The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) runs the e-Charak platform for trade in medicinal plants. Also, it works as both a mobile app and a web portal. Notably, NMPB functions under the Ministry of Ayush. Moreover, the platform links farmers, traders and other stakeholders across India. So, it gives medicinal plant growers easier access to markets.
What the e-Charak Platform Offers
First, the platform promotes and markets medicinal plants and herbs. Also, it enables information exchange among stakeholders, mainly farmers. Moreover, the app supports several local languages. Interestingly, it updates the fortnightly market price of 100 medicinal plants. In fact, these prices come from 25 herbal markets across India.
Who Built It
NMPB developed the platform jointly with BISAG-N. Here, BISAG-N stands for Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics. In March 2026, PIB highlighted e-Charak in a World Wildlife Day backgrounder. Notably, that year’s day focused on medicinal and aromatic plants.
NMPB’s Wider Support
Besides e-Charak, NMPB runs a Central Sector Scheme on medicinal plants. Its outlay, however, stood at Rs 322.41 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26. Under it, NMPB supports conservation areas, herbal gardens and quality planting material. In addition, a new Medicinal Plants Business Centre component funds storage and processing. Also, NMPB backed the GI tag for Nagauri Ashwagandha, registered on 24 November 2025.
About India’s Medicinal Plant Wealth
India is one of 17 mega-biodiverse countries. Also, according to PIB, it has about 15,000 medicinal plant species. Of these, about 8,000 find use in Indian medicine and folk systems. Further, about 70% of medicinal and aromatic plants grow in the Ghats, the Himalayas and the Aravallis. Hence, Uttarakhand’s hill farmers have a strong stake in this trade.
e-Charak Platform: Key Facts for Revision
- Run by: National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush
- Co-developer: BISAG-N
- Format: Mobile app and web portal
- Price data: 100 medicinal plants from 25 herbal markets, every fortnight
- Languages: Several local languages
- NMPB scheme outlay: Rs 322.41 crore (2021-22 to 2025-26)
Why the e-Charak Platform Matters for UPSC and UKPSC
Notably, e-Charak links digital agriculture with the Ayush sector. So, remember NMPB, BISAG-N and the 100-plant, 25-market price feature. Also, link it with Uttarakhand’s push for herbal farming in the hills. For official updates, also visit NMPB. Next, for a related story, read about House of Himalayas sales by Uttarakhand women.
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