Two Indian universities ban cruel Forced Swim Test after PETA campaign

Two major Indian universities have now banned the controversial Forced Swim Test (FST) on animals. The move follows a sustained campaign by PETA India, which highlighted the test's cruelty and questionable scientific value. Both institutions have committed to using humane, human-relevant research methods instead. Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) recently confirmed it has stopped conducting the FST. The Dean of its College of Veterinary Science stated that the university neither promotes nor approves the test. This decision aligns with growing opposition to the practice.

CT University in Ludhiana also announced its ban on the test, effective since 2023. The university revealed on 11 March 2026 that it would prohibit the FST in all current and future research, following earlier action by Chitkara University in Chandigarh. Both institutions cited ethical concerns raised by PETA India.

The FST involves placing small animals, often dosed with experimental substances, into beakers of water. Researchers then force them to swim to avoid drowning, a method critics argue causes unnecessary distress. Over 100 scientists and experts have supported PETA India's call to end the test, questioning its relevance to human depression.

Beyond universities, the Pharmacy Council of India has directed its affiliated agencies to review the test's continued use. Meanwhile, PETA entities worldwide have persuaded government bodies, pharmaceutical companies, and other research institutions to abandon the FST. Many have pledged not to fund, conduct, or permit it in future studies. The bans at GADVASU and CT University mark a shift away from animal suffering in Indian research. PETA India continues to push for a nationwide prohibition by urging the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA) to act. The decisions reflect broader global momentum against the test's use in scientific studies.