India's 20th Livestock Census (2019) counted approximately 535.78 million livestock, a 4.6 percent increase from the 19th Census. Total cattle population stands at 192.49 million, of which 142.11 million are female cattle. Buffalo population is 109.85 million, making India the world's largest holder. Goat population is 148.88 million, sheep 74.26 million and pig 9.06 million. Indigenous cattle breeds number 43 registered breeds as of 2024, with Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Rathi and Kankrej being the most widely farmed dairy types. Crossbred cattle (HF, Jersey crosses) number approximately 26.42 million and account for a disproportionate share of commercial milk production.

India produced 230.58 million tonnes of milk in 2023–24, the highest ever and a 3.78 percent increase over the previous year, according to DAHD. This makes India the world's largest milk producer, accounting for approximately 24 percent of global output. Per capita milk availability rose to 471 grams per day in 2023–24, up from 394 grams in 2013–14. Uttar Pradesh is the largest milk-producing state (32.49 MT), followed by Rajasthan (25.41 MT), Madhya Pradesh (15.35 MT), Gujarat (14.46 MT) and Andhra Pradesh (14.00 MT). Organised sector handles roughly 30 percent of milk; the remaining 70 percent moves through informal channels, creating a large market inefficiency that digital platforms like Pashushala are positioned to reduce.

Livestock contributes approximately 4.9 percent of total GDP and 28.87 percent of Agricultural GDP at current prices (2021–22), according to DAHD. The sector provides livelihood to approximately 55 percent of India's rural population in some form, and is the primary income source for 100–105 million rural households. Total value of output from livestock sector was estimated at ₹13.15 lakh crore in 2021–22. Cattle and buffalo together account for roughly 65 percent of livestock output value. The sector has grown at a CAGR of approximately 7.9 percent over the last five years, outpacing overall agricultural growth, driven by rising milk demand, organised dairy investment and improved animal husbandry practices. Government investment through schemes like Rashtriya Gokul Mission, NLM and AHIDF is further accelerating this growth.

Uttar Pradesh has India's largest cattle and buffalo population. Rajasthan leads in goat and sheep numbers. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana together hold the largest sheep population in peninsular India. West Bengal has the highest density of small ruminants per household due to Black Bengal goat prevalence. Haryana and Punjab have the highest per-animal milk productivity, driven by Murrah buffalo concentration and commercial dairy infrastructure. Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha have significant cattle populations but lower productivity due to feed and management gaps — representing the highest potential for improvement through better breeds and practices. Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka have strong commercial dairy sectors with large cooperative networks (Amul, KMF, Mahanand).

India's organised livestock market is estimated at over ₹3 lakh crore and growing at 8–10 percent annually, driven by milk, meat, wool and draught power demand. The unorganised livestock trading market — mandis, village haats and private dealer networks — handles an estimated 60–70 million animal transactions annually, with significant price inefficiency and fraud risk. Digital livestock marketplaces are estimated to handle under 1 percent of this volume, representing a massive addressable market. Cattle feed market is valued at approximately ₹50,000 crore. Livestock insurance penetration remains under 5 percent of insurable livestock, despite government premium subsidy schemes covering up to 50 percent of premium cost. Veterinary services market is estimated at ₹8,000–10,000 crore annually.