India Elephant Population 2025

The Indian elephant population in 2025 has drawn significant attention from conservationists, policymakers, and students preparing for competitive exams like SSC. According to the latest All-India Synchronous Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) 2025, the country’s wild elephant population stands at 22,446, marking a 17% decline compared to the 2017 estimate of 27,312.

However, experts emphasise that these figures are not directly comparable because the 2025 count utilised advanced DNA-based census techniques instead of traditional visual sightings.

This report is notable, as India conducted its first-ever genetic census of elephants, providing more accurate data for wildlife conservation and planning.

New DNA-Based Census Methodology

The 2025 elephant census in India was revolutionary in its approach. Scientists collected 21,056 dung samples from forests spanning 670,000 km of elephant habitats. Using DNA fingerprinting, researchers identified 4,065 unique elephants. A mark-recapture statistical model then estimated the total wild elephant count, reducing duplication errors common in visual surveys.

The DNA elephant census in India provides insights not only into population size but also genetic diversity, which is crucial for the long-term survival of elephants in India.

While the process delayed the report’s release since 2021, the enhanced accuracy makes it a landmark in elephant statistics and Indian elephant population 2025 studies.

Population Distribution Across Regions

India hosts over 60% of the world’s Asian elephants. The Indian elephant distribution for 2025 shows varying numbers across different regions:

• Western Ghats: 11,934 elephants – largest stronghold

• Northeastern Hills and Brahmaputra floodplains: 6,559 elephants

• Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains: 2,062 elephants

• Central India and Eastern Ghats: 1,891 elephants

This India wild elephant population distribution reflects both habitat availability and successful conservation measures, contributing to the India elephant population in 2025.

State-wise Elephant Population in India 2025

Understanding the state-wise elephant population in India in 2025 is crucial for recognising regional conservation challenges:

• Karnataka: 6,013

• Assam: 4,159

• Tamil Nadu: 3,136

• Kerala: 2,785

• Uttarakhand: 1,792

• Odisha: 912

• Arunachal Pradesh: 617

• Meghalaya: 677

• Nagaland: 252

• Tripura: 153

• Madhya Pradesh: 97

• Maharashtra: 63

Smaller populations in states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra highlight fragmented habitats, while higher numbers in Karnataka and Assam indicate strong conservation frameworks, impacting the overall Indian elephant population in 2025.

Threats to Elephant Populations in India

The decline in India's elephants is influenced by several critical factors:

1. Habitat loss: Deforestation and infrastructure projects shrink elephant territories.

2. Blocked corridors: Reduced connectivity forces elephants into human settlements.

3. Human-elephant conflict: Increasing interactions cause electrocution, train accidents, and retaliatory killings, severely affecting the elephant population decline in India.

Addressing these threats requires strategic conservation policies, habitat restoration, and conflict mitigation measures to protect India’s elephants and improve the Indian elephant population by 2025.

Significance of the DNA-Based Census

The India elephant population 2025 DNA-based census offers multiple benefits:

• Provides a reliable population estimate for better planning.

• Monitors genetic diversity, essential for species survival.

• Supports research on elephant movement, distribution, and population trends.

• Sets a precedent for wildlife population assessment in India, encouraging similar approaches for other species.

Moreover, India’s first genetic census of elephants ensures that future conservation strategies are grounded in precise elephant statistics and aid in India’s elephant population 2025 planning.

Final Thoughts

The Indian elephant population in 2025 has been officially estimated at 22,446, marking a decline from 2017. This count is India’s first-ever DNA-based genetic census, making it more accurate than visual surveys. Scientists collected over 21,000 dung samples across 670,000 km of elephant habitats and identified 4,065 unique elephants using DNA fingerprinting.

The largest populations are in the Western Ghats and the Northeastern Hills, while fragmented herds exist in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Major threats include habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and blocked migration corridors.

This genetic census provides reliable population estimates, aids conservation planning, and highlights the urgent need to protect India’s wild elephants for future generations.