Context: Community Seed Bank Management
The Bureau of Indian Standards has released IS 20201:2026, India’s first standard for Community Seed Bank Management, aimed at conserving indigenous seed varieties, protecting agrobiodiversity and strengthening climate-resilient agriculture.
IS 20201:2026: Key Highlights
Community Seed Bank
- Community-managed repository for collection, storage, conservation and exchange of traditional or local seeds.
Objectives
- Indigenous seed conservation
- Agrobiodiversity protection
- Climate resilience
- Food and nutritional security
Importance
- Preserves drought-resistant and locally adapted crop varieties.
- Enhances resilience against climate change.
- Supports sustainable agriculture.
Bureau of Indian Standards
Status
- National Standards Body of India
- Statutory body under BIS Act, 2016
Ministry
- Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Function
- Formulates Indian Standards for products, services and systems.
Prelims Facts: Important Quality Marks
ISI Mark
- Quality certification for industrial products.
- Issued by BIS.
Hallmark
- Purity certification for gold and silver jewellery.
- Issued by BIS.
Eco Mark
- Environment-friendly products.
- BIS + Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
AGMARK
- Agricultural products quality certification.
- Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Ministry of Agriculture.
FSSAI Logo
- Food safety compliance.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
BEE Star Rating
- Energy efficiency of appliances.
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
SDG Link
SDG 2
- Zero Hunger
