National Biodiversity Authority launches portal for Certificates of Origin for cultivated medicinal plants
The Environment Ministry announced on 5 February 2026 that the National Biodiversity Authority has operationalised a digital portal to issue Certificates of Origin for cultivated medicinal plants seeking Access and Benefit Sharing exemptions.
Summary
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced on 5 February 2026 that the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), a statutory body, has developed and operationalised a digital portal for electronic issuance of Certificates of Origin to stakeholders seeking Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) exemptions for cultivated medicinal plants. The single-window, end-to-end system is at absefiling.nbaindia.in. The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 was passed by the Lok Sabha on 25 July 2023 and the Rajya Sabha on 1 August 2023, and the Ministry notified Biological Diversity Rules in 2024 and 2025 that provide for electronic Certificates of Origin.
Key facts
- Announced
- 5 February 2026
- Body
- National Biodiversity Authority (statutory, under MoEFCC)
- Purpose
- Certificates of Origin for ABS exemption for cultivated medicinal plants
- Portal
- absefiling.nbaindia.in
- Law
- Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 — LS 25 July 2023, RS 1 August 2023
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The digital portal launched by the National Biodiversity Authority in February 2026 issues Certificates of Origin for what?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Cultivated medicinal plants
The portal issues Certificates of Origin to those seeking Access and Benefit Sharing exemptions for cultivated medicinal plants.
Consider the following about the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023: 1. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 25 July 2023 and by the Rajya Sabha on 1 August 2023. 2. The rules providing for electronic Certificates of Origin were notified before the Act was passed. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Environment Ministry notified the Biological Diversity Rules in 2024 and 2025, after the 2023 amendment.