India Issues First PRAMAAN Certificates

India issued its first PRAMAAN certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) on 29 September 2026. The certificates were handed over to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation and a bamboo farmer from Odisha.

Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme

The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme was launched in December 2023 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The scheme is branded as PRAMAAN, which is used for certification of forest and wood-based value chains in India.

PRAMAAN is linked with sustainable forest management, agroforestry, and responsible practices in wood-based industries. The scheme is also aligned with the National Working Plan Code 2023 and international market requirements such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation.

Types of Certification under PRAMAAN

The scheme provides three certification categories. Forest Management Certification applies to forests and plantations managed under approved standards. Trees Outside Forests Management Certification applies to trees grown outside recorded forest areas, including farm forestry and agroforestry systems. Chain of Custody Management Certification applies to tracking certified material through processing and trade.

Andhra Pradesh is set to become the first state to receive PRAMAAN certification for environmentally sustainable cultivation practices. The certification process covered about 33,000 hectares of eucalyptus plantations managed by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation in Satyavedu, Kavali, Nellore, and Naidupeta.

Coverage and Market Linkages

As of 28 February 2026, pre-audits under IFWCS-PRAMAAN covered 7.76 lakh hectares under Forest Management certification and 10.78 thousand hectares under Trees Outside Forests certification. The certification framework is intended to support market access for certified forest produce and wood products.

Important Facts for Exams

• PRAMAAN is the brand name of the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched IFWCS in December 2023.
• PRAMAAN has three certification types: Forest Management, Trees Outside Forests Management, and Chain of Custody Management.
• The European Union Deforestation Regulation is one of the international regulations linked with the scheme.

Exam-Relevant Static Points

Forest Management Certification is used for forests and plantations under defined management standards. Trees Outside Forests includes trees on farms, field boundaries, and agroforestry lands.