The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), in collaboration with CRISIL, today launched the State of Counterfeiting in India 2025 report at TAF Connect 2026, India’s foremost authentication and brand protection industry conclave.
Counterfeiting remains deeply entrenched in India’s consumer markets. According to the latest “State of Counterfeiting in India 2025” report released by the Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA) in collaboration with CRISIL Intelligence, nearly 35% reported encountering fake products in the past year. Alarmingly, almost 9 out of 10 urban consumers (89%) admitted to having purchased a counterfeit product at least once in their lifetime.
The nationwide study, based on a consumer survey of 1,639 respondents across nine major Indian cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Indore – highlights the growing scale, changing channels, and increasing consumer awareness regarding counterfeit products across multiple industries.
The report covers key sectors including pharmaceuticals, FMCG, automotive parts, apparel, consumer durables, and agro-products, providing one of the most comprehensive insights into India’s counterfeiting ecosystem.
Key Findings from the ASPA–CRISIL 2025 Study
Counterfeits Widely Encountered Across Consumer Markets. The study highlights widespread exposure to counterfeit products among urban consumers.
Sector-wise Counterfeiting Exposure
The report highlights varying levels of counterfeit exposure across sectors.
- Apparel
The apparel sector emerges as one of the most affected categories, with 31% of consumers reporting that they encountered or purchased counterfeit apparel in the past 12 months, reflecting the high prevalence of fake fashion products in both online and offline markets.
- FMCG
Counterfeiting is increasingly visible even in daily-use consumer goods. 27% of consumers reported encountering counterfeit FMCG products within the last year, indicating risks in everyday household products such as packaged food, personal care, and home care items.
- Automotive Parts
Counterfeit automotive components pose serious safety concerns. 22% of respondents reported encountering counterfeit automotive parts, highlighting the risks associated with fake spare parts in the vehicle replacement market.
- Consumer Durables
The fast-growing appliances and electronics segment is also vulnerable. 18% of consumers reported encountering counterfeit consumer durable products, with over half of such exposure occurring through online channels.
- Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals – Counterfeit medicines are estimated to account for around 28% of the market, raising serious public health concerns
- Agro-products
Counterfeit agro-products continue to threaten farm productivity and rural incomes. The study indicates that 35% of farmers have encountered counterfeit agro-products, and farmers estimate that close to 30% of agro-inputs available in the market may be counterfeit, raising concerns for crop yield, farmer trust, and food security.
Digital Channels Emerging as Major Source of Counterfeits
The study highlights the growing role of digital commerce in the distribution of counterfeit products.
- Online aggregator platforms account for 53% of counterfeit purchases, making them the largest channel.
- Local retail outlets remain dominant for agro-products (75%) and pharmaceuticals (63%).
- Social media advertisements are emerging as a major channel, especially for apparel (46%) and consumer electronics (35%).
Changing Consumer Behaviour
Despite widespread exposure, consumer attitudes toward counterfeits are gradually shifting.
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- Counterfeit products are perceived to be around 22% cheaper than genuine goods.
- However, only 36% of consumers cite price as the primary reason for purchasing counterfeit products.
- Encouragingly, consumers are willing to pay an average 9% premium for guaranteed genuine products, with higher willingness in pharmaceuticals (12%) and agro-products (14%).
- In addition, 50% of consumers say they would file a complaint if they received a counterfeit product, reflecting rising consumer awareness and intolerance toward fake goods.
Speaking at the event Mr. Ankit Gupta, President, ASPA, highlighted that-“Counterfeiting is a global menace that adversely affects the economy of almost every country. Not only are counterfeit goods a risk to consumers’ health and well-being, but they also distort market competition, damage legitimate producers and cause tax revenue losses for governments. In India, counterfeiting incidents have increased over the past three years, with counterfeiters becoming increasingly sophisticated and better funded. The growth of e-commerce and globalisation of markets has made the fight against counterfeiting even more challenging. At ASPA, we believe that by bringing this issue to industry and government forums, we contribute meaningfully to this fight. This report is part of our initiative to build awareness of the economic and societal impact of counterfeiting — what many call the crime of the 21st century.”
Highlighting the key points from the report Ms. Anjali Nathwani, Director, Crisil Intelligence, said-“An important finding from the survey is that 74% of consumers believe the incidence of counterfeiting has increased in the last 12 months. Another intriguing finding is that 93% of consumers think more awareness campaigns are needed, even though two-thirds feel confident about identifying a counterfeit product. This gap between awareness and action points to the need for concerted effort from the government, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers working together to combat counterfeiting.”
Growing Need for Authentication & Traceability
The findings reinforce the urgent need for stronger authentication and traceability mechanisms, improved regulatory enforcement, and greater industry collaboration to combat the growing threat of counterfeiting.
Technologies such as secure packaging, serialization, track-and-trace systems, digital authentication, and consumer verification solutions are increasingly being adopted globally to safeguard supply chains and protect consumers.
About the Study
- The ASPA–CRISIL “State of Counterfeiting in India 2025” report is based on:
- Primary consumer survey of 1,639 respondents
- Coverage across nine major Indian cities
- Industry consultations and secondary research
The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of counterfeiting trends, consumer perceptions, and sector-specific risks in India, helping policymakers, brand owners, and industry stakeholders design stronger strategies to combat illicit trade.
