significant
reduction in disease prevalence and outbreaks. Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) outbreaks have declined
from 98 in 2019 to 29 in 2025 due to sustained nationwide vaccination efforts. Strengthening of laboratory
infrastructure, including Central and Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratories, to support disease
surveillance and diagnostics under the Pandemic Fund project was also highlighted.
On regulatory reforms, the Committee welcomed measures to expedite approvals for veterinary drugs and
vaccines through process reforms and integration with the NANDI-SUGAM portal, resulting in significant
reduction in processing timelines. The Committee also noted that the Department is working towards
development of a national framework for animal feed regulation to address existing legislative gaps. The
Committee further emphasized the need to expand WOAH-compliant compartmentalisation in the poultry
sector to strengthen biosecure production systems and enhance export potential.
The Committee emphasized key priorities including preparedness for exotic FMD strains and African
Swine Fever, mapping of veterinary infrastructure on the NDLM portal to identify critical gaps, and
conduct of a national mock drill on animal disease preparedness. It also stressed strengthening of public-
private partnerships in vaccine development and diagnostics, exploration of a dedicated surveillance
coordination mechanism within DAHD, and integration of data across human, animal and environmental
health sectors under the One Health framework for improved monitoring and response.
The Committee reaffirmed India’s commitment to building a transparent, farmer-centric, and globally
aligned animal health system that supports Atmanirbhar Bharat and enhances export potential.
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JP.
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