TL;DR: Data from the e-Raktkosh portal, maintained by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, shows that blood collection in India increased from 126.95 lakh units in 2023 to 157.14 lakh units in 2025, a 24% increase in two years. At the same time, reported blood and blood components discarded increased from 8 lakh to 17.43 lakh, an increase of nearly 118%. In 2025, Maharashtra reported the highest number of discarded blood and components at 1.87 lakh units, while Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest collection at 21.61 lakh units. Expiry was the most reported reason for discards in both 2024 and 2025, accounting for about 45% to 46% of reported discards.

Context

Blood is a critical healthcare resource, but unlike many other medical supplies, it has a limited shelf life. Collecting enough blood is therefore only one part of maintaining a reliable blood supply. Blood also needs to be tested, stored, distributed and used within the required time.

Data shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in response to a Rajya Sabha question provides a state-wise and year-wise picture of blood collected and blood and blood components discarded in India.

Who Compiles This Data?
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Health and Family Welfare, compiled and shared the information in response to a Rajya Sabha question on reducing blood wastage and regional shortages in the blood supply chain.

The data is reported by blood centres through the e-Raktkosh portal. It covers blood collected and blood and blood components discarded across States and Union Territories, along with reported reasons for discards. The information was provided in response to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1882, answered on 4 August 2026.

Where can I download Clean & Structured Data on Blood Collected and Discarded?

Clean, structured and analysis-ready data covering yearly and state-wise blood collection and discards, as well as reported reasons for discarded blood and components, can be downloaded from Dataful.

Key Insights

Blood Collection Increased by 24% Between 2023 and 2025

India’s reported blood collection increased from 126.95 lakh units in 2023 to 157.14 lakh units in 2025, a 24% increase over two years. Collection rose by 15% in 2024 and another 8% in 2025.

Reported discards, however, increased at a much faster pace. Blood and blood components discarded rose from 8 lakh units in 2023 to 12.18 lakh units in 2024, a 52% increase. In 2025, discards rose further to 17.43 lakh units, an increase of 43% from the previous year. Overall, reported discards increased by nearly 118% between 2023 and 2025.

Uttar Pradesh Collected the Most Blood, While Maharashtra Reported the Highest Discards

The state-wise data shows differences between blood collection and reported discards across States and Union Territories. In 2025, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest blood collection at 21.61 lakh units, followed by Maharashtra at 18.73 lakh units and Gujarat at 11.82 lakh units. Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu followed with 10.79 lakh units and 9.74 lakh units, respectively.

The trend was different for reported discards. Maharashtra recorded the highest number at 1.87 lakh units, followed by Kerala at 1.44 lakh units and Rajasthan at 1.21 lakh units. Tamil Nadu reported 1.09 lakh units, while Madhya Pradesh reported 0.88 lakh units.

An interesting difference appears between the two rankings. Uttar Pradesh, which recorded the highest collection, did not feature among the top 10 States/UTs by reported discards. Kerala, meanwhile, ranked among the top 10 for reported discards despite not being among the top 10 for collection. These differences indicate variation in reported discard patterns across states, although the data alone does not establish the reasons behind them.

Expiry Was the Largest Reported Reason for Discards

Expiry was the most reported category of discarded blood and components in both 2024 and 2025. In 2024, 5.47 lakh units, or about 45% of reported discards, were classified as expired. This increased to 8.02 lakh units in 2025, accounting for about 46% of reported discards. Reactive blood and components increased from 2.63 lakh units to 3.90 lakh units, while those classified under “other” increased from 4.08 lakh units to 5.51 lakh units.

The number of discarded blood and components attributed to expiry increased by about 47% between 2024 and 2025. Since blood has a limited shelf life, expiry can be linked to how inventories are stored, distributed and used. However, the available data does not establish whether these expiries were caused by excess collection, changes in demand, redistribution challenges or other inventory-management factors.

Why Does It Matter? 

India’s blood collection rose by 24% between 2023 and 2025, while reported blood and component discards increased by nearly 118%. This does not necessarily mean that India is collecting too much blood, as discards can result from expiry, reactive test results and other reasons.

The state-level differences also show that blood availability depends on more than national collection. Blood must reach the right place, in the right form and within its usable shelf life. The rise in expired blood and components highlights the importance of better inventory management, demand forecasting and timely redistribution.

Key Numbers (from 2023 to 2025)

Blood Collection and Discards

• 2023: 126.95 lakh units collected; 8 lakh units discarded

• 2024: 146.01 lakh units collected; 12.18 lakh units discarded

• 2025: 157.14 lakh units collected; 17.43 lakh units discarded

Top State/UT by Collection in 2025

• Uttar Pradesh: 21.61 lakh units

• Maharashtra: 18.73 lakh units

• Gujarat: 11.82 lakh units

Top State/UT by Reported Discards in 2025

• Maharashtra: 1.87 lakh units

• Kerala: 1.44 lakh units

• Rajasthan: 1.21 lakh units

Reported Reasons for Discards

• 2024: 5.47 lakh units expired, 2.63 lakh units reactive, 4.08 lakh units other

• 2025: 8.02 lakh units expired, 3.90 lakh units reactive, 5.51 lakh units other