Overview: The Nagoya Protocol requires Parties to submit periodic national reports. On 27 February 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), together with the National Biodiversity Authority, submitted India’s First National Report (NR1) on the implementation of the ABS framework to the Secretariat of the CBD. The report covers 1 November 2017 to 31 December 2025 and aligns with Target 13 of India’s updated NBSAP.
Key Developments (2017‑2025)
- Issued 12,830 ABS approvals: 5,913 by the NBA for Section 3(2) entities (research, bio‑survey, commercial use, IP‑rights) and 6,917 by State Biodiversity Boards/Union Territory Biodiversity Councils for Section 7 entities (commercial utilisation).
- Published 3,556 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) on the ABS Clearing‑House, accounting for over 60 % of the global total.
- Mobilised ₹216.31 crore (USD 28.04 million) through NBA approvals; ₹139.69 crore (USD 16.83 million) disbursed to benefit claimers such as BMCs, farmers and traditional knowledge holders.
- Generated ₹51.96 crore (USD 6.56 million) from Section 7 commercial utilisation approvals by State Boards.
- Incorporated 395 non‑monetary benefits (capacity building, technology transfer, collaborative research) in NBA approvals.
- Received 41 declarations for foreign‑sourced bio‑resources as per Rules 18 of the 2024 BD Rules and Section 36A of the 2002 Act.
- Conducted 2,56,393 trainings through 3,724 workshops and over 600 capacity‑building initiatives nationwide.
Important Institutional Framework
India’s ABS framework operates under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, reinforced by the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024 and the ABS Regulations, 2025. The three‑tier structure comprises the NBA, State Biodiversity Boards/Union Territory Biodiversity Councils, and over 2,76,653 BMCs at the local level.
UPSC Relevance
Understanding the Nagoya Protocol and India’s ABS regime is essential for:
- GS III: International environmental agreements, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable use of natural resources.
- GS II: Role of statutory bodies like the NBA and State Boards in implementing international treaties.
- GS IV: Ethical considerations in benefit sharing with indigenous and local communities.
Way Forward
To consolidate its leadership, India should:
- Strengthen monitoring mechanisms for foreign‑sourced bio‑resources and ensure timely reporting.
- Enhance capacity building for BMCs to improve community‑level benefit realization.
- Promote greater private‑sector participation while safeguarding traditional knowledge.
- Leverage the extensive database of IRCCs to attract foreign investment in bio‑innovation.
Overall, the submission of NR1 underscores India’s robust legal‑institutional framework, transparent reporting, and commitment to equitable benefit sharing, positioning the country as a global exemplar under the CBD.