Two hormones, not one
Tirzepatide is the first approved medicine to activate both GIP and GLP-1 receptors (the two incretin hormones your gut releases after eating) rather than GLP-1 alone.
Medical information · Doctor-reviewed
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) in India: what it is, how it works, and who it is for
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly, prescription-only injection that activates two natural gut-hormone receptors (GIP and GLP-1) to reduce appetite, improve blood-sugar control and support significant weight loss. In India it is sold as Mounjaro and is approved for type 2 diabetes and for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition. This page explains the evidence, the risks and the eligibility criteria. Whether tirzepatide is right for you is a decision for a doctor, not a checkout page.
Prescription-only medicineReviewed by NMC-registered doctorsEvidence cited belowNo purchase on this page
Availability in India
Is tirzepatide available in India?
Direct answer
Yes. Tirzepatide is approved in India and marketed as Mounjaro by Eli Lilly [4]. It is a prescription-only medicine: it is approved for adults with type 2 diabetes, and for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27) with at least one weight-related condition. It cannot be bought without a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner, which is why this page has no buy button. A Karespot doctor can assess whether it is clinically appropriate for you in a ₹599 online consultation.
How does tirzepatide work? In plain language
Tirzepatide belongs to the incretin family of medicines. Here is what it actually does in the body, without the jargon.
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Quieter appetite
It acts on the appetite centres of the brain, so you feel full sooner and stay full longer. The food noise softens rather than being fought with willpower.
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Steadier blood sugar
Slower gastric emptying and an improved insulin response smooth out glucose spikes, which is why tirzepatide is also a type 2 diabetes treatment.
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Weekly, and doctor-titrated
One subcutaneous injection a week, started at the lowest dose and stepped up gradually by your doctor so your body can adjust.
How GLP-1 works
How GLP-1 helps you reduce weight
GLP-1 agonists such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) work by mimicking a hormone your gut already releases. Here is the chain, from the first bite to a quieter appetite.
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In the gut
You eat, and GLP-1 is released
Food reaching your small intestine triggers the release of GLP-1, a hormone your body already makes after every meal. Tirzepatide mimics that same signal, and adds a second one, GIP, alongside it.
What happens
- Food enters the small intestine
- GLP-1 is released into the bloodstream
- Tirzepatide amplifies the same signal
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In the body
Digestion slows, blood sugar steadies
Your stomach empties more gradually, so sugar enters the blood as a trickle rather than a spike. GLP-1 also suppresses glucagon (the hormone that raises blood sugar) and improves your insulin response.
What happens
- Slower gastric emptying
- Fewer post-meal sugar spikes
- Glucagon suppressed, insulin response improved
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In the brain
Fullness registers, and you eat less
GLP-1 acts on the appetite centres of the brain. You feel full sooner and stay full longer, so intake falls as a result of the chain above, rather than through willpower.
What happens
- Appetite signalling shifts toward fullness
- Satiety lasts longer between meals
- Food noise softens instead of being resisted
What are the benefits of Mounjaro?
Swipe through the approved and studied benefits. Which of them apply to you depends on your diagnosis and the indication you are prescribed under. Numbered references link to the sources at the end of this page.
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Meaningful weight reduction
In SURMOUNT-1, adults lost an average of 15–20.9% of body weight over 72 weeks depending on dose, alongside structured lifestyle support [1].
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Better blood sugar & A1C
Helps improve blood glucose and lower A1C when used along with diet and exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes [4].
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Cardiovascular protection
Lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events (stroke, heart attack or death) in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease [4].
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Kidney outcomes
Lowers the risk of worsening kidney disease and kidney failure in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have chronic kidney disease [4].
The evidence
What do the clinical trials actually show?
The results below come from randomised controlled trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Each stat links to its source. They were achieved with structured lifestyle support alongside the medicine. Averages are not promises: results vary with your starting point, dose, adherence and support.
20.9%
average weight reduction at the highest dose over 72 weeks, against 3.1% on placebo.
SURMOUNT-1 · NEJM 2022 [1]
2,539
adults with obesity or overweight studied across the 72-week SURMOUNT-1 trial.
SURMOUNT-1 · NEJM 2022 [1]
2 receptors
GIP + GLP-1: beat semaglutide 1 mg head-to-head on HbA1c and weight in type 2 diabetes.
