Background
  • In May 2025, India detected new COVID-19 variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
  • It monitors the genetic evolution of the virus in the country.
  • INSACOG was established in December 2020 by the Government of India as a multi-institutional consortium to track SARS-CoV-2 variants using genomic sequencing.
New Variants Detected
  • One case of the 1.8.1 variant was identified in Tamil Nadu in April 2025.
  • Four cases of the 7 variant were reported in Gujarat in May 2025.
Global Classification by WHO
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies both NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 as Variants Under Monitoring (VUM).
  • These variants are not categorized as Variants of Concern (VOC) or Variants of Interest (VOI).
  • 1.8.1 and LF.7 are linked to a rise in COVID-19 cases in China and parts of Asia.

PREVALENT VARIANTS IN INDIA

  • The most common variant in India remains 1, accounting for 53% of samples tested.
  • The 2 variant constitutes 26% of samples.
  • Other Omicron sub lineages make up 20% of cases.

VIROLOGICAL FEATURES & RISK ASSESSMENT

  • WHO’s preliminary risk assessment considers NB.1.8.1 to pose a low public health risk globally.
  • However, mutations in the NB.1.8.1 spike protein (A435S, V445H, T478I) suggest increased transmissibility and better immune evasion than previous variants.

CURRENT COVID SITUATION IN INDIA

  • As of May 19, 2025, there were 257 active COVID-19 cases reported nationwide.
  • Localized increases in cases have been observed in several regions:
    • Delhi reported 23 new cases.
    • Andhra Pradesh reported 4 new cases.
    • Telangana confirmed 1 case.
    • Bengaluru reported a positive case in a nine-month-old child.
    • Kerala reported 273 cases in the month of May alone.

GOVERNMENT & EXPERT RESPONSE

  • A meeting was recently held, chaired by the Director General of Health Services, to review the evolving COVID-19 situation.
  • Experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and other key health institutions participated.
  • The government continues close monitoring of new variants through genomic surveillance and emphasizes preparedness to control any surge.
ABOUT INDIAN SARS CoV 2 GENOMICS CONSORTIUM (INSACOG)
  • Established: December 2020 by the Union Ministry of Health and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), in collaboration with the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and ICMR.
  • Structure: Consortium of 54 laboratories across India conducting genomic sequencing, coordinated by the NCDC, Delhi.
  • Mandate:
    • Initially focused on variants among international passengers.
    • Evolved to early detection of emerging variants within India.

OBJECTIVES

  • Early detection of genomic variants with public health implications via sentinel surveillance.
  • Identification of variants linked to unusual events such as vaccine breakthroughs, superspreader events, and high mortality zones.
  • Correlation of genomic data with epidemiological trends.
  • Recommend public health actions based on combined genomic and epidemiological analyses.

IMPACT:

  • Helps to understand superspreader events and outbreaks.
  • Strengthens public health interventions to break transmission chains.