More than eight million COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered across the country in 24 hours, marking the highest single-day coverage till now, which is also Day One of the government's new inoculation policy rollout. As per data on the government's CoWin website, a total of 8,096,417 vaccine shots were administered on Monday till 8:30 PM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate the vaccine recipients and said record-breaking vaccination numbers are "gladdening."

"The vaccine remains our strongest weapon to fight COVID-19. Congratulations to those who got vaccinated and kudos to all the front-line warriors working hard to ensure so many citizens got the vaccine. Well done India!" PM Modi wrote on Twitter.

The Modi government started providing vaccines free of charge to all above 18 from Monday and took back control of vaccination from states. The union government is currently buying 75 per cent of the vaccines produced by companies, including 25 per cent assigned to states.

Private hospitals will continue to procure the remaining 25 per cent and inoculate those willing to pay for their jabs, as per Modi's announcement earlier this month.

"Central Government is beginning the 'Free Vaccination For All campaign' for every Indian from today. The biggest beneficiary of this phase of India's vaccination drive shall be the poor, the middle class and the youth of the country. All of us should pledge to get ourselves vaccinated. Together we will defeat COVID-19," Modi tweeted earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, India has reported 53,256 daily new cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest in almost three months.

The country continues to report a sustained slide in the daily new COVID-19 cases.

Less than 100,000 daily new cases have been reported for 14 continuous days now.

Recovery Rate increases to 96.49%; Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 3.21%.

Daily positivity rate at 2.56%, less than 5% for 15 consecutive days, IBNS said, (SAM)