National Biodiversity Authority India

What National Biodiversity Authority India does

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is a statutory body of the Government of India, established in 2003 under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to implement the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Headquartered at TICEL Bio-Park in Chennai with approximately 80 employees, NBA is the sole national regulator for access to India's biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. Its core mandate covers conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of biological resources, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from commercial utilization — operationalized through approval processes for research access, bio-survey, bio-utilization, transfer of research results, intellectual property filings, and third-party transfers, all routed via prescribed forms (Form I, II, III, IV, B, and C).

NBA's operational infrastructure consists of the Online ABS e-filing Portal (launched March 2017) for digital application intake, an internal ABS management system for tracking applications and disbursements, and a three-tier governance architecture comprising 29 State Biodiversity Boards, Union Territory Biodiversity Councils, and local Biodiversity Management Committees. Between 2006 and 2027, NBA processed 5,991 ABS applications, peaking at 967 in 2023-24. Since 2008-09, it has disbursed ₹1,442.19 Crore to State Boards and partner institutions, with annual ABS collections ranging from approximately ₹4 Crore to ₹49.83 Crore.

Revenue mechanics are driven entirely by Access and Benefit Sharing fees from applicants — companies commercializing Indian biological resources, foreign entities seeking access or IPR, and Indian researchers depositing micro-organisms abroad — and the organization also receives government grant-in-aid. NBA is supported by strategic partnerships with multilateral bodies including the Convention on Biological Diversity, UNEP, UNDP, GIZ, UNESCO, and ASEAN-India, and has overseen major research collaborations with CSIR institutes (IICB, IFGTB, IWST) and state forest departments, particularly through Red Sander research projects with the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department.

Name

National Biodiversity Authority India

Legal name

National Biodiversity Authority

Website

https://nbaindia.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The National Biodiversity Authority India is a statutory regulatory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that implements the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. It processes Access and Benefit Sharing applications from companies, researchers, and foreign entities seeking to access India's biological resources, and disburses collected fees to state-level biodiversity bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chennai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Fees: NBA collects fees from applicants who access Indian biological resources and associated knowledge for research, commercial, or IPR purposes. These collected amounts are then disbursed to State Biodiversity Boards, Union Territory Biodiversity Councils, and relevant departments/institutions for conservation and biodiversity promotion activities. Revenue fluctuates significantly year to year, ranging from approximately 4 Crore to 50 Crore annually.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NBA is the statutory regulatory authority that processes and grants approvals for access to India's biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. It receives and reviews applications through its Online ABS e-filing portal and offline channels for five regulated activities: research/commercial access, transfer of research results, intellectual property rights applications, third-party transfers, and prior intimation (Form C) for micro-organism deposits. Approved fees collected under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework are disbursed to State Biodiversity Boards, Union Territory councils, and implementing departments for biodiversity conservation.

Product overview

The National Biodiversity Authority India operates primarily as a regulatory and administrative body rather than a technology product company. Its digital offerings consist of the Online ABS e-filing Portal for submitting Access and Benefit Sharing applications, the ABS Management System for tracking applications and disbursements, the Form-C Filing System for micro-organism declarations, and various content resources including publications and reports. These are government-mandated compliance tools rather than commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Online ABS e-filing: Online portal for filing Access and Benefit Sharing applications
• Centre for Biodiversity Policy and Law (CEBPOL)
• Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Framework

