Prelims 2012 · archive
MediumHow does the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) help in protecting Indian Agriculture?
- 1.NBA checks the biopiracy and protects the indigenous and traditional genetic resources.
- 2.NBA directly monitors and supervises the scientific research on genetic modification of crop plants.
- 3.Application for Intellectual Property Rights related to genetic/ biological resources cannot be made without the approval of NBA.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
The NBA, set up under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, regulates access to India's biological resources and must approve any IPR application based on them. It can also oppose IPRs granted abroad on Indian resources, which is how it checks biopiracy. It does not supervise GM crop research. That is handled under the 1989 Rules framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, through the RCGM and the GEAC.
- ✓ 1. Under Section 18(4) of the Biological Diversity Act, the NBA can act for the Central Government to oppose IPRs granted outside India on biological resources obtained from India or knowledge associated with them. That is its anti-biopiracy role. Section 3 also requires foreign persons and entities to get its approval before obtaining Indian biological resources for research or commercial use.
- ✗ 2. GM organisms are regulated under the 1989 Rules framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Research is overseen by the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation, and environmental release is appraised by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). The NBA has no such supervisory role.
- ✓ 3. Section 6 says no one may apply for an IPR, in or outside India, on an invention based on research or information on a biological resource obtained from India without the NBA's previous approval. For patents, the Act then allowed the approval to be taken after acceptance but before sealing of the patent.
Remember · NBA (Biological Diversity Act, 2002) regulates access to biological resources, approves IPR applications on them (Sec 6) and opposes such IPRs abroad (Sec 18(4)). GM crops are regulated under the EPA 1986 Rules (RCGM, GEAC), not by the NBA.
Sources
- The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (MoEFCC), Section 6 ↗ “for any invention based on any research or information on a biological resource obtained from India without obtaining the previous approval of the National Biodiversity Authority before making such application … The National Biodiversity Authority may, on behalf of the Central Government, take any measures necessary to oppose the grant of intellectual property rights in any country outside India”
- PIB (MoEFCC): Clearance of GEAC mandatory for environmental release of GM crops ↗ “The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the statutory committee constituted under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (Rules, 1989)” framed under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2012, General Studies paper. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·