India Emerges as Global Leader in Nagoya Protocol Compliance with Record IRCC Issuance

Key Facts

• India has issued 3,561 Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) as of March-April 2026, which represents over 56% of the global total of 6,311 IRCCs issued worldwide.
• The Nagoya Protocol was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan, and came into force on 12 October 2014; India ratified the protocol in 2012.
• IRCCs are official documents under the Nagoya Protocol that confirm that Prior Informed Consent (PIC) has been obtained and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) have been established for the access and use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.
• India's biodiversity governance framework includes the Biological Diversity Act, 2002; the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the central level; State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) at the state level; and more than 276,653 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local level.
• India leads globally in IRCC issuance, followed by France (964 IRCCs), Spain (320), Argentina (257), Panama (156), and Kenya (144).

Background & Context

The Nagoya Protocol is an international supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity, aiming to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. Under the protocol, countries granting access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge must issue IRCCs to provide official evidence of prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms. The ABS Clearing-House is an international platform that tracks these certificates to promote transparency and accountability in the use of genetic resources.

India’s leading position in issuing IRCCs reflects its effective implementation of the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) framework established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. This includes streamlined procedures and strong institutional mechanisms through the NBA, SBBs, and BMCs, enabling efficient processing and compliance with international obligations.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

The Nagoya Protocol and India’s leadership in IRCC issuance are important topics for environment and biodiversity sections in competitive examinations such as UPSC and State Public Service Commission exams. Understanding the protocol's objectives, India’s domestic implementation mechanism, relevant statistics, and key institutions enhances comprehension of India’s role in global biodiversity governance and sustainable development policies.

Points to Remember

• India issued 3,561 IRCCs by early 2026, accounting for over 56% of the global total of 6,311 certificates.
• The Nagoya Protocol was adopted in 2010 and came into force in 2014; India ratified it in 2012.
• IRCCs verify that prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms have been secured for access to genetic resources.
• The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 supports India’s ABS implementation with institutions like the National Biodiversity Authority and over 276,653 local Biodiversity Management Committees.
• India ranks highest globally in IRCC issuance, ahead of France, Spain, Argentina, Panama, and Kenya.