New Delhi, May 8 -- New government data released after an unusual delay has finally given official estimates that could help paint the most definitive picture that was ever possible of the likely human toll of the covid-19 second wave in 2021. That year, nearly 2.1 million more Indians died than was expected based on past trends, show Mint calculations from the demographic survey Sample Registration System (SRS), whose report the government published on 7 May.

Between 2018 and 2020, around 8.1 million Indians are estimated to have lost their lives annually. But in 2021, this figure reached 10.2 million. The difference is called 'excess deaths', a crucial metric that becomes relevant in times of large-scale unexpected loss of life. Of cou...