Beyond the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897: Rethinking India’s Public Health Laws for Pandemic Preparedness – Lessons from Singapore

The Epidemic Diseases Act (EDA), 1897, was enacted in the late 19thcentury in the wake of the third plague pandemic in India and wasa significant step in colonial public health legislation. However, morethan a century later, the COVID-19 pandemic laid out how outdatedthis law is for addressing current public health challenges. This researcharticle examines the historical antecedents and shortcomings of theEDA, 1897, and compares India’s public health response with that ofa country like Singapore which has a comprehensive and exhaustiveapproach to tackling public health through a legal mandate underthe Infectious Diseases Act, 1976. The article also examines thePublic Health (Prevention, Control and Management of Epidemics,Bio-terrorism and Disasters) Bill, 2017 which tried to replace the EDA but never came into being due to its centralisation of power and non-consultation with civil society. The study compares the effectiveness of lockdown measures taken against the COVID-19 pandemic in bothcountries through a comparative analysis of COVID-19 data and stressesthat legal frameworks, governance, and public accountability arecritical in the management of epidemics. The study further providespractical suggestions to reinforce India’s public health system, focusingon revamping legal provisions, strengthening healthcare infrastructurecapacities, upgrading Centre-State coordination, and ensuring Indiahas access to devolved and contextual measures in future crises.Adaptation of world-class practices including that of Singapore canhelp India build a future-ready proactive public health system that canensure protection for its population against future health challenges. How to cite this article:Anand A, Ranjan P, Kumar R. Beyond the EpidemicDiseases Act, 1897: Rethinking India’s PublicHealth Laws for Pandemic Preparedness – Lessonsfrom Singapore. J Commun Dis. 2025;57(1):33-43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202504