The Indian government is planning a major update to its seed laws.
The draft Seeds Bill, 2025 has been released, aiming to make seed registration mandatory and impose hefty penalties for selling fake or substandard seeds.
Once approved, this law will replace the old Seeds Act of 1966 and bring modern reforms to protect farmers and improve crop yields.
Why India Needs a New Seeds Law
The existing law from 1966 covers only a few seed varieties and does not make registration mandatory.
This gap has allowed low-quality and fake seeds to flood the market.
Old penalties were tiny—just ₹1,000 fine or six months imprisonment, which is hardly a deterrent for large-scale violations. Previous attempts to modernize the law, including a 2004 Bill, never took off.
Meanwhile, over the past three years, 43,001 seed samples failed quality tests, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulations.
The Scale of Fake Seeds Problem
Between 2022 and 2025, authorities tested nearly 6 lakh seed samples, and many were substandard.
West Bengal accounted for 62% of failed samples.
Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh followed.
Actions by states included:
12,287 warnings issued
12,915 stop-sale orders
1,914 FIRs filed
164 seed forfeitures
With the Indian seed market valued at ₹40,000 crore and an annual demand of 48.2 lakh tonnes, fake seeds are a serious threat to farmers’ income and crop production.
Key Provisions of the Seeds Bill 2025
Mandatory Seed Registration
All seeds must be registered before sale, except farmers’ varieties or seeds for export.
Hefty Penalties
Violators can face fines up to ₹30 lakh and imprisonment of up to three years.
Minor Offences Decriminalized
Small errors will be treated leniently, focusing strict action on serious violations.
Quality Assurance & Farmer Protection
The Bill ensures farmers get reliable, high-quality seeds at fair prices, reducing losses from crop failure.
Liberalized Seed Imports
Farmers will gain access to high-performing international seeds, while safeguarding their rights.
What Happens Next?
The Agriculture Ministry is inviting public feedback until December 11, 2025.
After reviewing the suggestions, the Bill will be presented to the Cabinet and then to Parliament, likely in the Budget Session 2026.
If passed, the Seeds Bill 2025 could transform India’s seed sector, curb fake seeds, and protect farmers’ livelihoods nationwide.
