New Delhi:  An estimated 19 million animals would be saved annually courtesy new recommendations calling for an end to animal dissection and experimentation in universities and colleges, animal rights body PETA said.

The guidelines came from the University Grants Commission (UGC) -- the apex regulatory body for higher education in India after a campaign by PETA India.

According to UGC's website, it has published official recommendations calling for an end to animal dissection and animal experimentation for university and college zoology and life sciences courses in a phased manner

The recommendations would soon be sent to teaching institutions across India for implementation, it added.

"The UGC's decision follows PETA's extensive campaign, which included letters to the chair and expert committee of the UGC, petitions from students and other caring individuals asking for a dissection ban," said a statement by PETA India.

"Soon undergraduate students will no longer be required to dissect animals and the process would be optional for postgraduate students," it added.

The recommendations also call for modern modes of learning like software to replace the use of animals for experimentation.

"By eliminating animal dissection and phasing out animal experimentation, Indian's top university governing body is making sure that students use the most modern-- computer models over animals", said PETA India science policy advisor Chaitanya Koduri.