India Submits First National Report on Nagoya Protocol Implementation

India has submitted its First National Report (NR1) on the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on 27 February 2026. The report was prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with the National Biodiversity Authority. It covers the period from 1 November 2017 to 31 December 2025 and outlines India’s progress in implementing the protocol and strengthening biodiversity governance. The report also contributes to Target 13 of India’s updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

Legal framework supporting ABS in India

India’s Access and Benefit Sharing framework operates under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. It is supported by the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024 and the Access and Benefit Sharing Regulations, 2025. Implementation follows a three-tier institutional structure consisting of the National Biodiversity Authority at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards or Union Territory Biodiversity Councils at the state level, and Biodiversity Management Committees at the local level. More than 2,76,653 Biodiversity Management Committees have been established across the country, strengthening community participation in biodiversity governance.

Approvals and compliance during 2017–2025

During the reporting period, India issued a total of 12,830 ABS approvals. Among them, 5,913 approvals were granted by the National Biodiversity Authority for entities under Section 3(2) of the Biological Diversity Act covering research, bio-survey, commercial utilisation, transfer of research results, intellectual property rights and third-party transfers. Additionally, 6,917 approvals were issued by State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils for commercial utilisation by Indian entities under Section 7 of the Act.

Financial benefits and community participation

The implementation of the ABS framework generated significant financial benefits. A total of ₹216.31 crore was mobilised through approvals granted by the National Biodiversity Authority, of which ₹139.69 crore has been distributed to benefit claimers such as Biodiversity Management Committees, local communities, farmers and traditional knowledge holders. In addition, ₹51.96 crore was generated through approvals issued by State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils for commercial utilisation of biological resources.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity dealing with access to genetic resources and benefit sharing.
• India implements ABS provisions through the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• More than 2,76,653 Biodiversity Management Committees have been established across India.
• India has published 3,556 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance on the ABS Clearing-House.

Capacity building and global leadership

India has also undertaken extensive awareness and training programmes to strengthen implementation of the ABS framework. Around 2,56,393 individuals were trained through 3,724 workshops and programmes, supported by more than 600 nationwide capacity-building initiatives. The country has also issued 3,556 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance on the ABS Clearing-House, representing over 60 per cent of the global total. With a strong legal framework and active community participation, India has emerged as a leading country in implementing the Nagoya Protocol.