The proposed law introduces a Central Pesticides Board, mandatory registrations, and accredited testing labs to ensure quality and transparency

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has released the Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 for consultation with stakeholders and the public, marking a significant step toward modernizing India’s agricultural regulatory framework. The bill is designed to replace the outdated Insecticides Act of 1968 and its rules, ensuring that farmers have access to safe and high-quality pesticides while also simplifying compliance for businesses. By decriminalizing petty offences, the draft legislation seeks to promote both ease of living for farmers and ease of doing business for industry players.

The proposed law introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework that covers the entire lifecycle of pesticides, including manufacture, import, labelling, sale, transport, use, and disposal. It establishes a centralized authority through the creation of a Central Pesticides Board, which will serve as an advisory body with representatives from the ministries of Health, Environment, and Agriculture, and a Registration Committee, which will act as the executive authority responsible for scrutinizing and approving pesticide registrations. The bill mandates that no pesticide can be manufactured or imported without prior registration, with decisions required within a time-bound period of 12 to 18 months.

Digital governance is a cornerstone of the draft, with provisions for digital platforms to handle registration, licensing, inspections, and record-keeping, thereby reducing delays and streamlining compliance. Quality assurance is emphasized through mandatory accreditation of pesticide testing laboratories, ensuring that only certified products reach farmers. To combat the menace of spurious and substandard products, the bill prescribes stricter penalties and controls, while also allowing for compounding of offences to balance enforcement with practicality. States will retain the authority to define enhanced penalties within the national framework, enabling them to address local enforcement needs effectively.

The institutional framework under the bill empowers pesticide inspectors to enter premises, seize unsafe stocks, and halt the sale of products for up to 60 days pending laboratory results. Together, these measures reflect a holistic approach to pesticide management, combining farmer safety, environmental responsibility, and business efficiency. The Ministry has positioned the draft bill as a transformative step toward aligning India’s agricultural sector with global best practices, reinforcing resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability in the years ahead.