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CDSCO Flags 17 Differences in Spurious Abhayrab Rabies Vaccine Batch KE25012

Target:UPSCMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
05 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Batch number KE2501217 differences40% market share of IIL5,726 annual human rabies deaths36% of world's rabies deaths1 in 5 bite victims never vaccinated
Bodies:CDSCOCentral Drugs Laboratory (Kasauli)Delhi PoliceCrime BranchDrugs Control DepartmentIndian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL)World Health OrganizationICMR
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.CDSCO busted spurious rabies vaccine racket after raids in Delhi; 17 differences found in batch KE25012 of Abhayrab.

2.Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) holds 40% of India’s rabies vaccine market; genuine batch of 83,370 vials was cleared through government checks.

3.ICMR study estimates 5,726 annual rabies deaths in India; India accounts for 36% of global rabies deaths, making vaccine integrity a life-or-death issue.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

A raid in Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar exposed a fake rabies vaccine racket selling spurious Abhayrab vials. CDSCO flagged 17 differences in the counterfeit batch, raising serious public health concerns given India’s high rabies death burden. The case underscores the need for stringent drug regulation and supply chain vigilance.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Batch NumberKE25012
Differences Flagged17
Annual Rabies Deaths (India)5,726 (ICMR 2025 study)
India’s Share of Global Rabies Deaths36% (WHO)
IIL Market Share40%
Genuine Batch Vials83,370

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Batch Number: KE25012
  • ›Differences Flagged: 17
  • ›Target this Data: 5,726 annual human rabies deaths in India (ICMR 2025 study); 36% of global rabies deaths; batch KE25012; 17 differences.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 – provisions on spurious and misbranded drugs.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is primarily responsible for the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the spurious rabies vaccine racket:

1. The counterfeit vials were found to have 17 differences from the genuine batch, including label and QR code discrepancies.

2. Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) holds a 40% share of the global rabies vaccine market.

3. The Drugs Controller General of India had alerted state drug controllers about the batch on August 27.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the ICMR study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, how many human rabies deaths occur annually in India?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary purpose of administering a rabies vaccine after an animal bite?

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