Exclusive: India records 47,48,478 dog bite cases in 2025, nearly 10 lakh jump from 2024; over 7.58 crore cases reported since 2010

In a reply to our RTI query, the National Centre for Disease Control, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has revealed that India recorded 47,48,478 dog bite cases in 2025. In contrast, the total stood at 37,17,341 in 2024. This marks a sharp increase of 10,31,137 cases in just one year.

The data further shows that since 2010, when systematic recording of dog bite cases began under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), a staggering 7.58 crore cases have been reported across the country. To be precise, India has reported 7,58,07,604 dog bite cases between 2010 and 2025.

In its reply, the NCDC clarified that dog bite data has been recorded under IDSP since 2010. It tracks over 50 epidemic prone diseases, including dog bites. Cases are reported by all 36 States and Union Territories on the IDSP IHIP portal. Dog bite and other animal bite cases are reported through the P form, and the data includes syndromic, presumptive, and laboratory confirmed classifications.

Responding to our queries on classification, the NCDC stated that dog bite cases are recorded separately from bites and attacks caused by other animals in the official surveillance system. Under the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP), data on animal bite cases is captured by health facilities providing Animal Bite Management Services (ABMS) through the Animal Bite Exposure Register (ABER). In this register, separate information is recorded for stray and pet dog bites, along with the category of bite, Category I, II, or III, as per national guidelines.

However, while uploading data on the IDSP IHIP online portal, the available data entry fields are limited. The portal records animal bite or dog bite cases as presumptive entries, human rabies cases or deaths as presumptive entries, and laboratory confirmed human rabies deaths reported State wise, District wise, and Rural or Urban wise. The NCDC also informed that recording and reporting are governed by the National Guidelines for Rabies Prophylaxis, 2019, along with IDSP surveillance formats since 2018.

The RTI reply further confirms that dog bite data has been officially recorded under IDSP since 2010, with 2010 to 2021 data retrieved from the IDSP portal, and 2022 to 2025 data retrieved from the IDSP IHIP portal as of 29 January 2026.

State wise distribution of dog bite cases in 2025

The State wise data for 2025 revealed a sharp regional concentration of dog bite cases, with a few large states accounting for a disproportionately high share of the national total of 47,48,478 cases.

Tamil Nadu reported the highest number of dog bite cases in 2025 with 6,25,700 cases. It was followed by Gujarat with 5,82,559 cases, Maharashtra with 5,54,888 cases, Karnataka with 4,99,344 cases, and Andhra Pradesh with 3,28,504 cases.

These five states alone account for a significant chunk of the national burden, collectively reporting over 25 lakh cases in a single year. Bihar, with 3,22,955 cases, closely followed Andhra Pradesh but did not enter the top five.

At the other end of the spectrum, Lakshadweep reported zero cases, while small Union Territories such as Ladakh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and DND and DNH reported comparatively lower numbers.

Comparison with 2024 – where did cases surge the most

India recorded 37,17,341 dog bite cases in 2024. In 2025, the number rose to 47,48,478. This is a steep increase of 10,31,137 cases in just one year.

Tamil Nadu witnessed the sharpest rise in absolute numbers. Cases jumped from 4,80,425 in 2024 to 6,25,700 in 2025, an increase of 1,45,275 cases.

Gujarat recorded the second highest surge, rising from 3,92,653 to 5,82,559, a jump of 1,89,906 cases, which is in fact the highest numerical increase among all states.

Karnataka saw cases rise from 3,61,310 to 4,99,344, an increase of 1,38,034 cases.

Andhra Pradesh reported a rise of 83,338 cases, going from 2,45,166 to 3,28,504.

Bihar recorded an increase of 59,030 cases, from 2,63,925 to 3,22,955.

Maharashtra also saw a substantial rise of 69,539 cases, from 4,85,349 to 5,54,888.

Among large states, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka clearly drove the national spike in 2025.

States with the least jump

Rajasthan showed one of the smallest increases among major contributors. Its cases rose from 1,42,606 in 2024 to 1,51,870 in 2025, an increase of 9,264 cases.

With 47.48 lakh cases in 2025 alone and over 7.58 crore cases reported since recording began, the figures raise serious questions about the scale and trajectory of India’s stray dog crisis, especially in light of the nearly ten lakh surge recorded within a single year.

Disclaimer: This news report is based on information provided by National Centre for Disease Control, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in a reply to RTI filed by us.

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