Chennai: Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Tanuvas) has decided not to sanction animal experimentation proposals involving Forced Swim Test (FST).In FST, mice, hamsters and other small animals are administered test substances, placed in water-filled beakers and forced to swim to avoid drowning. It is purportedly used to study human depression.Vice-chancellor R Narendra Babu said Tanuvas had sanctioned none and stated, “We will not sanction any animal experimentation proposals involving FST, in future also,” according to a Peta release.Scientists argue that animals giving up and floating are conserving energy and adapting to a new environment, not displaying depression or despair. Research suggests FST may be less reliable than a coin toss in determining antidepressants’ effectiveness, Peta said. Tanuvas joins Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Himachal Institute of Pharmacy in Himachal Pradesh, Chitkara University in Chandigarh and CT University in Ludhiana, Punjab, which rejected FST after Peta India appeals.“By committing never to sanction the forced swim test, Tanuvas is demonstrating that scientific progress need not come at the cost of animal suffering,” said Peta India’s Scientist and Research Policy adviser Anjana Aggarwal. “Peta India commends Tanuvas for taking a clear stand against this cruel and scientifically flawed test and hopes its leadership will encourage other universities across India to follow suit,” she said.Following Peta India’s encouragement, Pharmacy Council of India issued directives in April 2025 and Jan 2026 urging its institutions to review and act on continued FST use. More than 100 scientists and experts back its call to end it. Peta India is urging Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals to impose a national ban. Following representations from Peta and other entities, many govt agencies, universities, and pharmaceutical companies worldwide have pledged not to permit, conduct, or fund FST.
