Currently, climate refugees do not enjoy legal recognition under either Indian or international law. However, growing environmental displacement has created a strong case for evolving existing legal frameworks to address this emerging humanitarian challenge.

Status under Indian Law
No recognition in domestic law
India is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol.
India has no dedicated refugee law – ad hoc executive decisions govern refugee policy.
No Indian law or court ruling currently recognizes “climate refugees” as a legal category.

Why Legal Recognition is Needed
Protection Gap: Environmental migrants fall through legal cracks—neither considered refugees nor economic migrants.

Increasing Numbers: The World Bank projects over 200 million climate migrants by 2050.

Human Rights Risk: Displaced persons face risks to shelter, food, water, health, and identity without legal status.

Transboundary Impact: Countries like Bangladesh and Maldives may see displacement to India or Sri Lanka, raising cross-border legal questions.