India's top universities ban cruel Forced Swim Test after PETA campaign

Two major universities in India have now banned the controversial Forced Swim Test (FST) on animals. The move follows years of campaigning by PETA India, which argues that the test is both cruel and scientifically unreliable. Regulatory bodies are also reviewing its use nationwide. Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) recently confirmed it no longer conducts the FST. Dr. Swaran Singh Randhawa, the university's dean, stated that the institution neither promotes nor approves the test. This decision aligns with growing concerns over its ethical and scientific validity.

CT University in Ludhiana announced its ban on March 11, 2026, after discussions with PETA India. Chitkara University in Chandigarh had already discontinued the test in 2023. Both institutions cited the test's questionable reliability and committed to adopting more humane research methods. The FST involves dosing animals with substances before placing them in beakers of water. Researchers then observe their swimming behaviour, claiming it models depression. However, critics argue that the animals' responses do not accurately reflect human conditions. Studies even suggest the test is no more reliable than a coin toss in predicting antidepressant effectiveness. PETA India's campaign has gained significant support, with over 100 scientists and experts backing its call for a national ban. The Pharmacy Council of India has also directed affiliated agencies to review the FST's continued use. The organisation is now urging the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA) to prohibit the test across the country.

The bans at GADVASU, CT University, and Chitkara University mark a shift toward more ethical research practices. With regulatory bodies reviewing the FST and scientific consensus questioning its validity, further restrictions on the test may follow. PETA India continues to push for a complete nationwide prohibition.