New Seed Act 2026 and Revised Pesticide Act 2026 Explained
Why in the news
On 1 March 2026 Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced two reform laws at Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, to clean up the supply of seeds and pesticides.
Key facts
- New Seed Act 2026: every seed company must register with regulators before selling.
- QR codes: unique code on each packet reveals variety, origin, quality certificate and producer details.
- Penalty: up to ₹30 lakh, with imprisonment possible for selling fake or poor seeds on purpose.
- Revised Pesticide Act 2026 replaces the Insecticides Act, 1968.
| Feature | New Seed Act 2026 | Revised Pesticide Act 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Main aim | Transparency, quality control, accountability | Modern regulation; environmental and farmer safety; match international standards |
| Tool or change | Registration and QR codes | Replaces the 1968 law |
| Enforcement | Fine up to ₹30 lakh; jail for deliberate offences | Stronger quality control; stop spurious chemicals |
Significance
- Shields farmers from crop losses caused by bad inputs and can lift incomes.
- QR tracking brings digital accountability to the seed trade.
Exam angle
- Announced by: Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Place of announcement: Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.
- Law being replaced: Insecticides Act, 1968.
- Maximum seed penalty: ₹30 lakh.