India's Snakebite Mortality: Government Figures vs. Study Estimates

The federal government reports that approximately 50,000 Indians are killed by snakebites each year, indicating a significant public health challenge within the nation.

This figure represents roughly half of all snakebite deaths globally.

However, a 2020 study suggested a potentially higher mortality rate. This research estimated that between 2000 and 2019, India may have experienced as many as 1.2 million snakebite deaths. This averages out to 58,000 deaths per year, suggesting a potentially greater impact than the official annual count.