Every year lakhs of people in India become victims of snake bites, but this problem is not limited to villages or forests only. The latest figures presented by the government in Parliament show that in the last three years, more than 3.47 lakh snakebite cases have been registered across the country, while 987 people have died. These figures have come to light at a time when the World Health Organization (WHO) also considers snakebite as a serious public health challenge and has set a target of halving the deaths due to it by 2030.
In response to the question of Shiv Sena (Uddhav) MP Sanjay Raut in Rajya Sabha, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that the government is running programs at the national level to deal with this challenge. Also, Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) has been included in the list of essential medicines so that patients can get timely treatment.
Cases are increasing rapidly
The government also clarified that the production capacity of anti-snake venom in the country is currently sufficient as per the requirement and government and private companies are jointly supplying it. However, state-wise data also revealed that snakebite cases are increasing rapidly in many states. Every year thousands of people are becoming victims of snake bites in states like West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Assam.
Which states have more Katra (Getty Image)
Target to reduce deaths by 2030
According to the reply given in Parliament, the government has instructed the states to strengthen training of health workers, awareness campaigns, surveillance systems and emergency treatment. Also, through the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE), launched in 2024, a target has been set to bring about a significant reduction in deaths due to snakebites by 2030.
- More than 3.47 lakh snakebite cases registered in 3 years
- 987 deaths recorded between 2023-2025
- Maximum 1.40 lakh cases and 429 deaths in 2025
- The number of deaths is highest in Karnataka and West Bengal
- Government said- production of Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) in the country is currently sufficient
What does the official reply say?
On July 21, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha, MP Sanjay Raut asked the government why there are so many deaths due to snakebites in India despite the availability of anti-snake venom. He also wanted to know how many cases were reported in the last three years, how many deaths occurred and whether the production of anti-snake venom in the country is sufficient.
In response, Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav said that ‘Program for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming’ has been implemented in all the states and union territories under the National Health Mission (NHM) to deal with snakebite. The government also said that anti-snake venom has been included in the national and state essential medicine lists, so that its availability remains in government hospitals.
How much has the danger increased in three years?
According to the figures given by the government in Parliament-
| Year | cases | Death |
| 2023 | 86,294 cases | 183 deaths |
| 2024 | 1,20,982 cases | 375 deaths |
| 2025 | 1,40,302 cases | 429 deaths |
That means a total of 3,47,578 snakebite cases and 987 deaths were recorded in three years. Statistics show that both cases and deaths in 2025 were higher than in previous years.
Which states have the highest number of cases?
According to government data, the highest number of snakebite cases in 2025 were recorded in West Bengal (27,471). This was followed by Karnataka (16,805), Tamil Nadu (15,837) and Odisha (15,815).
Karnataka topped in terms of deaths, where 160 deaths were recorded in 2025. After this, maximum deaths occurred in West Bengal (65), Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh (26-26), Tamil Nadu (26) and Maharashtra (23).
What steps is the government taking?
According to the Health Ministry, work is being done at many levels to reduce deaths due to snakebites.
- Health workers are being given special training in the treatment of snakebite.
- Awareness campaigns are being run in the states.
- Surveillance system is being strengthened.
- Availability of anti-snake venom is being ensured.
- Emergency medicines, ambulances and other resources are being strengthened.
The government also said that till now 12 states have declared snakebite as a notifiable disease. That is, it will be mandatory to report such cases, which will help in gathering correct data and taking timely action.
What do the state figures say?
Government data shows that in the last three years, cases of snakebite have been reported in almost all the states of the country. In 2025, the highest number of cases were reported in West Bengal (27,471), followed by Karnataka (16,805), Tamil Nadu (15,837), Odisha (15,815) and Assam (11,817). 8,558 cases were registered in Maharashtra, 8,030 in Gujarat, 4,707 in Andhra Pradesh, 4,346 in Bihar, 3,776 in Jharkhand, 3,406 in Rajasthan and 3,081 in Madhya Pradesh.
Government’s 2030 target (Getty Image)
More than a thousand cases were also reported in Telangana (2,998), Kerala (2,987), Chhattisgarh (2,594), Tripura (1,146), Jammu and Kashmir (1,165) and Uttar Pradesh (1,086). On the other hand, cases remained relatively less in states and union territories like Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Chandigarh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
How many deaths occurred where?
If we look at the figures of deaths, Karnataka was the most affected state, where 160 people lost their lives in 2025. After this, the highest number of deaths were recorded in West Bengal (65), Jharkhand (26), Madhya Pradesh (26), Tamil Nadu (26), Odisha (23), Maharashtra (23), Uttar Pradesh (19), Gujarat (16), Andhra Pradesh (13) and Assam (13).
Many states and union territories such as Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Goa, Chandigarh, Ladakh and Lakshadweep reported no deaths from snakebites during 2025, 3 deaths in Bihar, 4 deaths in Chhattisgarh. Overall, 86,294 cases and 183 deaths were reported in 2023, 1,20,982 cases and 375 deaths in 2024, while 1,40,302 cases and 429 deaths were reported in 2025, which clearly shows that snakebite cases and deaths are continuously increasing.
What is the goal of 2030?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target of halving deaths and disability caused by snakebites by 2030. Keeping this goal in mind, the Government of India launched the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in March 2024. Under this scheme, many departments including Health Ministry, Environment Ministry, Tribal Affairs Ministry, Panchayati Raj Ministry and NITI Aayog are working together.
Is there a shortage of anti-snake venom?
The government clearly said in the Parliament that according to the information received from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the total production capacity of government and private companies in the country is currently sufficient as per the requirement. The government also informed that the public sector companies are supported by the respective state governments, while technical and financial assistance is also provided to the states under the National Health Mission.
Leave a Reply