The Government of India has opened the Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 for public consultation, inviting suggestions through the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. The new legislation is proposed to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Insecticides Rules, 1971, which have regulated pesticide use in the country for over fifty years.
Aim of the New Legislation
The draft Bill has been designed to modernise India’s pesticide regulatory framework in line with contemporary agricultural practices, scientific advancements, and administrative requirements. With updated definitions and revised governance structures, the legislation seeks to address current challenges in pesticide production, distribution, and usage. Comments from stakeholders and citizens will be accepted up to February 4, 2026.
Overhaul of Existing Regulatory Structure
Once enacted, the Bill will repeal the existing insecticides law and its associated rules. The new framework is expected to streamline regulation and improve oversight across the pesticide lifecycle—from manufacturing and import to sale and use. The focus is on bringing regulations in tune with technological developments and ensuring safer and more efficient pesticide management.
Provisions Focused on Farmers
The draft law places a strong emphasis on farmer welfare. It prioritises access to reliable and high-quality pesticides and introduces provisions to improve transparency and traceability within the supply chain. Accreditation of testing laboratories has been made mandatory, ensuring that only pesticides meeting quality standards are approved for sale. These measures aim to reduce the circulation of substandard or counterfeit products and enhance confidence among farmers.
Shift Toward Decriminalisation and Efficient Enforcement
A notable feature of the proposed Bill is the decriminalisation of minor violations. Instead of criminal prosecution for petty offences, the legislation allows for compounding, accompanied by steeper monetary penalties for serious breaches such as the sale of fake or misbranded pesticides. State authorities will have the power to frame compounding procedures, helping expedite regulatory actions and improve administrative efficiency.
Public Consultation Process
As part of the pre-legislative consultation process, the draft Bill and the prescribed response format have been uploaded on the Ministry’s website for public access. Inputs are being sought from farmers, industry bodies, researchers, and general citizens. Suggestions may be submitted via email during the consultation period, with February 4, 2026 set as the last date for sending feedback.
Summary
The Government of India has released the Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 for public consultation, aiming to replace the existing Insecticides Act, 1968 and associated rules. The proposed law seeks to update pesticide regulation in line with modern agricultural and technological needs, introduces farmer-centric measures, strengthens quality control through accredited laboratories, and decriminalises minor offences while imposing higher financial penalties for serious violations. Public comments can be submitted via email until February 4, 2026.
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