Under the sun, yet undernourished: India’s alarming Vitamin D deficiency crisis

In a country like India where there is abundant sun exposure, Vitamin D deficiency seems like a distant idea. But the funny fact is – one in every four Indians has a Vitamin D deficiency. This data is presented by ICRIER (Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations) and ANVKA Foundation in a report titled ‘Roadmap to Address Vitamin D Deficiency in India’. The meta-analysis report also highlights that the deficiency is high in the Eastern region showing extreme levels of up to 38.81%. 

 

One might wonder about the absurdity of such deficiency especially looking at Indian weather. The absorption of Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays is the primary source of Vitamin D. Despite the popular belief that India receives ample sunlight throughout the year, the current studies show that rising population levels, urbanisation, and modern lifestyle changes have reduced sun exposure.

 

High air pollution in cities blocks UV radiation from reaching the skin. Regions with extreme climates such as hot summers or very cold winters also impact outdoor activities. The report also states how sunlight penetration is hindered in packed residential areas. 

 

The information about Vitamin D deficiency is very limited and hence its long-term impact on health goes ignored. Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and its deficiency leads to severe skeletal disorders such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Inadequate levels can also lead to muscle weakness, fatigue, and depression. Beyond bone health, Vitamin D deficiency is also linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.

 

Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash Healthcare and co-author of the study remarked, “Vitamin D deficiency is a silent epidemic affecting millions, yet it remains largely overlooked. Its impact extends beyond weak bones—it weakens immunity, increases the risk of chronic diseases, and imposes a significant economic burden on families and the healthcare system.”

 

Initiatives by the government have been taken to tackle this rising pandemic which includes milk and edible oil fortification and inclusion of Vitamin D in the list of essential medicines. ICMR-NIN released the “Dietary Guidelines for Indians” in 2024, which specifies the requirement and need for adequate sun exposure. 

 

But the report also points towards the lack of gaps in food fortification, which include the voluntary nature of fortification, the lack of incentives for product reformulation, the limited number of products allowed for fortification (only milk and oil), the exclusion of milk from the food given to children under the mid-day meal system, the omission of the unorganised/informal sector from fortification drive, etc. 

 

Project Dhoop, launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in collaboration with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has not been scaled up. 

 

Dr Aashish while highlighting the gap in policymaking and its implementation further added, “Tackling this crisis requires a unified effort from policymakers, healthcare professionals, industry leaders, and society as a whole. Through fortified nutrition, awareness campaigns, and proactive health strategies, we can build a ‘Vitamin D Kuposhan Mukt Bharat.’ This is not just a public health mission but a vital step toward a healthier, stronger, and more productive India as we progress toward Viksit Bharat 2047.”

 

Vitamin D deficiency is spreading like a pandemic, silently affecting some of the most vulnerable groups—children, adolescents, pregnant women, and the elderly. Addressing this crisis demands urgent and inclusive interventions. Expanding mandatory Vitamin D fortification to staple foods via the Public Distribution System (PDS), ensuring accessibility and affordability of Vitamin D2 supplements, promoting outdoor activities, and running nationwide awareness campaigns are crucial steps. Only through collective action can India hope to overcome this hidden health challenge and build a healthier, more resilient society.

Health