SURPASS-2 · NEJM 2021 [2]Medical information verified by Dr. Prakrati Garg · Medical Content Author, Karespot · 26 August 2026
Eligibility
Who can be considered for tirzepatide in India?
These are the approved criteria. Meeting them is the starting point of a medical assessment, not a guarantee of a prescription.
30+
BMI of 30 or above
The obesity threshold at which tirzepatide is approved for chronic weight management in India [4].
27+
BMI of 27 with a weight-related condition
Overweight with at least one condition such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnoea [4].
Your doctor also screens your medical history for contraindications (including pregnancy, type 1 diabetes, and a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2) before any prescription decision. If tirzepatide isn't right for you, we will tell you. Check your BMI using Indian cut-offs.
Where do the thresholds sit on the BMI scale?
The eligibility thresholds for tirzepatide use standard BMI. Indian cut-offs, which flag risk earlier, are marked for context, because metabolic risk in Indian adults begins at lower BMIs.
Under 23 · healthy range
23–24.9 · overweight (Indian cut-offs)
25+ · obesity (Indian cut-offs)
Markers · approved treatment thresholds
BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis. It can misread muscular or older bodies, and your doctor weighs it alongside waist, history and metabolic markers. Zone boundaries follow the Endocrine Society of India's 2025 guidance [3].
Your next step
Find out whether tirzepatide is right for you
One call with an NMC-registered Internal Medicine doctor tells you whether you actually meet the criteria above.
Safety, honestly
What are the side effects of Mounjaro? The actual numbers
These are the gastrointestinal side-effect rates reported across the 5–15 mg doses in SURMOUNT-1, the 72-week trial of 2,539 adults, shown against placebo, because context matters [1]. Most were mild to moderate, occurred mainly during dose escalation, and settled with time.
Side effect
How common on tirzepatide (5–15 mg)
On placebo
NauseaMost common; strongest during dose increases
25–33%vs ~10%
Diarrhoea
19–23%vs ~7%
Constipation
12–17%vs ~6%
Vomiting
8–12%vs ~2%
Dyspepsia (indigestion)
~9–10%vs ~4%
Rates as reported in Jastreboff AM, et al., SURMOUNT-1, New England Journal of Medicine, 2022 [1]; ranges span the three maintenance doses. · Read the trial
Rare but serious risks (pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and severe allergic reactions) are screened for against your personal and family history before any prescription [4]. Tirzepatide is contraindicated with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Know more at Lilly.
Using Mounjaro
How do you inject Mounjaro?
Direct answer
Mounjaro is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) once a week, on the same day each week, into the abdomen or the thigh, or the upper arm if someone else is administering it. It can be taken with or without food, and at any time of day. Rotate the site every week rather than injecting the same spot twice in a row [4].
The practical rules your Kare Team will walk you through on your first injection:
- Same day each week
- Abdomen or thigh
- Upper arm only if someone else injects
- Rotate the site weekly
- At least a finger-width from the last injection
- At least 5 cm from the belly button
- Store at 2–8°C, never frozen
Where to inject: abdomen or thigh (upper arm if administered by someone else). Divide the area into four sections and use a different one each week, keeping each injection at least a finger-width from the last and 5 cm from the belly button.
Your prescribing doctor and Kare Team will demonstrate the injection technique before your first dose. Never change your dose, timing or injection routine without speaking to your doctor first.
Dosing
What is the typical Mounjaro titration plan?
Mounjaro is never started at a treatment dose. The standard schedule in the prescribing information [4] begins at 2.5 mg once weekly for four weeks, moves to 5 mg, and then, only if needed, climbs in 2.5 mg steps with a minimum of four weeks on each dose, up to a maximum of 15 mg. This is the typical plan; yours may look different.
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2.5 mg
Weeks 1–4
The initiation dose: lets your body adjust; not meant as a long-term treatment dose on its own.
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5 mg
Weeks 5–8
The first step-up, if the starting dose is well tolerated.
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7.5 mg
If needed
Increases happen only in 2.5 mg steps, with at least 4 weeks on each dose.
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10 mg
If needed
Many people never go beyond this. The right dose is the one that works for you.
