India's federal minister for chemicals and fertilizers D V Sadananda Gowda Thursday tested positive for COVID-19.

The 67-year-old Gowda took to social media networking platform to announce he has contracted the infection and urged those who came in contact with him in the past few days to get themselves tested.

"After initial symptoms of COVID-19, I got myself tested and the report came positive. I have isolated myself. I request everyone who has come in my contact to be careful and follow the protocol. Stay safe," the minister wrote on twitter.

India is in the grip of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the cases are increasing with each passing day. On Thursday federal health ministry said the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 8,958,483 and death toll rose to 131,578.