9 Dec 2025 • Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affected nearly one in four pregnant women in India, according to a nationally representative ICMR-INDIAB analysis.

Among 1,032 women screened with oral glucose tolerance testing or fasting glucose, the weighted prevalence of GDM reached 22.4%, with similar rates in urban and rural settings (24.2% vs. 21.6%). Early GDM, diagnosed before 20 weeks, was also common at 19.2%, while late-onset GDM occurred in 23.4% of pregnancies. Prevalence varied markedly by region, peaking in Central India (32.9%) and lowest in the West (16%). Elevated systolic blood pressure and a family history of diabetes independently increased risk.

With both early and late pregnancy showing high prevalence, researchers emphasize universal screening starting early in pregnancy to enable timely diagnosis and metabolic management.

Source: IJMR | Read Full Story