The Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) in Pune, India, has received national repository status under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, as announced on April 7, 2026, by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This designation includes the MACS Collection of Microorganisms and the National Fungal Culture Collection of India, which are crucial for preserving and documenting India's microbial and fungal diversity. Prashant K. Dhakephalkar, the director of ARI, expressed pride in this recognition, emphasizing the institute's commitment to conserving India's biological wealth for various sectors, including research, agriculture, and healthcare. With this addition, India's designated repositories now total 18, enhancing the national framework for biodiversity conservation. The MACS Collection specializes in rare and extremophilic microorganisms, while the National Fungal Culture Collection plays a vital role in the identification and classification of fungal species. The initiative aims to ensure that biological materials are preserved in controlled conditions and made accessible for research and innovation.