Withdraw India's Draft Animal Experimentation Rules 2026
The Issue
Animals deserve protection, not weaker safeguards.
We call on the Government of India to withdraw and reconsider the proposed Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Control and Supervision of Experiment, Breeding and Trading of Laboratory Animals) Rules, 2026 in their current form.
The proposed rules raise serious concerns about how animal experiments will be approved, monitored and regulated in India. We believe that scientific progress must never come at the expense of adequate animal-welfare protections.
WHY WE ARE CONCERNED
Animals are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, fear, stress and distress. They cannot consent to being used in laboratory experiments. This makes strong safeguards, independent scrutiny and transparent accountability essential.
Under Rule 11(3) of the proposed draft, experiments classified as mild or moderate would be considered by Institutional Animal Ethics Committees without referral to the central committee. Although reporting requirements are provided for certain approvals, we are concerned that reducing central-level scrutiny could weaken independent oversight.
The draft also classifies experiments by severity and lists procedures that may fall into different categories. A classification of mild or moderate does not mean that an animal experiences no suffering. Decisions must be based on sound scientific evidence, the welfare of the individual animal and rigorous safeguards.
We recognise that the draft includes provisions intended to protect laboratory animals, including requirements relating to veterinary supervision, humane endpoints and the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. However, these safeguards must be implemented effectively and supported by transparent, independent monitoring.
SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS MUST NOT COME AT THE COST OF ANIMALS
Research and medical innovation are important. But India should also accelerate the development and adoption of scientifically validated alternatives to animal experiments.
Human-cell-based research, organ-on-chip technologies and advanced computational models can provide alternatives for certain research questions. These approaches deserve greater investment wherever they can reliably replace animal use.
Our demand is not to obstruct ethical scientific research. It is to ensure that animal suffering is minimised, that alternatives are prioritised and that regulatory oversight remains strong.
WHAT WE DEMAND
1. Withdraw and reconsider the draft rules.
The Government of India should withdraw the proposed rules in their current form and conduct a comprehensive review before introducing revised regulations.
2. Strengthen independent oversight.
Approval of animal experiments must be subject to rigorous scrutiny, clear accountability and effective safeguards against conflicts of interest. The role of institutional committees must not come at the expense of adequate independent oversight.
3. Protect animals from unnecessary suffering.
Require robust scientific justification, appropriate pain relief, veterinary supervision, humane endpoints and enforceable standards for animal housing, care and post-experimental welfare.
4. Invest in alternatives to animal testing.
Increase funding, infrastructure and support for scientifically validated non-animal research methods. Replace animal experiments wherever reliable alternatives can achieve the intended scientific objective.
5. Make compliance transparent.
Strengthen reporting, inspections and enforcement. Publish appropriate information about animal use, experiment severity, welfare outcomes, regulatory violations and corrective action.
6. Give citizens and independent experts a meaningful voice.
Consult animal-welfare organisations, veterinarians, researchers, scientists and members of the public before finalising regulations that affect laboratory animals.
OUR APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
A country's scientific progress should be measured not only by its discoveries, but also by its commitment to ethical responsibility.
We believe that innovation and compassion can advance together. Animals should not bear unnecessary suffering simply because they cannot speak for themselves.
We urge the Government of India to listen to public concerns, reconsider the proposed Laboratory Animal Experimentation Rules, 2026, in their current form and establish a framework that puts animal welfare, independent oversight and the replacement of animal experiments wherever feasible at its heart.
We call for ethical science, stronger safeguards and a future in which scientific progress increasingly depends on humane alternatives.
Please sign and share this petition. Every voice can help bring animal welfare into the national conversation.
ANIMALS CANNOT SIGN THIS PETITION. WE CAN SPEAK UP FOR THEM.
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The Issue
Animals deserve protection, not weaker safeguards.
We call on the Government of India to withdraw and reconsider the proposed Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Control and Supervision of Experiment, Breeding and Trading of Laboratory Animals) Rules, 2026 in their current form.
The proposed rules raise serious concerns about how animal experiments will be approved, monitored and regulated in India. We believe that scientific progress must never come at the expense of adequate animal-welfare protections.
WHY WE ARE CONCERNED
Animals are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, fear, stress and distress. They cannot consent to being used in laboratory experiments. This makes strong safeguards, independent scrutiny and transparent accountability essential.
Under Rule 11(3) of the proposed draft, experiments classified as mild or moderate would be considered by Institutional Animal Ethics Committees without referral to the central committee. Although reporting requirements are provided for certain approvals, we are concerned that reducing central-level scrutiny could weaken independent oversight.
The draft also classifies experiments by severity and lists procedures that may fall into different categories. A classification of mild or moderate does not mean that an animal experiences no suffering. Decisions must be based on sound scientific evidence, the welfare of the individual animal and rigorous safeguards.
We recognise that the draft includes provisions intended to protect laboratory animals, including requirements relating to veterinary supervision, humane endpoints and the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. However, these safeguards must be implemented effectively and supported by transparent, independent monitoring.
SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS MUST NOT COME AT THE COST OF ANIMALS
Research and medical innovation are important. But India should also accelerate the development and adoption of scientifically validated alternatives to animal experiments.
Human-cell-based research, organ-on-chip technologies and advanced computational models can provide alternatives for certain research questions. These approaches deserve greater investment wherever they can reliably replace animal use.
Our demand is not to obstruct ethical scientific research. It is to ensure that animal suffering is minimised, that alternatives are prioritised and that regulatory oversight remains strong.
WHAT WE DEMAND
1. Withdraw and reconsider the draft rules.
The Government of India should withdraw the proposed rules in their current form and conduct a comprehensive review before introducing revised regulations.
2. Strengthen independent oversight.
Approval of animal experiments must be subject to rigorous scrutiny, clear accountability and effective safeguards against conflicts of interest. The role of institutional committees must not come at the expense of adequate independent oversight.
3. Protect animals from unnecessary suffering.
Require robust scientific justification, appropriate pain relief, veterinary supervision, humane endpoints and enforceable standards for animal housing, care and post-experimental welfare.
4. Invest in alternatives to animal testing.
Increase funding, infrastructure and support for scientifically validated non-animal research methods. Replace animal experiments wherever reliable alternatives can achieve the intended scientific objective.
5. Make compliance transparent.
Strengthen reporting, inspections and enforcement. Publish appropriate information about animal use, experiment severity, welfare outcomes, regulatory violations and corrective action.
6. Give citizens and independent experts a meaningful voice.
Consult animal-welfare organisations, veterinarians, researchers, scientists and members of the public before finalising regulations that affect laboratory animals.
OUR APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
A country's scientific progress should be measured not only by its discoveries, but also by its commitment to ethical responsibility.
We believe that innovation and compassion can advance together. Animals should not bear unnecessary suffering simply because they cannot speak for themselves.
We urge the Government of India to listen to public concerns, reconsider the proposed Laboratory Animal Experimentation Rules, 2026, in their current form and establish a framework that puts animal welfare, independent oversight and the replacement of animal experiments wherever feasible at its heart.
We call for ethical science, stronger safeguards and a future in which scientific progress increasingly depends on humane alternatives.
Please sign and share this petition. Every voice can help bring animal welfare into the national conversation.
ANIMALS CANNOT SIGN THIS PETITION. WE CAN SPEAK UP FOR THEM.
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Petition created on 15 October 2026