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12.5 mg
If needed
Considered only where response and tolerance justify it.
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15 mg
Maximum
The highest approved dose: the ceiling, not the goal.
Pricing
Check your eligibility
How much does Mounjaro (tirzepatide) cost in India?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) costs ₹13,125 to ₹25,781 per month (MRP) in India as of August 2026, depending on the dose. Each KwikPen contains four weekly doses (a one-month supply) and the figures below are the maximum retail price (MRP) per pen. The pharmacy price you actually pay may be lower than MRP.
| Dose (weekly) | MRP (one-month pen) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mgStarting dose | ₹13,125 | Every course starts here: the first 4 weeks, while your body adjusts. |
| 5 mgStep-up dose | ₹16,406 | The usual second step, if the starting dose is tolerated well. |
| 7.5 mgMaintenance | ₹20,625 | Stepped up only if needed. Many people stay at lower doses. |
| 10 mgMaintenance | ₹20,625 | Same MRP as the 7.5 mg pen. |
| 12.5 mgHigher maintenance | ₹25,781 | Reserved for people who need it and tolerate it. |
| 15 mgHighest dose | ₹25,781 | The maximum approved dose: same MRP as the 12.5 mg pen. |
MRPs are current for India as of August 2026 and are subject to change. Tirzepatide is prescription-only: your dose is decided by your doctor based on your response and tolerance, never by price, and dispensing requires a valid prescription. Start with a ₹599 doctor consultation to find out whether treatment is right for you at all.
Who can prescribe
Who can prescribe Mounjaro in India?
In India, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is prescribed only by specialist doctors: internal medicine physicians and endocrinologists. A pharmacy can dispense it solely against a valid prescription from such a specialist.
MD
Internal Medicine physicians
Specialists in adult medicine (MD, Internal Medicine), including the Karespot doctors who assess and prescribe for every patient on this programme.
DM
Endocrinologists
Hormone and metabolism super-specialists (DM, Endocrinology), typically involved in complex diabetes or endocrine cases.
No gym, wellness clinic, influencer or over-the-counter sale can legitimately supply tirzepatide. If it is offered to you without a specialist consultation and prescription, treat that as a red flag and walk away. Every Karespot prescription is written by an NMC-registered Internal Medicine doctor after a full assessment. Meet our medical team.
Your doctors
The specialist doctors behind your tirzepatide assessment
Every Karespot patient is seen by an NMC-registered doctor with specific experience in metabolic medicine, listed with their State Medical Council. Your doctor stays involved from your first consultation to the end of your programme.
Use the arrows, swipe or scroll to meet all 3 prescribers
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NMC Registered Practitioner
Hormonal health, PMOS (PCOS) and metabolic disordersDr. Shivani Jain
MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine)
Internal medicine physician focused on hormonal and metabolic health. She has helped hundreds of patients manage PMOS (PCOS), thyroid dysfunction and insulin resistance with an empathy-led, evidence-based approach.
- Hormonal & metabolic health
- PMOS (PCOS) & thyroid
- Empathy-led consultations
Full profile pageRead Jain's full profile
Registration: Uttarakhand Medical Council Registered Practitioner: 32876
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NMC Registered Practitioner
Metabolic disorders and diabetesDr. Jainendra Kumar
MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine)
Professor of Medicine with deep clinical experience in diabetes and metabolic medicine. He treats type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity-related metabolic disorders through personalised, evidence-based plans.
- Professor of Medicine
- Diabetes & metabolic care
- Online across India
Full profile pageRead Kumar's full profile
Registration: Uttarakhand Medical Council Registered Practitioner: 3461
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NMC Registered Practitioner
Lifestyle medicine, metabolic health and diabetesDr. Ratnil Joshi
MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine)
Internal medicine physician specialising in metabolic health, weight management, diabetes and lifestyle medicine. He treats root causes (insulin resistance, hormonal imbalance and inflammation) rather than symptoms alone.
- Metabolic & lifestyle medicine
- Treats root causes
- Autoimmune conditions
Full profile pageRead Joshi's full profile
Registration: Uttarakhand Medical Council Registered Practitioner: 10178
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Speak to a Karespot doctor today
Book in two minutes. A straight answer on eligibility on the same call, including a no, where treatment isn't right for you.
