In the past few years, India has undergone a tremendous change in eating habits, with more and more people opting for veganism-a lifestyle that excludes the use of any animal product like dairy and meat. The movement is now gaining more popularity among various demographics and may herald a change in India's culinary map ahead. 

The rise of veganism in India

According to the national survey conducted by YouGov in November 2023, 59% of Indians would contemplate going vegan in the near term. Several reasons came up through this survey: 

Health: Veganism is believed to be good for health by 74% of those surveyed.

 

Environmental Concerns: 72% of respondents think that eating plant-based food helps the environment.

 

Animal Rights: 73% of respondents think that veganism is a means to prevent animal exploitation. 

 

The above statistics prove that the awareness of Indians regarding plant-based consequences is growing.

Demographic Insights

Veganism scans unmistakably in the younger stratum. As per a survey taken out by Rakuten Insight in February 2024, over 64% of Indian respondents had consumed plant-based substitutes of existing animal-based food products while the highest rate of consumption (almost 70%) was recorded among respondents aged between 25 and 34.

 

Cultural Factors and Traditional Diets

A significant factor in this change is India's tremendous tradition of vegetarianism. Almost seventy percent of the members in a YouGov survey think India's vegetarian legacy would aid in promoting veganism. A lot of traditional Indian recipes are plant-based by default, hence a better transition for many to a vegan diet. 

Public Awareness and Participation

Campaigns like Veganuary, which motivate people to try out a vegan diet for January, also seem to have a great participatory background in India. Roughly 128,000 Indians registered for Veganuary in 2024, testifying to the rising popularity of the campaign. 

Conclusion

The convergence of health consciousness, environmental awareness, and ethical consideration is attracting more Indians into the quest for the adoption of veganism. Should this transformation stretch on, it would potentially spell a massive turnaround for the dietary setting in India, wherein plant-based living commences to be instilled in the country's future.