The central government has introduced a new law to prevent cruelty to animals.
Member of Parliament Dayanidhi Maran has written to the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajeev Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, asking that this law be reviewed.
"The proposed amendment, which would allow the ethics committees of institutions to approve experiments, including those involving large animals,
raises important questions about accountability and the adequacy of independent review.
Concerns are also being raised about exemptions that could pave the way for capturing wild animals, stray dogs, and cats for use in laboratory experiments.
India has already made progress in approving alternatives that do not use animals in cosmetics testing, medical education, and certain drug testing methods.
Human cell-based research, advanced medical technologies such as organ-on-chip, which replicate the functions of human organs in the form of computer chips,
human tissue models, and computational methods offer excellent opportunities to reduce animal testing and promote scientific progress.
1. An extensive review should be carried out in consultation with independent animal welfare experts, scientists, veterinarians, research institutions, and community organizations.
2. Restrictions on animal testing and strong independent oversight carried out by the `Monitoring Committee' (CCSEA) should be maintained continuously in practice.
I have written to Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Thiru.@LalanSingh_1 urging him to review and withdraw the proposed Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules, 2026, in their current form. Diluting independent oversight, weakening safeguards and permitting… pic.twitter.com/TQAbRYR8hM
— Dayanidhi Maran தயாநிதி மாறன் (@Dayanidhi_Maran) October 23, 2026
3. By removing vague exemptions that allow the capture of wild animals and animals living alongside humans for use in laboratory experiments,
and by ensuring that any exceptions are precisely defined, legally justified, and subject to strict scrutiny, their safeguards should be strengthened.
4. Final research studies that are effective and enforceable should protect animal welfare standards, including appropriate anesthesia and pain relief, humane conditions, rehabilitation requirements where applicable, and monitoring of facilities and unannounced inspections,
and should protect animal welfare standards.
5. To promote the development and use of scientifically validated non-animal research methods, with a dedicated budget allocation for this purpose,
an institutional framework, facilities, and a clear national plan to reduce animal testing wherever scientifically feasible and to gradually replace it entirely with alternative methods should be established."