India Sees Over 20 Lakh Excess Deaths in 2021; MoHFW and Niti Aayog Estimate 15.7 Lakh Amid Official Toll of 3.3 Lakh

Recent data released in May 2025 reveals that India experienced over 20 lakh excess deaths in 2021, while the official Covid-19 death toll reported was only 3.3 lakh. This discrepancy has sparked debate, with some government sources stating that excess deaths during the pandemic were in line with pre-2020 trends. An analysis by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Niti Aayog, however, estimates the excess Covid deaths for 2021 at 15.7 lakh, which is lower than the 20 lakh figure but still substantially higher than the official count. The true extent of Covid-19 fatalities in India during 2021 has been a subject of controversy, with some critics arguing that the government did not fully disclose the real numbers to the public. This issue has gained renewed attention amid other major news events, highlighting ongoing concerns about the accuracy of pandemic-related data in India.