National Red List India 2025

India is set to unveil its first-ever National Red List India 2025 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, scheduled in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from October 9 to 15, 2025.

This national initiative will highlight species at risk, strengthen conservation priorities, and provide a detailed scientific framework to safeguard India’s rich biodiversity. Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, and External Affairs, will lead India’s delegation at this global event.

What is the National Red List and Why It Matters

The Red List of Threatened Species, originally maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is a critical tool for assessing the extinction risk of species worldwide. While the global Red List focuses on international trends, the National Red List of India 2025 will offer a country-specific perspective, enabling India to track the status of its unique flora and fauna.

This initiative will:

• Provide scientific data to support conservation decisions.

• Help prioritize species and habitats under threat.

• Improve reporting for global biodiversity targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

By evaluating the species extinction risk India-wide, the National Red List India 2025 will become an essential reference for policymakers, researchers, and conservationists.

India and the IUCN: A Longstanding Partnership

India has been a State Member of the IUCN since 1969 and has contributed significantly to global conservation science. However, the National Red List India 2025 marks the country’s debut in releasing a national biodiversity assessment.

This Red List aligns with India’s vision of a nature-positive economy and fulfills commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

About the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025

Held every four years, the IUCN Congress is a premier global event on biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable development.

It brings together:

• Over 1,400 member organizations, including governments, NGOs, and Indigenous groups

• Experts in biodiversity, climate policy, and sustainability

• Decision-makers who vote on key conservation motions

The 2025 Congress in Abu Dhabi will focus on five priority themes:

1. Scaling Up Resilient Conservation Action

2. Reducing Climate Overshoot Risks

3. Delivering on Equity in Conservation

4. Transitioning to Nature-Positive Economies

5. Disruptive Innovation and Leadership for Conservation

India’s participation, especially the launch of the National Red List India 2025, will emphasize the country’s commitment to wildlife conservation India-wide and global biodiversity governance.

India’s Biodiversity: What the Red List Will Cover

As one of the 17 mega-diverse countries, India is home to:

• Over 45,000 plant species

• Nearly 100,000 documented animal species

• Unique ecosystems such as the Western Ghats, Himalayas, and Sundarbans

The National Red List India 2025 for mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and plants will include categories like Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, and Near Threatened. It will also provide data on habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, and climate change impacts. This effort will complement global conservation strategies and feed into international databases, aiding in India's endangered species list.

India at the Congress: Representation and Global Impact

Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh will represent India, highlighting national conservation initiatives such as

• Project Tiger

• Project Elephant

• National Mission for Biodiversity and Human Well-being

Notable global figures attending include:

• Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, CBD

• Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President

• Grethel Aguilar, Director General, IUCN

• Ricky Kej, Grammy-winning composer and environmental ambassador

India’s launch of the National Red List India 2025 at the Congress will reinforce the nation’s leadership in conservation while sharing knowledge and best practices with the global community.

Key Takeaways for SSC Aspirants

• Event: National Red List India 2025 launch at IUCN Congress, Abu Dhabi (Oct 9–15, 2025)

• Focus: Species assessment, habitat threats, and extinction risk

• India’s Role: Longstanding IUCN membership (since 1969), showcasing initiatives in wildlife conservation India

• Significance: Supports India's biodiversity, threatened species assessment, conservation decision-making, and global biodiversity targets

The National Red List India 2025 is a milestone in India’s conservation journey, ensuring that policymakers, researchers, and citizens are informed about the status of endangered species and are better equipped to protect the country’s unique Indian wildlife.

Final Thoughts

India will launch its first-ever National Red List India 2025 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi from October 9–15. This initiative highlights endangered species and strengthens conservation priorities, assessing the extinction risk of species across India’s rich biodiversity.

The list covers mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and plants, classifying them as Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened, while noting threats from habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change.

Led by Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, India will showcase initiatives like Project Tiger and Project Elephant, with the National Red List India 2025 serving as a key tool for wildlife conservation India-wide and guiding global biodiversity efforts.