What it is
PGS-India Organic is a peer-guarantee organic certificate for produce sold within India. Its secretariat is NCONF, under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare. Instead of a paid third-party auditor, farmers in a Local Group inspect each other's fields and keep records, and Regional Councils facilitate and verify the work. FSSAI recognises PGS-India as one of exactly two Indian organic systems, and its label carries the Jaivik Bharat mark.
Who it is for
PGS-India is for farmers who sell within India and are ready to work as a group. It needs a Local Group of at least 5 farmers. A farmer can register alone for one to two years but must join a Local Group by year two. Each farmer also gives time — our dataset lists 4–8 hrs/month peer inspection + records. PGS-India is not accepted for export, so a farmer who plans to export needs NPOP.
What the badge means on theorganic.in
A green PGS-India Organic badge means we matched the certificate against the register, it covers the category you are viewing, and it was valid on the date shown. It turns amber 60 days before expiry and grey once it lapses or is rejected. Grey is never hidden. If a group's Regional Council works outside its assigned state after the cutoff, we review the certificate rather than reject it outright.
How to get it
Join or form a Local Group of at least 5 farmers, register through a Regional Council assigned to your state, keep records and take part in peer inspections. The first certificate usually takes 3–6 months, starting with PGS-India Green after one chemical-free season. Government assistance is listed as PKVY ₹50,000/ha over 3 years. For the full steps and the help you can claim, see Getting certified.
Questions people actually ask
Can I get PGS-India certified on my own?
Only for a while. PGS-India works through Local Groups of at least {group}. A farmer may register individually for one to two years but must join a Local Group by year two.
Can I export with a PGS-India certificate?
No. PGS-India is a domestic-only system and is not accepted for export. To export, you need NPOP.
Does PGS-India cost anything?
The indicative certification cost is {costPgs} in the first year and {costGroupPgs} per farmer a year in a group. It costs time instead — our dataset lists {effortPgs} per farmer. Government assistance is listed as {assistance}. These figures are indicative, not quotes.
This route carries no paid inventory of any kind.