Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has achieved the milestone of conducting 50 crores tests on August 18, 2021. With average daily testing of more than 17 lakhs in the month of August, India has tested 50 crore samples across the country to date.  

India has achieved the milestone of the last ten crore tests in only 55 days. On July 21, 2021, India had tested 45 Crores COVID-19 samples, which reached the 50 crores mark on August 18, 2021. This has been enabled by rapidly increasing testing infrastructure and capacity across the country.

ICMR has been enhancing COVID-19 testing capability across the country by expanding and diversifying testing capacity by leveraging technology and facilitating innovation in affordable diagnostic kits. The testing strategy has been carefully calibrated to increase access and availability of testing.

Prof (Dr) Balram Bhargava, Director General, ICMR said, “We have seen that exponential increase in testing led to early identification, prompt isolation and effective treatment of COVID-19 cases. This testing milestone is testimony to the fact that India has been successful in implementing the strategy of the 5T approach 'Test, Track, Trace, Treat and use of Technology' efficiently, which will enable us to contain the spread of the pandemic. Further, enhanced production of diagnostic kits has made India Atma Nirbhar, which has resulted in the reduction of costs and improved availability of testing kits.’’