Antimicrobial Resistance in India: Insights from the GLASS Report 2025

Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance in India

According to the Global Antibiotic Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) Report 2025, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India has emerged as a serious and rapidly growing threat. This report highlights crucial data that underscores the urgency of addressing AMR in the country.

Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS)

GLASS is the first global collaborative initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) designed to standardize AMR surveillance across countries. This initiative supports the second objective of the Global Action Plan on AMR (GAP-AMR), which aims to strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research.

Objectives of GLASS

GLASS seeks to continuously fill knowledge gaps to guide AMR-prevention strategies at global, national, and local levels, emphasizing the importance of an integrated surveillance approach.

Integrated Surveillance Approach

The system promotes a shift from surveillance based solely on laboratory data to an integrated approach that includes epidemiological, clinical, and population-level data.

India’s Contribution to GLASS

India contributes AMR data to GLASS through national networks such as the ICMR’s AMRSN (Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance & Research Network) and NCDC’s NARS-Net (National Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network).

Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the effects of antimicrobial medicines, rendering treatments ineffective. This is a natural biological process driven by genetic changes in pathogens.

Causes of AMR

• Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and plants accelerate resistance.
• Human activity remains the largest driver of its rapid global spread.

Impact of AMR

• Antibiotics and other medicines become ineffective.
• Common infections become harder or impossible to treat.
• Increased risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability, and death.

Key Findings of the GLASS 2025 Report

India is identified as one of the most severely affected countries. In 2023, one in three bacterial infections in India showed resistance to commonly used antibiotics.

Major Drivers of AMR in India

• High disease burden.
• Antibiotic misuse.
• Environmental contamination.
• Weak regulatory enforcement.

High Resistance to Major Antibiotics

Serious infections caused by E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus show high resistance rates, particularly in ICU settings in hospitals.

Challenges in Combating AMR in India

• Funding Gaps: Investment in AMR surveillance, innovation, laboratory systems, and public engagement remains insufficient.
• Slow Progress on NAP-AMR: Implementation of India’s National Action Plan on AMR has been slow.
• Data Limitations: Most AMR data comes from tertiary hospitals, leaving gaps in understanding resistance patterns in primary and secondary healthcare settings.

Way Forward

Tackling AMR requires coordinated, multi-sectoral action across human health, animal health, agriculture, and the environment. Strict regulation of antibiotic use, especially in poultry, fisheries, and livestock, is essential to prevent the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria.

Steps Taken in India

• National Programme on AMR Containment: A nationwide laboratory-based surveillance system has been established to generate high-quality AMR data.
• National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR: India’s NAP-AMR adopts a comprehensive One Health approach involving multiple ministries, departments, and stakeholders.
• AMR Surveillance Networks: Platforms like ICMR’s AMRSN and NCDC’s NARS-Net help collect evidence, track trends, and identify drug-resistant infections across India.
• Research & International Collaboration: India collaborates globally to strengthen research, develop new antimicrobials, and build capacity to combat AMR.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
Answer: AMR occurs when microorganisms evolve to resist the effects of antimicrobial medicines, making treatments ineffective. It poses a significant threat to public health globally.

Q2. How does India contribute to GLASS?
Answer: India provides AMR data through national networks like ICMR’s AMRSN and NCDC’s NARS-Net, enhancing global understanding and tracking of AMR.

Q3. What are the major drivers of AMR in India?
Answer: Major drivers include high disease burden, misuse of antibiotics, environmental contamination, and weak regulatory enforcement in healthcare practices.

Q4. Why is the National Action Plan on AMR important?
Answer: The National Action Plan on AMR is crucial for coordinating efforts to combat AMR through multi-sector