Book your consultation (₹599)About tirzepatide
About Mounjaro and how GLP-1 helps you reduce weight
About Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Mounjaro™ (tirzepatide) represents a breakthrough in chronic weight management and metabolic health. Unlike traditional single-hormone therapies, Mounjaro is the world's first and only approved dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. By mimicking the action of two naturally occurring incretin hormones, Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), it delivers superior efficacy in both weight reduction and glycemic control compared to standard GLP-1 medications [2].
In India, Mounjaro is approved for use in adults with Type 2 Diabetes and for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) or overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m²) with weight-related comorbidities [4].
Mounjaro details
Dose: 1 pen contains 4 doses, each dose to be administered weekly or as per physician's guidance
Active Ingredient: Tirzepatide
Application: To be injected subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm
Manufacturer: Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt Ltd
Benefit of Mounjaro
- Helps improve blood sugar (glucose) and lower A1C when used along with diet and exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events (stroke, heart attack, or death) in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease.
- Lowers the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have chronic kidney disease.
How to use Mounjaro
Mounjaro can be injected into the abdomen or thigh. Choose an injection area that feels most comfortable. Rotate the injection spot every week by splitting the selected area into four sections and using a different section each time. Place each new injection at least a finger-width away from the previous one, and if injecting into the abdomen, keep the injection at least 5 cm away from the belly button.
Support & safety
What's included, and safety in detail
Information verified by
What is included in the price?
- Consultation with a qualified Karespot doctor to assess your health profile and eligibility for prescription weight-loss treatment.
- Ongoing medical support to help you prevent and manage side effects safely.
- Daily check-ins from the Kare Team to track side effects, progress, nutrition, and sleep.
- Practical coaching to build sustainable habits around food, movement, and recovery.
- Discreet, fast home delivery: packed for privacy and shipped to your doorstep.
Why do I need to pay before I speak to the doctor?
Before you proceed to checkout, please complete the eligibility check to confirm that you meet the basic criteria for the programme.
Once you move to payment, it means you've reviewed the eligibility requirements and would like to reserve your place in our limited-size programme. After payment, our clinical team will complete a medical review to confirm suitability.
If you are found ineligible during the medical review, we will refund your payment in full. Refunds are typically processed within 3–5 business days.
What if I am ineligible or I change my mind during the consultation?
If you are found ineligible during the medical review, we will refund your payment in full. Refunds are typically processed within 3–5 business days.
In case you change your mind post consultation with the doctor, a nominal consultation fee of INR 500 will be charged and the balance amount will be refunded in 3–5 days.
Safety & Contraindications
- Do not use if you are allergic to Tirzepatide or any ingredients.
- Contraindicated for patients with Type 1 diabetes, severe kidney/liver disease, or a history of thyroid cancer (MTC/MEN 2).
- Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medications/supplements.
- Not suitable for individuals under 18 years of age.
- Exercise caution if you have a history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or severe digestive issues.
Common side effects of Mounjaro
- indigestion
- stomach pain
- dizziness
- allergic reactions
- low blood pressure
- feeling tired
- bloating
- burping
- gas
- reflux or heartburn
- injection site reactions
- an increased level of some pancreatic enzymes as shown in blood tests (such as lipase)
- increased calcitonin levels
Safety advice
- Alcohol: CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
- Pregnancy: CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
- Breastfeeding: CAUTION
- Driving: SAFE
- Kidney: SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
- Liver: SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
The medical information on this page is written and verified by the Karespot clinical content team. It provides general information and is not a substitute for a consultation. Eligibility and treatment decisions are always made by your doctor. Meet our medical team.
Using Mounjaro · FAQ
Using Mounjaro: frequently asked questions
Information verified by
Do I need a prescription for Mounjaro?
Yes, Mounjaro is a prescription drug in India. It can only be dispensed against a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner. A Karespot doctor can assess your eligibility in a ₹599 online consultation.
How long does Mounjaro take to work?
Mounjaro starts acting in the body soon after the first injection, though some people may not feel clear effects immediately. Dose levels are usually increased step-by-step over time so the body can adjust and to help lower the chance of troublesome side effects that can be more common at higher doses.
