The Indian government has taken a significant step towards modernizing agricultural safety by releasing the draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025. This proposed legislation seeks to replace the outdated Insecticides Act of 1968 and its associated rules from 1971, which have governed the sector for over five decades. The move addresses long-standing concerns over the proliferation of spurious pesticides and the need for a regulatory framework aligned with contemporary farming challenges.
Why India Needs a New Pesticides Law
The existing Insecticides Act is widely considered inadequate to tackle current issues in agriculture. It does not sufficiently cover modern pesticide formulations, environmental risks, advanced farming practices, or the rampant spread of counterfeit products. The urgency for reform is highlighted by recent data: in the 2023-24 period, 80,789 pesticide samples were tested across India, of which 2,222 were found to be spurious, as stated by Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur in Parliament in February 2025.
The new draft bill aims to regulate the entire lifecycle of pesticides—from manufacture and import to packaging, sale, use, and disposal. This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure farmers have consistent access to safe, effective, and genuine crop protection products.
Key Provisions for Quality and Safety
A cornerstone of the proposed law is the mandatory accreditation of pesticide testing laboratories. This measure is intended to strengthen quality control protocols and ensure that all pesticides in the market meet stringent safety and efficacy standards. Reliable testing infrastructure is expected to boost farmer confidence and reduce crop losses caused by inferior or fake products.
The draft also mandates the formation of a registration committee within six months of the Act coming into force. This body will be responsible for scrutinizing applications and making decisions related to pesticide registrations. Furthermore, the bill advocates for greater use of technology and digital processes to streamline regulatory approvals and enhance oversight.
Cracking Down on Illegal Pesticides with Stricter Penalties
To combat the persistent menace of fake and illegal pesticides, the bill proposes significantly stricter penalties and enhanced enforcement powers. If a company commits an offence, both the entity and the individuals responsible for its operations at the time will be held liable.
Manufacturing or importing a pesticide without registration could lead to imprisonment of up to three years, a fine ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹40 lakh, or both. The draft also allows for the compounding of offences, with enhanced penalties aimed at deterring repeat violations. These steps are crucial for mitigating risks to farmers, consumers, and the environment from pesticide misuse.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions to improve transparency and traceability, enabling pesticides to be tracked from the factory to the point of sale. This would empower farmers to verify the authenticity of products and help regulators swiftly identify and remove counterfeits from the market.
Significance for India's Agricultural Economy
The introduction of this draft is being closely monitored, given the critical role of agriculture in India's economy. The sector contributes around 18% to the nation's GDP and employs nearly half of its workforce. The organized crop protection market itself is valued at approximately $2.59 billion in 2025, according to Mordor Intelligence, with insecticides holding the largest market share.
Agriculture expert Aditya Sesh, a member of an expert committee in the agriculture ministry, highlighted the bill's progressive elements. He noted that it provides for formal farmer representation in the regulatory framework and directly addresses pesticide adulteration, a major cause of poisoning incidents.
The draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025, marks a crucial attempt to update a legacy law after years of delay, with previous versions introduced in 2017-18 and 2020. Public comments on the current draft are being accepted until 4 February.
