46% of Hyderabad Consumers Encountered Counterfeits in Past Year, ASPA Survey Finds

Nearly 46 per cent of consumers in Hyderabad encountered counterfeit products over the past 12 months, according to a survey conducted by Crisil Intelligence for the Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA). The findings show Hyderabad recorded the highest share of consumers reporting fake goods in South India, surpassing Chennai at 39 per cent and Bengaluru at 33 per cent.

The data was released as part of the ASPA-Crisil State of Counterfeiting in India 2025 report during the "Fake Free India" event held in Hyderabad on Monday. The study also revealed that 91 per cent of Hyderabad residents have come across a counterfeit product at least once in their lifetime.

The nationwide survey covered 1,639 consumers across nine Indian cities and evaluated six major sectors: apparel, FMCG, automotive parts, consumer durables, healthcare items, and agro-products. Overall, consumers estimated that approximately 29 per cent of products available in local markets could be counterfeit, while 74 per cent believed counterfeiting activity had risen in their area over the past year.

Compared to a previous edition of the survey in 2022, 53 per cent of respondents identified online aggregator apps as the primary source of fake goods. Perception of counterfeits on online platforms was highest for apparel at 71 per cent, followed by consumer electronics at 70 per cent and healthcare products at 60 per cent. In contrast, local retail stores were perceived as the main source for counterfeit agrochemicals by 75 per cent of respondents and healthcare products by 63 per cent.

ASPA president Ankit Gupta noted that while brand managements previously hesitated to discuss counterfeit issues, companies are now increasingly willing to acknowledge the problem and launch consumer awareness campaigns. International Consumer Policy Expert Bejon Kumar Misra emphasised that counterfeiting is a critical consumer protection issue, urging that consumers be equipped with accessible tools to identify and report suspicious products.