FMD readiness: 'Vajra-SAT' exercise ends with 83 participants from 25 states
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying held a two-day national exercise 'Vajra-SAT' on FMD serotype SAT-1 in Bengaluru on 4-5 November 2026, which concluded on 6 November with recommendations. It involved 83 participants from 25 states, three union territories and key national institutions, and concerns preparedness to protect livestock.
What this means for you
This exercise was for government departments, laboratories and agencies; ordinary livestock owners have not been asked to do anything under it. The release says no case of FMD serotype SAT-1 has been reported in India, so there is no cause for alarm. If your animal shows symptoms such as fever or sores in the mouth and hooves, contact your veterinarian or the animal husbandry department.
Key facts
- Exercise dates: 4-5 November 2026, in Bengaluru
- Total participants: 83, from 25 states and three union territories
- Theme: "Detect early, confirm fast, contain together"
- No case of FMD serotype SAT-1 reported in India
- A separate technical meeting on FMD-free compartmentalisation was held on 5 November 2026
- Release issued: 6 November 2026
What happened
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), with ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (ICAR-NIVEDI), Bengaluru, held a two-day national tabletop exercise ‘Vajra-SAT’ on 4-5 November 2026. The exercise focused on preparedness for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) serotype SAT-1 and concluded on 6 November with recommendations.
The theme was “Detect early, confirm fast, contain together”. The stated aim was to strengthen national preparedness and a coordinated response to transboundary animal diseases.
Why the exercise was held
According to the release, no case of FMD serotype SAT-1 has been reported in India. In view of its geographical spread from Africa to parts of West Asia, the exercise was held as a proactive preparation step to protect livestock health, farmers’ livelihoods and the livestock economy.
Who took part
83 participants from 25 states, three union territories and key national institutions joined the exercise. These included state animal husbandry departments, ICAR institutes, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, veterinary universities, vaccine manufacturers and defence and border security agencies.
Through disease-like scenarios, participants discussed early detection, laboratory confirmation, epidemiological investigation, animal movement control, emergency vaccination preparedness, risk communication and coordinated response.
What officials said
The exercise was inaugurated on 4 November by Dr Naveena B.M., Commissioner of Animal Husbandry, DAHD, who stressed advance preparation, early disease detection, timely response and effective coordination between central and state agencies.
Dr Baldev R. Gulati, Director, ICAR-NIVEDI, highlighted the evolving epidemiology of FMD SAT-1 and the importance of risk-based surveillance, epidemiological information and early warning systems. Dr J.K. Mahapatra, Director, ICAR-NIFMD, stressed laboratory preparedness, rapid diagnosis and vaccine readiness. Brigadier M.M. Ramchandra, Director, National Security Council Secretariat, spoke about inter-agency coordination and border vigilance in preventing transboundary animal diseases.
Closing session and the way ahead
On 5 November, the closing session was chaired by Shri Ramashankar Sinha, Additional Secretary (Livestock Health), DAHD. He stressed strengthening national and state-level preparedness, including regional FMD laboratories and regional disease diagnostic laboratories (RDDLs), with technical support from ICAR-NIFMD, and raising laboratory diagnostic capacity.
A separate technical meeting on FMD-free compartmentalisation, co-chaired by the Additional Secretary (Livestock Health) and the Commissioner of Animal Husbandry, was also held on 5 November 2026 with participation from states. The discussion focused on FMD-free separation of semen production centres and semen banks. The stated aim was to strengthen disease prevention, protect valuable livestock genetic resources and facilitate safe livestock trade.
The information, comments and recommendations shared during the exercise will support national preparedness and the coordinated response mechanism.
Questions and answers
What is the Vajra-SAT exercise?
It was a two-day national tabletop exercise on preparedness for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) serotype SAT-1. It was organised by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying with ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru, on 4-5 November 2026.
Has FMD serotype SAT-1 spread in India?
No. According to the release, no case of FMD serotype SAT-1 has been reported in India. The exercise was held as advance preparation in view of its geographical spread from Africa to parts of West Asia.
Who took part in the exercise?
83 participants from 25 states, three union territories and key national institutions took part. These included state animal husbandry departments, ICAR institutes, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, veterinary universities, vaccine manufacturers and defence and border security agencies.
Do ordinary livestock owners need to do anything?
The release gives no instruction or application for ordinary livestock owners. The exercise was about preparedness of government departments and agencies.
What was discussed at the FMD-free compartmentalisation meeting?
The meeting on 5 November 2026 discussed FMD-free separation of semen production centres and semen banks. Its stated aim was to strengthen disease prevention, protect valuable livestock genetic resources and facilitate safe livestock trade.
Source: PIB, "राष्ट्रीय अभ्यास 'वज्र-सैट' का बेंगलुरु में समापन, यह मवेशियों में खुरपका और मुंहपका रोग के लिए भारत की तैयारियों को मजबूत करता है", 6 November 2026. Read the original notice
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