Systematic review of ecological and environmental citizen science in India

Citizen science (CS) is increasingly used for research, environmental monitoring and policy input while enhancing participants' skills and well-being. However, it remains unevenly distributed globally, with limited presence in low- and middle-income countries, e.g. India, that are vulnerable to climate risks. This systematic review, following the PRISMA framework, identified 58 initiatives from academic and non-academic sources and analysed the scope and drivers of environmental and ecological CS projects in India. The findings reveal disparities in project diversity, geographic distribution and levels of participant engagement across the scientific process. Projects are concentrated in more affluent states and are predominantly biodiversity-focussed, with fewer addressing local socio-environmental concerns, highlighting the untapped potential of CS to address socio-environmental challenges in India. To scale its impact, we recommend strengthening linkages with government and academia, expanding thematic coverage and designing locally relevant projects with higher levels of public engagement aligned with policy needs.