What the broader research shows
For people eating a reasonably varied diet, large studies have generally found limited evidence that multivitamins meaningfully reduce disease risk or improve outcomes — they're not the safety net many assume them to be.
Where they genuinely make sense
Restrictive diets, certain medical conditions affecting nutrient absorption, pregnancy (with specific prenatal formulations), or a diagnosed deficiency are situations where targeted supplementation, ideally guided by a blood test, has real value.
The 'insurance policy' mindset, examined
Taking a multivitamin as a blanket insurance policy against poor eating isn't an evidence-based strategy — actually improving diet quality addresses the underlying issue far more effectively than a pill covering some of the gaps.
A more targeted approach
A blood test identifying specific deficiencies (commonly vitamin D or B12 in Indian populations) allows for targeted supplementation of what's actually needed, rather than a broad-spectrum guess.