NBA receives Rs 9.68 crore under Access and Benefit Sharing Framework during April–September 2026

Environment & Biodiversity · 9 October 2026 · Based on PIB (original report)

Must read — 2 past UPSC questions on this theme (Prelims GS-1 2023, Mains GS-3 2018); also both a Prelims fact and a Mains debate.

2-minute summary

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) collected Rs 9.68 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework during the first half of the 2026-27 fiscal year (April–September 2026). The ABS framework is a key mechanism under India's Biological Diversity Act, 2002, designed to ensure that benefits derived from the commercial utilization of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge are shared equitably with local communities. This system aligns with India's commitments under the Nagoya Protocol of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). While the collection highlights the operationalization of the framework, the ABS mechanism continues to navigate structural changes following the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, which exempted domestic AYUSH practitioners and simplified compliance to promote ease of doing business, sparking ongoing debates regarding the financial protection of indigenous conservers.

Why it's in the news

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) announced the collection of Rs 9.68 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework during the first half of the 2026-27 fiscal year (April–September 2026), reflecting the ongoing financial mobilization for biodiversity conservation.

Facts to remember

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) collected Rs 9.68 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework during the first half of the 2026-27 fiscal year (April–September 2026).
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is a statutory autonomous body established in 2003 to implement the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
The NBA is headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The ABS framework in India is aligned with the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing, a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 exempts registered AYUSH practitioners and local people accessing codified traditional knowledge from paying ABS fees.

Background and context

India is one of the world's 17 megadiverse nations, possessing rich biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. To protect this heritage and comply with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) of 1992, India enacted the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and established the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) in 2003. The Act operates through a decentralized three-tier structure: the NBA at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) at the state level, and local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local body level. A core pillar of this framework is the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism, which ensures that commercial users of biological resources share financial or non-financial benefits with the local communities who conserve these resources. However, the ABS framework has faced implementation challenges, leading to the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, which decriminalized offenses and exempted domestic AYUSH industries to encourage ease of doing business, though critics argue this dilutes the rights of indigenous conservers.

Constitutional provisions

Article 48A — Directive Principle of State Policy directing the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
Article 51A(g) — Fundamental Duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.

Committees and reports

Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 — Examined the amendments to the 2002 Act, balancing the interests of AYUSH practitioners, foreign investments, and local communities regarding ABS.

Government schemes

National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) — The policy framework designed to integrate biodiversity conservation into national planning and implement the Biological Diversity Act.

International organisations

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) — The parent international treaty that mandates conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits (ABS).
Nagoya Protocol — A supplementary agreement to the CBD that provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of the ABS mandate.

Previous UPSC questions on this theme

Prelims GS-1 2023 — Consider the following statements : 1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol. 2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Mains GS-3 2018 — How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna?

Mains practice: Evaluate the role of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) in implementing the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework in India. How do the recent amendments of 2023 impact the rights of local communities and indigenous conservers?

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, is India’s apex statutory body regulating access to biological resources. During the first half of FY 2026-27, the NBA collected ₹9.68 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, highlighting its active role in operationalizing the Nagoya Protocol's mandate of equitable benefit sharing.

• Legal & Institutional Role of NBA: The NBA acts as a regulatory gatekeeper under Sections 3, 4, and 6 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, approving access to bio-resources for commercial utilization or intellectual property rights (IPR). It manages the National Biodiversity Fund, channeling ABS collections to local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) for conservation and community development.

• Impact of the 2023 Amendments: The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 introduced significant changes to the ABS regime. It exempts registered AYUSH practitioners, local people, and codified traditional knowledge from ABS compliance. While this boosts the domestic AYUSH industry and promotes ease of doing business, it reduces the potential revenue pool for local conservers. Furthermore, the amendment decriminalized violations, replacing imprisonment with civil penalties, which reduces the deterrent effect against biopiracy.

• Federal and Governance Challenges: The three-tier structure (NBA, State Biodiversity Boards, and BMCs) suffers from functional devolution gaps. BMCs often lack the capacity to negotiate fair ABS agreements or maintain People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) effectively, leading to top-down decision-making.

Way Forward:

• Capacity Building: Empower BMCs through targeted training under the National Biodiversity Action Plan to draft and digitize PBRs.

• Transparent Revenue Sharing: Standardize the transfer mechanism of ABS funds from the national level to local communities to ensure direct financial incentives for conservation.

• Robust Monitoring: Deploy digital tracking systems to monitor the commercialization of patented bio-resources globally.

In conclusion, ensuring a robust ABS framework is vital to achieving Target 13 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and upholding Article 51A(g) of the Constitution, securing both ecological integrity and social justice.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding biodiversity governance in India: 1. The National Biodiversity Authority is a constitutional body established under Article 48A of the Constitution of India. 2. The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 completely exempts foreign entities from seeking NBA approval for accessing biological resources. 3. The Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework in India is designed to fulfill the obligations of the Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity. How many of the above statements are correct?

Only one
Only two
All three
None

Answer: A. Statement 1 is incorrect because the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is a statutory body established in 2003 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, not a constitutional body. Statement 2 is incorrect because the 2023 amendment mainly exempts domestic AYUSH practitioners and local users of codified knowledge; foreign entities still require NBA approval. Statement 3 is correct because the ABS framework directly implements the Nagoya Protocol's mandate on access and benefit sharing.

Q2. With reference to the institutional structure established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, consider the following statements: 1. State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) have the power to restrict activities that violate conservation objectives within their states. 2. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) are established at the local body level and are responsible for preparing People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs). 3. The National Biodiversity Authority is headquartered in New Delhi to ensure close coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Answer: A. Statements 1 and 2 are correct. SBBs regulate and restrict commercial utilization of bio-resources at the state level, and BMCs are local bodies responsible for documenting traditional knowledge in PBRs. Statement 3 is incorrect because the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, not New Delhi.

Q3. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the 'Access and Benefit Sharing' (ABS) framework under the Nagoya Protocol?

To completely ban the commercial use of wild flora and fauna by multinational corporations.
To establish a fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources with local conservers.
To ensure that genetic resources are shared freely among all nations without any sovereign restrictions.
To provide direct financial subsidies to state governments for the creation of new national parks and biosphere reserves.

Answer: B. The primary objective of the ABS framework under the Nagoya Protocol is to ensure that the benefits (financial or non-financial) arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge are shared in a fair and equitable manner with the local communities who conserve them.

Revision flashcards

Under which Act and in which year was the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) established? The Biological Diversity Act, 2002; established in 2003. It is a statutory autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
What is the three-tier institutional structure established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002? National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) at the state level, and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local body level.
How much revenue did the National Biodiversity Authority collect under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework during the first half of the 2026-27 fiscal year (April–September 2026)? Rs 9.68 crore.
Which international protocol, ratified by India, mandates the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework implemented by the NBA? The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing, which is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Why did the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 exempt domestic AYUSH practitioners from paying Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) fees? To promote the traditional Indian medicine industry, reduce compliance burdens, and encourage ease of doing business, though it reduces direct revenue for local conservers.