Agriculture & FoodImportant2025-03-15

SC Directs Formulation of National GM Crop Policy

In News

What Happened

On March 15, 2025, the Supreme Court of India directed the central government to formulate a comprehensive national policy on Genetically Modified (GM) crops. The court emphasized the necessity for a science-based regulatory framework, transparency, and mandatory public consultation. This directive aims to resolve the ongoing deadlock regarding the commercial release of GM food crops, specifically focusing on Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11).

Why It Matters

This ruling is critical for India's agricultural future as it mandates a clear, uniform national stance on GM crops, balancing food security needs with environmental and health safety concerns. It will provide much-needed regulatory certainty for agricultural scientists and biotechnology companies while addressing the long-standing apprehensions of environmentalists and farming communities.

Background

History & Context

India's regulatory framework for GM crops operates under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, with the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) serving as the apex statutory body. While Bt Cotton was approved for commercial cultivation in 2002, GM food crops like Bt Brinjal and GM Mustard have faced intense opposition. The approval of GM mustard (DMH-11) by GEAC in 2022 led to a Supreme Court stay and prolonged litigation over the adequacy of biosafety testing and potential impacts on indigenous crop diversity.

What Changed

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BEFORE: India lacked a comprehensive, overarching national policy on GM crops, relying instead on case-by-case approvals by the GEAC under the 1989 hazardous microorganism rules. NOW: The central government is mandated by the Supreme Court to formulate a distinct, comprehensive National GM Crop Policy.
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BEFORE: Public consultation and transparency mechanisms in GEAC's approval process for GM crops like DMH-11 were heavily criticized by activists as inadequate and opaque. NOW: The Supreme Court directive explicitly mandates that transparency and public consultation must be core components of the new policy framework.
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BEFORE: There was a severe regulatory deadlock, with the commercial release of GM mustard stalled in the courts despite receiving environmental clearance from the GEAC. NOW: The formulation of a science-based national policy is intended to resolve these judicial deadlocks and create a predictable pathway for GM crop evaluation.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event directly connects to Class 12 Biology Chapter 12, 'Biotechnology and its Applications', which discusses the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture to increase yields and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. The chapter highlights ethical issues and introduces the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) as the body responsible for making decisions regarding the validity of GM research and the safety of introducing GMOs.

Practice Questions

Q1

With Reference To

With reference to the regulation of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. India is a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which governs the international movement of living modified organisms. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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