Weight-loss expectations
When it comes to weight loss, some people feel appetite reduction early, while others only notice meaningful changes after moving to higher doses. Weight-loss speed varies widely between individuals and can be influenced by food choices, age, activity level, sleep/stress, and other medicines, so there isn't a single "expected" weekly rate that fits everyone.
What is the difference between Mounjaro and Ozempic?
Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist medicine that contains semaglutide.
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which activates GLP-1 and GIP receptors (often described as a "dual" GLP-1/GIP agonist) [2].
How long does Mounjaro stay in the body?
Mounjaro's half-life is about 5 days. If you stop taking it, the medicine should be gone from your body in about 30 days [4].
How should I store Mounjaro?
Mounjaro should not be frozen or exposed to direct light.
The medicine needs to be kept in the fridge at temperatures between 2°C to 8°C.
If your medicine has been kept out of the fridge for longer than 30 days, the medication needs to be thrown away [4].
How do I increase my dose?
Start with the lowest dosage available, i.e. 2.5 mg once a week, and follow the advice shared by the doctor in the Kare team around dosage. Dose increases are a medical decision. See the typical titration plan above, and never adjust your dose without your doctor.
What if I miss my dose?
To keep weekly injectable medicines working consistently, take your dose on the same day each week whenever possible. If you forget a dose, the next step depends on how much time has passed.
Missed-dose guidance
- If you remember within 4 days (96 hours) of the missed dose: take the missed dose as soon as you can, then continue with your usual once-weekly schedule.
- If more than 4 days have passed: skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your regular scheduled day.
Important safety note
- Do not take two doses within 3 days (72 hours) of each other.
- If you're unsure about timing (or you have missed more than one dose), contact your prescribing clinician for individualized advice.
Can I switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro?
Yes, you can switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro; however, we recommend 10 days between your last Wegovy dose and your first Mounjaro dose, and then continue once weekly. For more detail contact our Kareteam.
Still have a question?
Speak to a Karespot doctor and get a clear answer about whether tirzepatide is right for you.
Check your eligibilityThe medical information on this page is written and verified by the Karespot clinical content team. It provides general information about tirzepatide and weight management and is not a substitute for a consultation. Eligibility and treatment decisions are always made by your doctor. Meet our medical team.
Next step · online · doctor-led
Ready to speak to a doctor?
Karespot does not sell tirzepatide from this page. If a doctor finds it clinically appropriate for you, it is prescribed and dispensed through a licensed partner pharmacy inside a supervised programme, with dietician, psychologist and coaching support around it.
Treatment is recommended only where clinically appropriate, and every cost is shown transparently before you commit.
- Prescription decisions made by a doctor, not a checkout page
- Contraindications screened before anything is recommended
- An honest no if treatment isn't right for you
Evidence
References and footnotes
Every clinical claim and statistic on this page is traceable to one of the sources below (the numbered markers [1]–[4] through the page point here) and each reference links on to the original. Statistics are reported as published.
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Read the trial
Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). New England Journal of Medicine, 2022;387:205–216.
Source for the weight-reduction figures and the gastrointestinal side-effect rates shown in the table; ranges span the 5, 10 and 15 mg doses over 72 weeks in 2,539 adults.
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Read the trial
Frías JP, et al. Tirzepatide versus semaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-2). New England Journal of Medicine, 2021;385:503–515.
Source for the head-to-head comparison with semaglutide 1 mg in type 2 diabetes.
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Read the guideline
Endocrine Society of India. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Obesity in India, 2025 update.
Source for the Indian BMI cut-offs (overweight ≥ 23, obesity ≥ 25) shown on the BMI scale, and context for obesity management in the Indian setting.
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Manufacturer information
Eli Lilly and Company (India). Mounjaro (tirzepatide): official product and prescribing information.
Manufacturer of tirzepatide; source for approved indications and benefits, administration, injection technique, storage, the standard titration schedule and safety information.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Treatment is recommended only where it is clinically appropriate for you, following an assessment by a registered medical practitioner. Any prescription-only treatment is provided solely under a valid prescription and active medical supervision, and all products are supplied in compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Individual results vary and depend on your starting point, medical history and adherence to the programme. Prices shown are the published maximum retail prices in India at the time of review and are subject to change.
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