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The Union Government has introduced the Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 to modernise India’s seed regulatory system and replace the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983. The proposed law seeks to address long-standing regulatory gaps, improve seed quality, curb the sale of spurious seeds, and align the legal framework with the evolving needs of Indian agriculture.

Why a new law was needed?

The Seeds Act, 1966 regulates only notified varieties, and registration of seeds has not been mandatory. Several categories such as green manure seeds, plantation crops, and certain commercial crops remained outside its ambit. Moreover, penalties under the old law were minimal a maximum of six months’ imprisonment and a fine of ?1,000 offering little deterrence in a rapidly expanding and commercialised seed market.

Concerns about the prevalence of substandard and fake seeds have grown in recent years. Between 2022 and 2025, authorities tested nearly six lakh seed samples, of which over 43,000 were found non-standard, prompting warnings, stop-sale orders, and legal cases. These trends highlighted the need for a stronger regulatory architecture.

India’s Seed Sector Context

India’s annual seed requirement for 2024–25 is estimated at about 48 lakh tonnes, while availability exceeds demand. The seed market is valued at roughly ?40,000 crore. Over 3,000 new crop varieties have been released in the past decade, with the public sector contributing the majority, though private participation is rising. This expansion has increased the need for quality assurance, traceability, and uniform standards.

Key Provisions of the Draft Seeds Bill, 2025

A central feature of the Bill is mandatory registration of all seed varieties before sale, except for traditional farmers’ varieties and seeds meant exclusively for export. New varieties must undergo Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) testing across multiple locations to establish performance and suitability. Only seeds meeting prescribed standards of germination, genetic purity, and quality can enter the market.

The Bill also strengthens market regulation and traceability. Seed dealers must obtain registration from state authorities, and seed containers will carry QR codes linked to a central seed traceability portal to enable tracking across the supply chain. A Central Accreditation System is proposed to allow nationally accredited entities to operate across states, reducing multiple approvals.

Penalties are significantly enhanced. Minor violations attract monetary fines, while major offences such as selling spurious or unregistered seeds can lead to fines up to ?30 lakh and imprisonment up to three years. The government states that this will deter malpractice while protecting farmers.

The Bill affirms farmers’ rights to save, use, exchange, and sell farm-saved seeds, provided they are not marketed under a brand name. New central and state seed committees are envisaged to oversee implementation.

Concerns and Criticisms

Despite its reform intent, the Bill has drawn criticism from farmer groups and civil society. A major concern is the absence of a simple compensation mechanism for farmers affected by crop failure due to faulty seeds, leaving them dependent on lengthy legal processes.

Community seed keepers, such as Farmer Producer Organisations and traditional seed networks, may be treated as commercial entities, increasing compliance burdens. Critics argue that VCU testing norms may favouruniform hybrid varieties produced by large firms, potentially marginalisingindigenous and climate-resilient varieties. Digital compliance requirements, including QR tracking and online reporting, could also disadvantage small, resource-poor stakeholders.

Some experts also caution that recognition of foreign testing data may ease the entry of imported or genetically engineered seeds without robust domestic scrutiny.

Conclusion

The Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 represents a significant attempt to modernise India’s seed governance by emphasising quality control, traceability, and stricter penalties. However, its ultimate effectiveness will depend on balancing regulatory oversight with farmers’ rights, biodiversity conservation, and equitable access, ensuring that reform strengthens both productivity and sustainability in Indian agriculture.