The Department of Animal Husbandry, D.A.H.D., Government of India, in coordination with I.C.A.R. – National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (I.C.A.R.–NIVEDI), Bengaluru, organised a two‑day national tabletop exercise 'Vajra‑SAT' on foot‑and‑mouth disease (FMD) serotype SAT‑1 on 4‑5 November 2026. The exercise, held under the theme 'Detect early, confirm fast, act together', concluded today with recommendations to strengthen national preparedness and coordinated response to cross‑border animal diseases
No cases of FMD serotype SAT‑1 have been reported in India: given its geographic spread from Africa to parts of West Asia, the exercise was conducted as a proactive preparedness initiative to safeguard livestock health, farmers’ livelihoods and the livestock economy
In the exercise, 83 participants from 25 states, three union territories and state animal husbandry departments, I.C.A.R. institutes, veterinary diagnostic labs, veterinary universities, vaccine manufacturers and defence and border security agencies took part. Through scenario‑based discussions, participants deliberated on early detection, laboratory confirmation, epidemiological investigation, animal movement control, emergency vaccination readiness, risk communication and coordinated response
The exercise was inaugurated on 4 November by Dr. Navina B. M., Chief Veterinary Officer, D.A.H.D., who emphasised the importance of proactive preparedness, early disease detection, timely response and effective coordination between central and state agencies. Dr. Baldev R. Gulati, Director, I.C.A.R.–NIVEDI, highlighted the emerging epidemiology of FMD SAT‑1 and the importance of risk‑based surveillance, epidemiological intelligence and early warning systems. Dr. J. K. Mahapatra, Director, I.C.A.R.–NIFMD, stressed laboratory readiness, rapid diagnosis and vaccine preparedness. Brigadier M.M. Ramachandra, Director, National Security Council Secretariat, noted the importance of inter‑agency coordination and border vigilance in preventing cross‑border animal diseases
On 5 November, the Deputy Secretary (Livestock Health), Shri Ramashankar Sinha, chaired the closing session, underscoring the importance of strengthening national and state‑level preparedness, including regional FMD laboratories and regional disease diagnostic laboratories (RDDLs), and enhancing laboratory diagnostic capacity with technical support from I.C.A.R.–NIFMD
During the closing, participants highlighted the importance of timely reporting, rapid laboratory confirmation, disease surveillance, movement control, vaccine readiness and interstate coordination. The exercise provided valuable information to develop appropriate preparedness and response strategies for FMD SAT‑1. The information, comments and recommendations shared during the exercise will support national preparedness and coordinated response mechanisms
In a separate technical meeting on 5 November 2026, co‑chaired by the Deputy Secretary (Livestock Health) and Chief Veterinary Officer, states participated in a discussion on FMD‑free compartmentalisation. The discussion focused on the segregation of semen production centres and semen banks into FMD‑free compartments. The initiative aims to strengthen disease prevention, protect valuable livestock genetic resources and facilitate safe livestock trade