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An estimated fifty million people suffer from Epilepsy.Around the world, epidemiological data are obtained through population-based studies, where cases are ascertained either usingrecords or, more often, by door-to-door surveys.The prevalence rates (PR) and annual incidence rates (AIR) of epilepsy vary between 380-1770 per 100,000 and 15-73 per 100,000, respectively.The all-cause standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of epilepsy ranges from 1.5 to 4.0.All the above rates are higher in rural populations and in low socio-economic status communities.In these latter communities, the "treatment gap" (the proportion of epilepsy sufferers who never receive anticonvulsants) may be as high as 90%.Based on the meta-analysis of 20 Indian studies, the PR of epilepsy is 533 (95% CI, 425-690) per 100,000.Studies on incidence and mortality of epilepsy in India are scarce.From the available few studies, the AIR is 27-50 per 100,000 and the all-cause SMR of epilepsy 2.58."Hot water epilepsy" and "epilepsy with neuroimaging evidence of single small enhancing lesion (SSEL)" are the two distinct forms of this disorder seen in India.The former type existsexclusively in South India.The latter type is common all over the country and comprises 26-50% of all partial seizures.Pathologically, neurocysticercosis is the commonest cause for SSEL.High treatment gap in epilepsy exist in the remote rural communities.Besides ignorance, strong social prejudice and dependence onnative herbal drugs are the causes behind the high treatment gap.