Botanical Survey of India

What Botanical Survey of India does

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is India's premier taxonomic research organization, established on February 13, 1890 under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and reorganized under Dr. E.K. Janaki Ammal after independence. Operating as a statutory government body with its headquarters in Kolkata, BSI runs 14 locations across India—11 regional centres covering distinct biogeographic zones (Himalayas, Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, arid zones, Deccan, etc.), four headquarters units in Kolkata and Howrah, and 12 botanical gardens. BSI's mandate is to explore, collect, identify, and document India's plant resources. The organization maintains over 4 million preserved plant specimens, including 18,988 type specimens, and has documented 44,500+ species (approximately 7% of global plant species) while contributing 1 new family, 43 new genera, and 1,666+ new species to science since 1890.

BSI's core technology stack centres on botanical taxonomy, specimen curation, and digital infrastructure. It operates molecular taxonomy laboratories at Shillong and Pune for DNA-based identification, alongside traditional morphological methods. Its digital portfolio includes the Indian Plant Diversity Information System (IPDIS) as the overarching platform, the Indian Virtual Herbarium for dried specimens, the Database on Genome Related Information of Indian Plants (DGRAIP), a Medicinal Plant Database, and the ENVIS environmental information system. BSI's laboratory services include HPLC analysis for phenolic acids and flavonoids, SEM imaging, and chemical characterization of plant samples. The organization has produced authoritative documentation: Flora of India (10 volumes), State Floras (29 volumes across 9 states), District Floras (34 volumes for 26 districts), and the peer-reviewed journal Nelumbo.

BSI's revenue model is predominantly government-funded through annual budgetary allocation from MoEFCC, with supplementary fee-based services for plant identification (INR 250–500 per sheet), authentication of crude plant samples (INR 2,500–10,000 per sample), HPLC and SEM analysis (INR 1,500–7,000 per sample), herbarium image procurement, 15-day training courses (INR 2,000–10,000 per candidate), and supply of plant material. Customer segments comprise Indian Government Ministries and Departments (primary), research institutions and universities (primary), NGOs and conservation organizations, and industrial/commercial organizations in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food sectors requiring raw-material authentication. Fee-based services are explicitly described as supporting institutional operations rather than operating as commercial profit centres. BSI has completed plant surveys across 68 protected areas, 26 sub-Reserves, 1 Ramsar site, 12 changing ecosystems, and 23 tiger reserves, while conducting 900 RET taxa population studies focused on Orchids and Sapotaceae.

Name

Botanical Survey of India

Legal name

Botanical Survey of India

Website

https://bsi.gov.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Botanical Survey of India is a statutory body under India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, conducting botanical taxonomy research across 14 Indian locations. It maintains over 4 million plant specimens and digital databases, serving government agencies, research institutions, and commercial clients with identification and authentication services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Botanical Research and Taxonomic Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Natural Resource Inventory & Forest/Woodland Assessments (Timber, Vegetation, Invasives) (EUAHAHAG)

Keywords

• Botanical research services
• Plant taxonomy
• Herbarium digitization
• Floristic surveys
• Plant identification

Headquarters

HQ city

Kolkata

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is India's premier taxonomic research organization operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It conducts floristic surveys, identifies and authenticates plant specimens, maintains over 4 million preserved plant specimens across its 11 regional centers and units, and publishes authoritative flora documentation. BSI also offers fee-based laboratory analysis services (HPLC, SEM) for plant samples and provides training in herbarium methodology.

