185 New Seed Varieties Released, Cotton Stays Bt-II
Why in the news
On 1 January 2026 the Centre rolled out roughly 185 improved seed types to lift farm output and food security.
Key facts
- ~185 varieties and hybrids cleared for farming and commercial sale.
- Crops: rice, maize, cotton, millets, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane.
- All cotton seeds in the batch are Bt-II hybrids, signalling policy continuity with no new biotech trait.
- India is the second-largest cotton producer, behind China.
Bt-I versus Bt-II
| Feature | Bt-I | Bt-II |
|---|---|---|
| Genes | One (Cry1Ac) | Two (Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab) |
| Resistance | Worked at first; pests later adapted | Wider and longer-lasting protection against bollworms |
Background
Bt-II is second-generation Bt cotton, a genetically modified hybrid. Its genes come from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which lets the plant make toxins that kill pests, notably the American bollworm.
Exam angle
- Bt-II genes: Cry1Ac + Cry2Ab.
- Pest targeted: American bollworm.