EIA Notification, 2006
Framework and Process
The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 — issued under Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 — is the cornerstone of India's environmental clearance regime. It mandates that specified development projects obtain Environmental Clearance (EC) before construction or operation begins. Projects are divided into two categories based on scale and potential impact:
- Category A projects (large-scale, significant national impact): clearance from MoEFCC through a central Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)
- Category B projects (smaller scale): clearance from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), on the advice of the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC)
The process involves four stages: screening (determine if EIA is needed), scoping (define terms of reference for the EIA study), public consultation (mandatory for Category A and B1 projects), and appraisal (expert committee review of the EIA report).
- Statutory basis: Environment Protection Act, 1986, Section 3
- Maximum timeline for EC: 10–12 months under the 2006 notification
- Public consultation: required for all Category A and Category B1 projects; involves both public hearing and soliciting written responses
- SEIAA composition: independent expert members appointed by the state government; minimum one environment and one ecology expert required
- SEAC: technical advisory body to SEIAA; meets at least once a month
- Post-clearance monitoring: mandatory environmental conditions attached to every EC; monitored by the Regional Offices of MoEFCC
● Tracked since March 09, 2026 · last seen July 31, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes