Centre seeks feedback on draft Seeds Bill

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The North News

New Delhi, November 13

Union Agriculture Ministry has released a draft Seeds Bill for 2025, proposing an overhaul of the country’s seed regulation framework for the first time in nearly six decades. The draft law, prepared by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, seeks to replace the Seeds Act of 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order of 1983. Officials say the updated legislation reflects current agricultural, technological and regulatory needs.

Under the proposed Bill, the government aims to tighten oversight of seed quality, expand farmers’ access to reliable and affordable planting material, and curb the circulation of spurious or low-quality seeds—an issue that has repeatedly led to crop failures and financial losses for farmers. The draft also proposes liberalised seed imports, which officials say would help introduce global varieties and spur innovation in India’s seed sector. Provisions safeguarding farmers’ rights, along with measures to improve transparency and accountability across seed supply chains, form a core part of the proposal.

On enforcement, the Ministry has recommended decriminalising minor violations to ease compliance and support business growth, while retaining strong penalties for serious offences. The draft Bill and a prescribed feedback format have been made available on the Ministry’s website. Stakeholders and members of the public have been invited to submit comments by email, with the consultation window open until 11 December 2025. Submissions may be made in MS Word or PDF format.