National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP)
Prelims:
Government
schemes and initiatives
Mains:
GS Paper II-Government
policies and interventions; GS Paper III- Indian economy
Current relevance:
The
National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), launched in September
2019, has significantly strengthened India’s efforts to control Foot and
Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis through nationwide vaccination,
surveillance and digital monitoring.
Highlights:
About National Animal Disease Control Programme:
1.
NADCP was launched in September 2019 as a nationwide livestock
health initiative.
2.
It aims to control and eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and
Brucellosis through vaccination and surveillance.
3.
It targets 100% vaccination of eligible livestock against FMD twice
a year.
4.
For Brucellosis, female bovine calves aged 4–8 months receive a
one-time vaccination during their lifetime.
5.
The programme also supports disease surveillance, cold-chain
logistics, outbreak investigation, virus isolation and typing, quarantine
and animal-movement regulation.
6.
NADCP has subsequently been subsumed along with other components under
the broader Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP).
Diseases Covered under NADCP:
1.
Foot
and Mouth Disease (FMD):
i.
A highly
contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle,
buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs.
ii.
It
reduces milk production, growth, reproductive performance and working
capacity of draft animals.
iii.
It
can also restrict access to international markets.
iv.
Major
FMD serotypes mentioned are O, A and Asia-1, with Type O being the most
common and widespread in India.
2.
Brucellosis:
i.
A bacterial
reproductive disease of cattle and buffaloes caused by Brucella abortus.
ii.
It
primarily affects the reproductive organs, disrupting fertility and
lactation and consequently affecting milk and meat production.
iii.
As
there is no curative treatment for bovines, vaccination is the principal
sustainable control measure.
Vaccination, Surveillance & Major Outcomes:
1.
Cumulative
FMD vaccination has reached 147.16 crore doses, benefiting 8.04 crore
farmers.
2.
Since
2024, FMD vaccination has also been extended to pastoral sheep and goats,
including migratory populations in selected States and UTs.
3.
Average
protective immunity against FMD serotypes O, A and Asia-1 reached 78.1%,
71.7% and 77.6%, respectively.
4.
Reported
FMD outbreaks declined from 132 in 2019 to 40 in 2025.
5.
No
FMD outbreak caused by Serotype Asia-1 was reported during the last
three years covered by the source.
6.
Brucellosis
outbreaks declined from 22 in 2019 to 15 in 2025.
7.
Sero-surveillance assesses antibody prevalence at the
population level, while sero-monitoring tracks antibody levels over time
to understand immunity.
Digital & Veterinary Infrastructure:
1.
The
Bharat Pashudhan Portal integrates livestock registration and FMD and
Brucellosis vaccination records.
2.
Each
registered animal receives a unique 12-digit Tag ID.
3.
By
July 2026, more than 39 crore livestock had been registered, enabling better
traceability and real-time monitoring.
4.
MVUs
provide doorstep veterinary services through the toll-free number 1962.
5.
Research
support from ICAR institutions covers vaccine research, quality testing,
disease modelling, surveillance and sero-surveillance.
Link with One Health & Pandemic Preparedness:
1.
The
One Health approach recognises the interdependence of human, animal
and environmental health.
2.
Strengthening
detection and control of animal diseases can reduce zoonotic disease
transmission, promote prudent antimicrobial use and improve pandemic
preparedness.
3.
In
2024, the Government launched the US$25 million Pandemic Fund Project on “Animal
Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.”
4.
It
strengthens genomic and environmental surveillance, laboratory
infrastructure and cross-border collaboration.
5.
It
is supported by the G20 Pandemic Fund and implemented in partnership
with the ADB, FAO and World Bank.
Significance:
1.
Disease control protects farmers from economic losses arising from lower
milk yield, reproductive failure and trade restrictions.
2.
India’s milk production increased from 146.31 million tonnes in 2014-15
to 247.87 million tonnes in 2024-25.
3.
Vaccination, surveillance and digital livestock identification together
create a more data-driven animal-health system.
4.
Improved livestock health contributes to farmer livelihoods, food
security and livestock productivity.
5.
Integration with the One Health framework strengthens India’s
capacity to address zoonotic diseases and future pandemic threats, while
supporting a healthier and more competitive livestock sector.
Source: PIB - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2302242®=48&lang=1