Blue Flag Certification: 33 Criteria and 22 Indian Beaches in the 2026–27 Season

The news

Three beaches in Maharashtra — Ladghar and Guhagar in Ratnagiri district and Shrivardhan in Raigad district — have become the first in the state to receive the international Blue Flag certification for the 2026–27 season. The tag is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a Denmark-based non-governmental organisation, to beaches, marinas and tourism boats that meet prescribed standards of environmental management, water quality, safety, accessibility and environmental education. Only 22 beaches in India currently hold the certification.

India’s Blue Flag programme prescribes 33 criteria grouped under four heads: environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, and safety and services. Beaches must undergo regular water sampling for microbiological contamination, ensure proper waste collection and sewage disposal, protect sensitive habitats, and provide first aid facilities, drinking water, toilets and accessibility for persons with disabilities. The certification is seasonal and must be renewed; it can be suspended or withdrawn if standards are not maintained. Of India’s 22 certified beaches for 2026–27, 13 are renewals and nine are new additions. India’s first eight beaches received the tag in 2020.

Applications are first examined by a National Blue Flag Jury before being sent to the FEE’s International Jury, which includes representatives of UNEP, UNESCO, UN Tourism and IUCN. Globally, 5,274 sites across 53 countries received Blue Flag recognition for the 2026 Northern Hemisphere season, including 4,371 beaches, 745 marinas and 158 tourism boats. The Maharashtra government intends to use the programme to bring more eligible beaches along the state’s coast up to international standards.

How does the Blue Flag certification process work?

The Blue Flag programme began in France in 1985 and is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education, an international non-governmental, non-profit organisation. In India, a National Blue Flag Jury comprising experts, government representatives and members of civil society examines applications and recommends beaches for international consideration. The final decision rests with the FEE’s International Jury, which includes representatives of UNEP, UNESCO, UN Tourism and IUCN. National operators carry out monitoring and control visits, and the international programme also provides for inspections; corrective measures can be required and certification can be suspended or withdrawn if standards are not maintained.

What are the 33 criteria and what do they require?

India’s 33 criteria are grouped under four heads. Environmental education and information requires beaches to display details about the local ecosystem, bathing water quality and visitor conduct, and to organise awareness activities. Water quality demands regular testing for microbiological contamination including E. coli and intestinal enterococci, with no sewage or industrial waste contaminating bathing waters. Environmental management requires regular cleaning, proper waste collection and segregation, adequate sewage disposal, and protection of sensitive habitats and biodiversity. Safety and services mandate first aid facilities, emergency arrangements, drinking water, toilets and accessibility for persons with disabilities.

What does the certification mean for Maharashtra?

Ladghar, Guhagar and Shrivardhan are the first beaches in Maharashtra to make it to the Blue Flag list, giving the state’s coastline international recognition for environmental management and sustainable tourism. The state government intends to use the programme to bring more eligible beaches along the Maharashtra coast up to international standards. The certification could improve the visibility of these destinations among tourists and provide a boost to local tourism-related businesses.