Counterfeiting in India – A Market Flooded with Fakes

The scale and persistence of counterfeiting in India’s consumer markets has once again been laid bare, with the release of the ‘State of Counterfeiting in India 2025’ report by the Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), in collaboration with CRISIL Intelligence. Launched at TAF Connect 2026, the study provides one of the most comprehensive snapshots to date of how counterfeit goods are infiltrating supply chains, reshaping consumer behaviour, and challenging enforcement efforts across the country.

Far from being a marginal issue, counterfeiting appears deeply embedded in everyday consumption. According to the report, 35% of consumers say they encountered fake products in the past year, while an overwhelming 89% admit to having purchased a counterfeit item at least once in their lifetime. These figures point not only to the ubiquity of illicit goods, but also to their normalisation within the marketplace.

The findings are based on a nationwide survey of 1,639 consumers across nine major urban centres – Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Indore. The study highlights not only the scale of the problem, but also its evolving nature, with counterfeit goods now spanning a wide range of sectors including pharmaceuticals, FMCG, automotive parts, apparel, consumer durables and agro-products.