Beddome's Handbook on Ferns of British India with supplement though published in 1892, and contains outmoded classifications and out of date nomenclature, still serves as the standard source of reference for all Indian workers on the fern flora of the country.
In this communication Copeland's (1947) classification has been followed in presenting 16 of his 18 families occurring in India. Thirty-two of the 47 genera have heen tabulated according to their respective positions in the classifications of Copeland and Beddome to illustrate the striking changes brought about in the concept of fern systematics between 1892 and 1947.
About 150 species collected from parts of Orissa, Bihar, Assam and N.E.F.-Agency have been listed with correct nomenclature followed by basinym and important synonyms. Species names used by Beddome (1892) are indicated by the abbreviation 'Bedd' followed by a numerical to facilitate reference back to the respective page in his Handbook and supplement.
Some new combinations have been made and new records established.