About Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC)

The Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) is a regulatory body formed within research and educational institutions in India to oversee the ethical use of animals in experimentation and research.

It functions under the guidance and registration of the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA), which operates under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

IAEC approval is mandatory before initiating any scientific experiment involving animals.

Registration Number of Animal House Facility of establishment (COVAS, Udgir) is 260/GO/ReBi-S/ReRc-L/2000/CPCSEA for "Research for Education purpose, Breeding for in-house use on small animals and Research for Education Purpose, Research for Commercial Purpose on large animals (Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep and Goat).

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Ethical Review of Research Projects: Ensure scientific validity, justification for animal use, species selection, and number of animals used
• Application of 3Rs
  • Replacement – Use non-animal alternatives wherever possible
  • Reduction – Use the minimum number of animals necessary.
  • Refinement – Minimize animal pain, suffering, and distress.
• Facility Inspection and Monitoring: Regular visits to animal facilities to ensure proper housing, feeding, sanitation, and record-keeping.
• Protocol Amendments and Annual Reviews: Oversight of changes in procedures or study objectives, and review of ongoing experiments.
• Humane Endpoints and Euthanasia Guidelines: Ensure that the animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain and that euthanasia protocols are followed when needed.