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Informist, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

 

NEW DELHI – The government has released the draft Seeds Bill, 2025, which proposes stringent regulations for India's seeds sector, including mandatory registration of varieties, licensing of all producers and sellers, and a graded penalty system that allows fines of up to INR 3 million and imprisonment of up to three years for repeated violations.

 

Issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Nov. 12, the draft bill seeks to replace the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983. It aims to regulate the quality of seeds for sale and import, ensure the availability of certified seed varieties, and streamline the legal framework governing production and trade.

 

The proposed law mandates that no seed variety--other than farmers' varieties or those produced solely for export--can be sold or distributed unless it is registered under the Act. The draft also provides for the establishment of a National Register on Seed Varieties, to be maintained by a registrar appointed by the Centre.

 

The bill allows the central government to set up Central Seed Testing Laboratories, while states may establish State Seed Testing Laboratories to verify the quality of seeds sold for commercial use.

 

To ensure compliance, the bill authorises appointment of Seed Inspectors and Seed Analysts with powers to enter premises, collect samples, seize seed lots, and inspect records. Imports of seeds will also be regulated to meet minimum germination, purity, and health standards, and may require registration or specific permissions for research or trial purposes.

 

The bill expressly states that nothing in the law shall restrict a farmer's right to grow, sow, re-sow, save, use, exchange, share, or sell seeds of his or her own produce, as long as such seeds are not sold under a brand name.

 

The draft introduces a graded penalty system to balance strict enforcement with ease of doing business. It also seeks to decriminalise minor offenses to reduce regulatory burdens on seed companies. The penalties are categorised as minor, moderate, and major. While minor offenses will attract a written warning for the first offense and a fine of INR 50,000 for a repeat within three years, moderate offenses will levy a fine INR 100,000 for the first offense and INR 200,000 for a repeat within three years. Major offenses will attract a fine of INR 1 million for the first violation, INR 2 million for the second, and INR 3 million for repeated offenses within five years. Dealers may also face license revocation and/or imprisonment up to three years.

 

Officials of companies found guilty can also be held personally liable unless they prove due diligence or lack of knowledge of the offence. 

 

The agriculture ministry has sought public comments on the draft Seeds Bill, 2025, by Dec. 11. After consultations with stakeholders, the government may incorporate revisions before introducing the bill in Parliament for approval.  End

 

Reported by Pallavi Singhal

Edited by Ashish Shirke

 

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