Science Advances Study Estimates 1.2 Million Excess COVID-19 Deaths in India in 2020, 8 Times More Than Official Figures

Jul 20, 2024, 08:48 AM

A recent study published in the journal Science Advances estimates that India experienced nearly 1.2 million excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a figure significantly higher than official reports. The study highlights large and unequal declines in life expectancy, with women and marginalized communities such as Muslims (5.4 yrs), Adivasis (4.1 yrs), and Dalits (2.7 yrs) experiencing the most significant losses compared to higher-caste Hindus (1.3 yrs). The Indian government, however, has dismissed these findings, calling the estimates grossly misleading and based on flawed methodologies. Official data from the Civil Registration System (CRS) records only 474,000 excess deaths in 2020, with 149,000 attributed specifically to COVID-19. Government officials argue that the study's projections are not tenable and do not align with ground data.