Despite being a sun-rich country, India is facing a surprising and growing health issue — vitamin D deficiency. According to a new meta-analysis by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) in collaboration with the ANVKA Foundation, one in five Indians suffers from extremely low levels of vitamin D. Even more concerning, in some parts of the country, especially the Eastern region, the numbers are even higher — nearly 39% of people are affected.
Vitamin D, often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin,” is crucial for strong bones, a healthy immune system, and overall well-being. Yet, despite the abundant sunlight, millions of Indians — across all age groups — are not getting enough of it, either through sun exposure or diet.
Why Is Vitamin D Important?
Vitamin D plays a vital role in helping the body absorb calcium, keeping bones strong and preventing conditions like rickets in children and osteomalacia (bone softening) in adults. But that’s not all. Studies show that low vitamin D levels are linked to:
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Muscle weakness and chronic fatigue
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Increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes
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Depression and mood disorders
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Certain types of cancers
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A weakened immune system
Clearly, this “silent deficiency” has serious consequences for public health.
What’s Causing the Deficiency?
You might assume that living in a sunny country would automatically provide enough vitamin D, but that’s far from reality for many urban Indians. Here’s why:
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Limited Sun Exposure: Due to rising air pollution, high-rise buildings, and modern work culture that keeps people indoors, people simply aren’t getting enough direct sunlight.
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Use of Sunscreen: While sunscreen protects against harmful UV rays, it also blocks the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D.
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Clothing Habits: Cultural norms that include covering most of the body outdoors can also reduce skin exposure to sunlight.
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Skin Tone: Darker skin produces less vitamin D from sunlight compared to lighter skin.
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Urban Lifestyle: The fast-paced city lifestyle, combined with long work hours and little time spent outdoors, worsens the problem.
Diet and Economic Barriers
Vitamin D is found in only a few foods, such as fatty fish (like salmon and mackerel), eggs, and fortified dairy products. However, these foods are either not commonly consumed or are too expensive for large segments of the population.
To make matters worse, only 8–14% of Indians meet the recommended dairy intake. And in most parts of the country, basic staples like wheat and rice are not fortified with vitamin D. This means many people are missing out on even the minimal dietary sources available.
Testing for vitamin D levels and buying supplements is also financially challenging. A single test can cost more than ₹1,500, and a 10-tablet course of supplements can cost up to ₹130. The additional 18% GST (Goods and Services Tax) on supplements makes them even more unaffordable.
Health Impacts on the Most Vulnerable
The study highlights that women, children, older adults, and those living in cities are especially at risk. These groups already face health vulnerabilities, and vitamin D deficiency only increases the likelihood of issues like weak bones, muscle pain, fatigue, and reduced immunity.
In children, a severe lack of vitamin D can cause rickets, a condition that weakens bones and causes deformities. For the elderly, poor bone health raises the risk of fractures and mobility issues, further impacting quality of life.
Additionally, India’s growing problem with obesity and metabolic disorders also interferes with how the body processes and uses vitamin D, compounding the issue.
The Policy Gap
Despite the severity of the issue, India lacks a clear national strategy to tackle vitamin D deficiency. While efforts have been made to combat other nutritional issues like anaemia, vitamin D deficiency has largely remained under the radar.
Experts point out that since dietary sources are limited, the country must look toward large-scale supplementation and food fortification. But current recommendations vary widely, from basic daily intake to mega doses, leading to confusion and inaction.
What Needs to Be Done?
The researchers behind the meta-analysis have laid out a comprehensive nine-point policy plan to address the growing crisis:
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Stronger coordination among ministries to align efforts on health and nutrition.
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A national strategy that specifically targets high-risk groups like children, the elderly, and urban populations.
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A public awareness campaign, titled “Vitamin D Kuposhan Mukt Bharat,” to educate people about the importance of sunlight and diet.
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Mandatory food fortification, especially through the Public Distribution System, to ensure that everyday staples like rice and wheat carry added nutrients.
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Wider supplementation, especially for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children.
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Affordable testing and supplements, including local production of test kits to bring costs down.
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Increased funding and research to find long-term, scalable solutions.
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Better data collection to monitor vitamin D levels and track progress.
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Creation of a national task force to bring together government bodies, industry players, and global health experts for unified action.
A Call to Action
This growing deficiency is more than just a medical concern — it’s a national public health issue. Without immediate, coordinated action, India risks adding further pressure to its already overstretched healthcare system. The problem demands the same urgency and scale of response as past health campaigns, like the one that successfully tackled iodine deficiency through iodized salt.
Voluntary actions will not be enough. With millions still unaware of the risks and without a national plan, vitamin D deficiency will continue to quietly but powerfully impact the health of the nation.
Now is the time to bring this hidden health issue out of the shadows and into the spotlight — for a healthier, stronger India.
