The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on July 13, 2026, amended the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 to strengthen the environmental clearance framework by ensuring continuity in the functioning of State-level appraisal authorities.
The following has been stated: -
The amendments introduce Standing Authorities on Environmental Impact Assessment (SAEIA) and Standing Committees on Environmental Impact Appraisal (SCEIA) to temporarily discharge the functions of SEIAA and SEAC, respectively, whenever these bodies become non-functional due to expiry of tenure or other reasons. These interim bodies may function for up to six months, extendable by another six months, thereby preventing delays in environmental clearances.
The notification also extends the tenure of SEIAA and SEAC members from three years to four years, mandates initiation of their reconstitution six months before expiry, removes the requirement to transfer Category 'B' projects to the Central level in the absence of SEIAA/SEAC, and revises Appendix VI by updating the qualification, experience, tenure, age limit, composition, and removal criteria for members of EACs, SEIAAs, and SEACs. The changes are aimed at streamlining the environmental appraisal process and improving administrative efficiency.
[S.O. 3862(E).]
