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Economy & Finance

India's livestock and poultry production

India's output of milk, eggs and meat, the leading states, and the official sources behind the numbers (Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics and the Livestock Census).

Pareto Academy · updated 26 October 2026

At a glance

India is the world's largest milk producer and the second-largest egg producer. The official yearly numbers come from the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS), released by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Separately, a Livestock Census counts the animals themselves about every five years.

Key facts

  • Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (created in 2019)
  • Department: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)
  • Latest BAHS: 2025 edition, released on National Milk Day, 26 November 2025, based on the Integrated Sample Survey for March 2024 to February 2025
  • Milk 2024-25: 247.87 million tonnes, up 3.58%; India ranks first in the world
  • Top milk states: Uttar Pradesh (15.66%), Rajasthan (14.82%), Madhya Pradesh (9.12%), Gujarat (7.78%), Maharashtra (6.71%)
  • Eggs 2024-25: 149.11 billion, up 4.44%; India ranks second after China
  • Top egg states: Andhra Pradesh (18.37%), Tamil Nadu (15.63%), Telangana (12.98%), West Bengal (10.72%), Karnataka (6.67%)
  • Per capita egg availability: 106 a year (62 in 2014-15)
  • Meat 2024-25: 10.50 million tonnes, up 2.46%; poultry meat is about half
  • 20th Livestock Census (2019): 535.78 million livestock
  • 21st Livestock Census: launched 25 October 2024

How it works

Two different data sources.

Source What it measures How often
Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics Production of milk, eggs, meat and wool Every year
Livestock Census Number of animals and poultry, by species and breed About every 5 years

The BAHS numbers come from the Integrated Sample Survey run with the states. The Livestock Census is a door-to-door count of animals and poultry.

Why National Milk Day. 26 November is the birth anniversary of Verghese Kurien, father of the White Revolution (Operation Flood, launched in 1970), so the milk and egg numbers are released that day.

Key schemes. Rashtriya Gokul Mission (indigenous cattle breeds, 2014), National Livestock Mission, and the National Animal Disease Control Programme (foot-and-mouth disease and brucellosis vaccination).

Recent developments

  • 25 Oct 2026: Industry estimates quoted in the press put 2025-26 egg output at about 157 billion. More than 90% of eggs are sold loose, and premium eggs are under 3% of the market. (Official figures for 2025-26 will come in the next BAHS.)

Exam traps

  • India is first in milk but second in eggs (China is first).
  • The top milk state is Uttar Pradesh; the top egg state is Andhra Pradesh. Don't swap them.
  • BAHS measures production; the Livestock Census counts animals.
  • National Milk Day (26 November, Kurien) differs from World Milk Day (1 June, FAO).
  • The ministry name includes Fisheries; fisheries has its own department within it.

Quick check

  • Q: Which state is India's largest egg producer? A: Andhra Pradesh.
  • Q: What was India's milk production in 2024-25? A: 247.87 million tonnes.
  • Q: On which day is the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics released? A: National Milk Day, 26 November.

Further reading

Sources

In the news

Every time this topic has appeared in our current affairs, newest first:

  1. 25 October 2026Egg economy: India produced 149 billion eggs in 2024-25, Andhra Pradesh leads