{"id":81998,"date":"2026-01-11T10:52:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T05:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=81998"},"modified":"2026-01-12T15:54:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T10:24:38","slug":"pesticides-management-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/pesticides-management-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 &#8211; Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Pesticides Management Latest News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Union government has released a revised draft of the Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 and invited public feedback to modernise India\u2019s pesticide regulation regime.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Background: Pesticide Regulation in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s pesticide regulation is currently governed by the <\/span><b>Insecticides Act, 1968<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and its accompanying rules, framed over five decades ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rising incidents of <\/span><b>spurious and substandard pesticides<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Human health impacts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including farmer exposure and poisoning<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Environmental damage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially contamination of soil and water bodies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weak enforcement and outdated regulatory mechanisms<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recognising these challenges, successive governments have attempted to introduce comprehensive legislation to replace the Insecticides Act.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Draft Bills were introduced in 2008, 2018, and 2020, but none could be enacted into law.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Overview of the Pesticides Management Bill, 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pesticides Management Bill, 2025, is the latest attempt to overhaul India\u2019s pesticide governance framework.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimising risks to human beings, animals, and the environment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensuring safe and effective use of pesticides<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promoting transparency, traceability, and accountability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improving service delivery to farmers and enhancing ease of living<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill proposes to repeal the Insecticides Act, 1968, thereby consolidating pesticide regulation under a modern legislative framework.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Institutional Architecture Under the Bill<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Registration Committee<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill provides for a committee constituted by the Union government. It includes representatives from:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/indian-council-of-agricultural-research-icar\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Indian Council of Agricultural Research<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (ICAR)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/central-drugs-standard-control-organisation-cdsco\/\" target=\"_blank\">Drugs Controller General of India<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A national-level toxicology research institution<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This Committee is responsible for the registration of pesticides, reviewing safety concerns and examining temporary bans imposed by States<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Central Pesticides Board<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Central Pesticides Board is also envisaged to:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recommend pesticides for inclusion under the law<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescribe good manufacturing practices<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frame protocols for pesticide recall<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develop standard operating procedures for poisoning cases<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lay down guidelines for the safe disposal of pesticides and packaging<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Role of State Governments<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the proposed Bill, State governments have limited regulatory powers. They may:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Temporarily prohibit the sale, distribution, or use of a pesticide or a specific batch<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Impose such a prohibition for a maximum period of one year<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, any such notification must be reviewed by the Registration Committee, and States do not have independent long-term prohibition or punitive powers.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This aspect has attracted criticism from experts and civil society groups.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Key Gaps and Concerns in the 2025 Draft<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite being labelled as a revised version, the 2025 draft introduces limited substantive changes compared to the 2020 draft. Major concerns include:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Weakened legislative language<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Bill states it will \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">strive to minimise risk<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d instead of committing to \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">minimise risk<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Absence of criminal liability provisions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: There are no clear provisions fixing criminal liability on manufacturers or distributors in cases of misuse, poisoning, or environmental damage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Limited State enforcement powers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: States cannot permanently ban hazardous pesticides.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>No price regulation mechanism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Bill does not address high pesticide pricing or farmer affordability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Weak grievance redressal framework<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Clear compensation and liability mechanisms for affected farmers are missing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts argue that without strong enforcement and accountability, regulatory effectiveness may remain limited.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Consultation Process and Way Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The government has invited public comments and stakeholder feedback on the draft Bill until February 2, 2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This consultation phase is crucial given the Bill\u2019s long legislative history and the persistent concerns raised by farmer groups, public health experts, and environmental organisations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill also aligns with broader policy goals such as:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encouraging biological and traditional pest control methods<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reducing dependence on hazardous chemical pesticides<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strengthening farmer confidence through regulatory transparency<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Source<\/b><strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/govt-seeks-feedback-on-draft-bill-to-regulate-pesticides-promote-safe-and-effective-use\/article70487863.ece#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20draft%2C%20the,of%20safe%20and%20effective%20pesticides%E2%80%9D.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TH<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/environment\/pesticides-management-bill-2025-revised-draft-but-old-gaps-remain#google_vignette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Down to Earth<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 seeks to overhaul India\u2019s pesticide regulation framework by replacing the Insecticides Act, 1968.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":82116,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[60,4673,22,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-81998","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-mains-articles","9":"tag-pesticides-management","10":"tag-upsc-current-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81998"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81998\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}