India discarded over 17.4 lakh blood components in 2025 NEW DELHI: India discarded over 17.4 lakh blood components in 2025, even as blood collection reached a record 1.58 crore units, according to state-wise data tabled in the Rajya Sabha, highlighting continued challenges in blood inventory management despite a steady rise in donations.Available official data indicate that China and India are among the world’s largest blood collection programmes. In 2025, India collected 15.71 million units of blood, while China collected 25.5 million units, according to China’s National Health Commission.The data, reported by blood centres through the government’s e-Raktakosh portal, show that expiry was the leading reason for discarding blood components, followed by reactive units and other operational reasons. Reason-wise discard data has been captured on the portal since 2024, while such details were not available for 2023.Replying to a question in Parliament, the Union health ministry, however, said it had not received any report of regional blood shortages. It added that ensuring an adequate supply of safe blood and minimising wastage is primarily the responsibility of state governments and Union Territories, while the Centre advocates a hub-and-spoke model under which blood is collected and processed at high-volume centres before being distributed to smaller blood banks and storage centres.According to the data, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest blood collection in 2025 with 21.6 lakh units, followed by Maharashtra (18.73 lakh), Gujarat (11.82 lakh), Rajasthan (10.79 lakh) and Tamil Nadu (9.74 lakh). Overall blood collection increased from 1.42 crore units in 2023 to 1.58 crore units in 2025.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe annexure also showed a corresponding increase in blood component utilisation, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan reporting the highest utilisation during 2025.At the same time, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest discard of blood components at 2.40 lakh, followed by Maharashtra (1.87 lakh), Kerala (1.44 lakh), Rajasthan (1.21 lakh) and Tamil Nadu (1.09 lakh). The ministry did not provide an analysis of the wide variation in discard across states.Dr Hema Goyal, Consultant (Blood centre & Lab services), Aakash healthcare said blood wastage is inevitable to some extent, particularly because platelets have a shelf life of only five days. But discarding 17.4 lakh blood components in a year points to a mismatch between collection and actual demand. The solution is not fewer donations but smarter inventory management through real-time stock sharing and better coordination between blood banks.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination ClaimsNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused DetainedJharkhand JPSC Protest: Hunger Striker Hospitalised After Four Days As Students Continue AgitationTamil Nadu CM Vijay’s Wife Sangeetha Withdraws Divorce Petition, Family Court Allows Withdrawal’Proof Of Corruption?’ JPSC Aspirant Makes Explosive Claims As Student Protests Intensify In RanchiExplained: Why PM Modi Asked NDA MPs To Avoid The ‘Lutyens’ Web’ And Stay Focused On Public OutreachBeyond BrahMos: Why Drones And Smart Weapons Could Become India’s Next Defence Export Boom?Gen-Alpha Grabs Spotlight At Ranchi JPSC-JSSC Protest As 13-Year-Old Zaid’s Appeal Goes ViralCentre Opposes Creamy Layer For SC-ST Quota, Says Discrimination Goes Beyond Economic StatusIAF’s : Bhawana Kanth Earns ‘Top Gun’ Title, Shivani Sehrawat Becomes Army Chief’s ADC123PhotostoriesEven with the same diet, why do some people develop kidney disease while others don’t? Doctor explains what really makes the differenceExclusive – Farrhana Bhatt on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, Shagun Sharma’s bullying claims against Gaurav Khanna and his divorce from Akanksha Chamola9 traditional South Indian Chicken Curries perfect for weekend dinnerHow to Wear a Tulsi Mala: 7 Important Things to Remember10 unique baby girl names that sound modern yet timelessKriti Sanon owns the night in a midnight-blue Gaurav Gupta couture gown embellished with 5,500 striking crystalsWhy marinating meat is important and 6 mistakes to avoid5 budget-friendly celebrity beauty hacks that actually work7 traditional Goan breads you need to try at least onceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame Shailesh Lodha’s luxurious home: A cozy lounge, a stunning balcony and more123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case
NEW DELHI: India discarded over 17.4 lakh blood components in 2025, even as blood collection reached a record 1.58 crore units, according to state-wise data tabled in the Rajya Sabha, highlighting continued challenges in blood inventory management despite a steady rise in donations.Available official data indicate that China and India are among the world’s largest blood collection programmes. In 2025, India collected 15.71 million units of blood, while China collected 25.5 million units, according to China’s National Health Commission.The data, reported by blood centres through the government’s e-Raktakosh portal, show that expiry was the leading reason for discarding blood components, followed by reactive units and other operational reasons. Reason-wise discard data has been captured on the portal since 2024, while such details were not available for 2023.Replying to a question in Parliament, the Union health ministry, however, said it had not received any report of regional blood shortages. It added that ensuring an adequate supply of safe blood and minimising wastage is primarily the responsibility of state governments and Union Territories, while the Centre advocates a hub-and-spoke model under which blood is collected and processed at high-volume centres before being distributed to smaller blood banks and storage centres.According to the data, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest blood collection in 2025 with 21.6 lakh units, followed by Maharashtra (18.73 lakh), Gujarat (11.82 lakh), Rajasthan (10.79 lakh) and Tamil Nadu (9.74 lakh). Overall blood collection increased from 1.42 crore units in 2023 to 1.58 crore units in 2025.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
The annexure also showed a corresponding increase in blood component utilisation, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan reporting the highest utilisation during 2025.At the same time, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest discard of blood components at 2.40 lakh, followed by Maharashtra (1.87 lakh), Kerala (1.44 lakh), Rajasthan (1.21 lakh) and Tamil Nadu (1.09 lakh). The ministry did not provide an analysis of the wide variation in discard across states.Dr Hema Goyal, Consultant (Blood centre & Lab services), Aakash healthcare said blood wastage is inevitable to some extent, particularly because platelets have a shelf life of only five days. But discarding 17.4 lakh blood components in a year points to a mismatch between collection and actual demand. The solution is not fewer donations but smarter inventory management through real-time stock sharing and better coordination between blood banks.