Product overview

The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) operates as India's premier taxonomic research organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The organization functions as a multi-platform portfolio comprising digital databases and traditional research services. Its digital infrastructure includes the Indian Plant Diversity Information System (IPDIS) serving as the overarching digital platform, complemented by the Indian Virtual Herbarium for specimen databases, the Medicinal Plant Database, the Database on Genome Related Information of Indian Plants (DGRI), and the e-Flora of India. The ENVIS platform provides access to publications and newsletters. BSI also publishes the scientific journal 'Nelumbo' and offers the Plant Identification Service for specimen authentication at the Central National Herbarium, along with digitization services for herbarium specimens. The organization's publications span the Flora of India series, State Floras, District Floras, and miscellaneous botanical works.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Indian Plant Diversity Information System (IPDIS)
• Indian Virtual Herbarium
• Medicinal Plant Database
• Database on Genome Related Information of Indian Plants (DGRI)
• e-Flora of India
• ENVIS (Environmental Information System)
• Journal Nelumbo
• Plant Identification Service
• Herbarium Specimen Digital Images
• BSI Publications (Flora of India Series)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,666 new plant species and 43 new genera discovered since 1890
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of IndiacoreOthersBSI operates as a subordinate organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The Ministry provides administrative oversight, policy direction, and budgetary support to BSI. The Secretary of MoEFCC serves as the administrative head, and BSI's Director reports to the Ministry on all operational matters.
• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSI collaborates with NTCA on plant surveys and biodiversity documentation within India's network of Tiger Reserves. BSI has completed plant surveys for 23 tiger reserves as part of its ongoing national floristic documentation program.
• Indian Forest Service (IFS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSI provides training and technical support to Indian Forest Service officers. BSI centers regularly conduct training sessions for forest service trainees, including visits to BSI regional centers and botanical gardens for educational purposes.
• Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSI collaborates with IIFM on forest management and biodiversity conservation research and training programs.
• National Institute of Animal Welfare (NIAW)minorOthersBSI works with NIAW on matters related to plant-based wildlife health management and ecosystem conservation.
• National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)minorOthersBSI collaborates with NMNH on public education and awareness about India's plant biodiversity and conservation.
• ENVIS (Environmental Information System)majorTechnology or IntegrationBSI operates an ENVIS Resource Partner node focused on biodiversity information, providing digital databases, newsletters, abstracts, pamphlets, and brochures on India's plant diversity through the ENVIS platform.
• Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSI collaborates closely with ZSI (the animal counterpart organization) on joint biodiversity documentation initiatives. Both organizations share facilities, conduct joint review meetings, and coordinate on national biodiversity assessment programs including the Animal Taxonomy Summit (ATS) 2026.
• Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Health & Family WelfaremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSI collaborated with CCRAS on the Medico-Botanical Survey of Andaman & Nicobar Islands project, combining Ayurvedic and taxonomic expertise for documentation of medicinal plants.
• Central Academy for State Forest Service (CASFS), DehradunmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSI's Northern Regional Centre in Dehradun regularly provides educational visits and training sessions for CASFS trainees. The academy sends batches of forest service trainees to BSI for hands-on botanical training.
• Krida FoundationminorOthersKrida Foundation conducted a lecture on Yoga (mental health) at BSI NRC, Dehradun in June 2026, demonstrating BSI's engagement with external organizations for employee wellness programs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Singapore Botanic Gardens: National botanical garden of Singapore with active herbarium, plant identification, and conservation programmes. Comparable in operating botanical garden and research mandate, though serving a different geography than BSI.

Direct peers

• Missouri Botanical Garden: A leading US botanical institution with one of the world's largest herbaria, active in plant taxonomy, floristic documentation (Flora of North America, Tropicos database), and biodiversity informatics — a near-direct peer to BSI in mission and output.
• Naturalis Biodiversity Center: Netherlands' national biodiversity institute, combining herbarium collections, taxonomic research, and digital platforms. Comparable in mandate to digitise national collections and operate as a national taxonomic authority.
• New York Botanical Garden: Operates a major herbarium (~7.8M specimens), runs the C.V. Starr Virtual Herbarium, and conducts global plant research — directly comparable in scale, digital infrastructure, and taxonomy focus.
• Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (Paris): French national natural history museum operating major herbarium collections, taxonomy research, and field surveys — analogous institutional model to BSI as a state-funded national taxonomic research body.
• South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): South Africa's statutory national biodiversity body, responsible for plant taxonomic research, herbarium operations, and biodiversity policy support — closely analogous institutional design to BSI as a government-mandated biodiversity institute.
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: The UK's national botanical research and conservation organisation; runs a comparable herbarium, plant identification service, and global seed bank. Directly comparable as a national botanic survey/institute with herbarium collections, molecular labs, and identification services.
• Australian National Herbarium (CSIRO): Australia's national herbarium, operating plant specimen curation, taxonomic research, and Australia's plant biodiversity database. Directly comparable as a national-level herbarium and taxonomy institution.

Broad incumbents

• Kunming Institute of Botany (Chinese Academy of Sciences): China's leading botanical research institute under CAS, running extensive herbaria and molecular labs focused on Asian flora. Comparable as a national-scale, government-backed botanical research organisation with herbarium and taxonomy mandate.
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (Department of Botany): US federally funded natural history museum with major botanical collections and research programmes. Broader than BSI in scope (covers zoology, anthropology, etc.) but directly comparable in its herbarium and plant taxonomy function.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/botanical-survey-of-india

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Botanical Survey of India