Why in the News?

• The Union government has released a revised draft of the Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 and invited public feedback to modernise India’s pesticide regulation regime.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Pesticide Regulation (Background, Overview of Draft Bill, Institutional Architecture, Role of State Government, Key Gaps & Concerns, Way Forward)

Background: Pesticide Regulation in India

• India’s pesticide regulation is currently governed by the Insecticides Act, 1968 and its accompanying rules, framed over five decades ago.
• This framework was designed at a time when chemical pest control was central to agricultural productivity, with limited awareness of environmental and health externalities. Over time, concerns have emerged regarding:

• Rising incidents of spurious and substandard pesticides
• Human health impacts, including farmer exposure and poisoning
• Environmental damage, especially contamination of soil and water bodies
• Weak enforcement and outdated regulatory mechanisms

• Recognising these challenges, successive governments have attempted to introduce comprehensive legislation to replace the Insecticides Act.
• Draft Bills were introduced in 2008, 2018, and 2020, but none could be enacted into law.

Overview of the Pesticides Management Bill, 2025

• The Pesticides Management Bill, 2025, is the latest attempt to overhaul India’s pesticide governance framework.
• It aims to regulate the manufacture, import, export, storage, sale, distribution, and use of pesticides in the country. Key stated objectives of the Bill include:

• Minimising risks to human beings, animals, and the environment
• Ensuring safe and effective use of pesticides
• Promoting transparency, traceability, and accountability
• Improving service delivery to farmers and enhancing ease of living

• The Bill proposes to repeal the Insecticides Act, 1968, thereby consolidating pesticide regulation under a modern legislative framework.

Institutional Architecture Under the Bill

• Registration Committee
  • The Bill provides for a committee constituted by the Union government. It includes representatives from:
    • Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
    • Drugs Controller General of India
    • Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
    • Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals
    • A national-level toxicology research institution
  • This Committee is responsible for the registration of pesticides, reviewing safety concerns and examining temporary bans imposed by States
• Central Pesticides Board
  • A Central Pesticides Board is also envisaged to:

• Recommend pesticides for inclusion under the law
• Prescribe good manufacturing practices
• Frame protocols for pesticide recall
• Develop standard operating procedures for poisoning cases
• Lay down guidelines for the safe disposal of pesticides and packaging

Role of State Governments

• Under the proposed Bill, State governments have limited regulatory powers. They may:

• Temporarily prohibit the sale, distribution, or use of a pesticide or a specific batch
• Impose such a prohibition for a maximum period of one year

• However, any such notification must be reviewed by the Registration Committee, and States do not have independent long-term prohibition or punitive powers.
• This aspect has attracted criticism from experts and civil society groups.

Key Gaps and Concerns in the 2025 Draft

• Despite being labelled as a revised version, the 2025 draft introduces limited substantive changes compared to the 2020 draft. Major concerns include:

• Weakened legislative language: The Bill states it will “strive to minimise risk” instead of committing to “minimise risk”.
• Absence of criminal liability provisions: There are no clear provisions fixing criminal liability on manufacturers or distributors in cases of misuse, poisoning, or environmental damage.
• Limited State enforcement powers: States cannot permanently ban hazardous pesticides.
• No price regulation mechanism: The Bill does not address high pesticide pricing or farmer affordability.
• Weak grievance redressal framework: Clear compensation and liability mechanisms for affected farmers are missing.

• Experts argue that without strong enforcement and accountability, regulatory effectiveness may remain limited.

Consultation Process and Way Forward

• The government has invited public comments and stakeholder feedback on the draft Bill until February 2, 2026.
• This consultation phase is crucial given the Bill’s long legislative history and the persistent concerns raised by farmer groups, public health experts, and environmental organisations.
• The Bill also aligns with broader policy goals such as:

• Encouraging biological and traditional pest control methods
• Reducing dependence on hazardous chemical pesticides
• Strengthening farmer confidence through regulatory transparency