Products and services

• Online ABS e-filing Portal A web-based platform for online submission of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) applications seeking approval for activities using Indian biological resources and associated knowledge. Target users are companies and researchers applying for approval across regulated activity categories.
• Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Management System System for tracking ABS applications received, approved, and benefit amounts disbursed to State Biodiversity Boards, Union Territory Biodiversity Councils, and relevant departments/institutions. Maintains comprehensive records across India since 2006 with cumulative disbursements of ₹1,442.19 Crore.
• Approval Application Processing Services End-to-end processing of five application categories: Form I (Access to Bioresources for Research or Commercial Purpose), Form II (Transfer of Research Results), Form III (Approval for obtaining IPR), Form IV (Third Party Transfer), and Form B applications. Service is for companies and researchers requiring regulatory clearance for Indian bioresource-related activities.
• Form-C Filing System Prior intimation filing system for Indian researchers and scientists depositing micro-operations (micro-organisms) in foreign repositories for novel species claims in journals. Governed by Section 37.14.02 decision from the 37th Authority meeting.
• Peoples' Biodiversity Registers (PBR) Support Guidance and resources for developing Peoples' Biodiversity Registers at local level to document bioresources and associated knowledge, as mandated under Section 41 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Target users are Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) operating at the grassroots level across India.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBD is the primary international partner for NBA. India is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing. NBA implements India's obligations under these international frameworks and submits national reports to CBD.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNEP collaborates with NBA on environmental programs. NBA participated in UNEP-GEF-MOEFCC-ABS Project titled 'Strengthening the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act and Rules with focus on its Access and Benefit Sharing Provisions'.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNDP partners with NBA on the GoI-UNDP-GEF-7 Biodiversity Project. NBA-UNDP have jointly released publications on International Day for Biological Diversity. Also conducts NBA-UNDP Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme (BSIP) for capacity building.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ partners with NBA on the ABS Partnership Project. GIZ has produced short films on the Biological Diversity Act, BMCs, and Peoples' Biodiversity Registers. Also developed training curriculum for Biodiversity Management Committees and published review materials on the Biological Diversity Amendment Act.
• UNESCOminorOthersListed as a global resource partner with potential collaboration on biodiversity and cultural heritage matters.
• CMS (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals)minorOthersListed as a global resource partner with potential collaboration on migratory species conservation.
• World Health Organization (WHO) IndiaminorOthersListed as a global resource partner with potential collaboration on biodiversity and health linkages.
• ASEAN-IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompleted ASEAN-India project under NBA's initiatives, focusing on biodiversity cooperation between India and ASEAN member states.
• State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs)coreOthers29 State Biodiversity Boards established under Section 22 of the Act. These boards receive ABS benefits disbursed from NBA and implement local biodiversity conservation activities. Major recipients include Andhra Pradesh (₹20.76 Crore), Maharashtra (₹9.49 Crore), Tamil Nadu (₹5.62 Crore).
• Forest DepartmentscoreOthersForest Departments (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha) are major recipients of ABS disbursements. The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department alone received ₹877.99 Crore, primarily from Red Sander Research Projects. Multiple research projects conducted with CSIR institutes, IFGTB, and IWST.
• CSIR Institutes (IICB)coreTechnology or IntegrationCSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology conducts Red Sander Research Projects funded through NBA's ABS mechanism. Two major research projects received ₹41.12 Lakh and ₹33.58 Lakh respectively for research activities.
• IFGTB (Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding)coreTechnology or IntegrationIFGTB conducts Red Sander Research Project under NBA's ABS framework. Received ₹20.01 Crore for research on Red Sander species conservation and sustainable utilization.
• IWST (Institute of Wood Science and Technology)coreTechnology or IntegrationIWST partners with NBA on Red Sander Research Projects. Received ₹22.95 Lakh for research activities. Also partnered with TDU (The Energy and Resources Institute) for additional research projects receiving ₹65.65 Lakh.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat: The multilateral treaty secretariat that establishes the global Nagoya Protocol framework NBA implements. Comparable as the overarching policy-setting body but broader in scope than NBA's single-country regulatory role.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): UNEP coordinates the UNEP-GEF-MOEFCC-ABS Project directly with NBA and provides the multilateral environmental governance backdrop. Comparable as a broader environmental authority while NBA operates as a national-level implementation arm.

Others

• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): WIPO's Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources intersects with NBA's Form III IPR approval function. Comparable thematic overlap on IP/biological resources but WIPO operates globally and NBA implements domestically.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): GIZ runs the ABS Partnership Project supporting NBA on training, BMC curriculum, and Peoples' Biodiversity Registers. As a development partner and capacity-builder, GIZ is an adjacent ecosystem enabler rather than a regulatory peer.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): UNDP co-implements the GoI-UNDP-GEF-7 Biodiversity Project with NBA, including the BSIP internship programme. An enabling/development partner rather than a peer regulator, but operationally intertwined with NBA capacity-building.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Global conservation authority that produces biodiversity standards, red lists, and policy frameworks intersecting with NBA's conservation mandate. Adjacent rather than directly competitive — an enabling/coordinating organization rather than an ABS regulator.

Direct peers

• CONABIO (Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad), Mexico: Mexico's national biodiversity commission coordinating biodiversity knowledge, policy, and ABS-relevant activities. Operates a comparable mandate in another mega-diverse country with strong indigenous-knowledge considerations paralleling India's BD Act scope.
• South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): South Africa's statutory body responsible for biodiversity research, policy, and ABS oversight. Comparable in scale and statutory nature, with both countries' biodiversity authorities operating as government entities implementing Nagoya Protocol obligations.
• Conselho de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético (CGEN), Brazil: Brazil's inter-ministerial council regulating access to genetic patrimony and traditional knowledge under Provisional Measure 2.186-2001 / Law 13.123/2015. Directly comparable to NBA in scope, implementing ABS under the Nagoya Protocol for a mega-diverse country with commercial bioprospecting activity.
• Indonesia — BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional): Indonesia's consolidated national research and innovation agency, which absorbed former functions including biodiversity and ABS-related oversight. Comparable as a national authority overseeing biological resource access and traditional knowledge utilization in another mega-diverse country.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NationalBiodiv
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4i9M4xHCURz-2_6cYqo9Xw
• Facebookfacebook.com/nbaindia.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalbiodiversityauthority
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-biodiversity-authority-india

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Biodiversity Authority India