A Center for Global Development study co-authored by ex-CEA Arvind Subramanian estimated up to 49 lakh 'excess deaths' from the start of COVID-19 to June 2021, calling COVID-19 "India's worst human tragedy since partition". 'Excess deaths' mean additional deaths recorded during COVID-19, as compared to a corresponding period in pre-pandemic years. India's official death toll stands at 4,18,480.