Draft Seeds Bill, 2025
Context:
The Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has released the draft Seeds Bill, 2025, for public consultation.
This is a renewed attempt after previous draft Bills in 2004 and 2019 failed to pass
The government has invited comments and suggestions from all stakeholders and the public by December 11, 2025
What does it Replaces?
The new draft Bill is intended to replace the existing Seeds Act, 1966.
It also seeks to replace the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 and Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 to align with modern agricultural needs.
Key Provisions:
Protection of Farmer Rights
Farmers retain the right to grow, sow, resow, save, use, exchange, and sell farm seeds even of registered varieties.
Farmers are exempted from penalties.
Registration of Seed Varieties
Every seed variety (except farmers’ varieties and export-only varieties) must be registered before sale.
Seed Certification System:
States may establish Seed Certification Agencies
Certification may also be done by accredited organizations, including foreign agencies
Central Seed Committee (CSC)
Responsible for
seed policy
registration standards
import norms
certification protocols
Committee Includes representatives from ICAR, PPV&FR Authority, National Biodiversity Authority, State governments and farmers.
Key Objectives
To regulate the quality of seeds and planting materials available in the market
To ensure farmers' access to high-quality seeds at affordable rates, curb the sale of spurious seeds, and protect farmers from losses
To liberalise seed imports to promote innovation and access to global varieties
Every seed dealer must obtain a registration certificate from the State government to sell, import, or export seeds
The Bill provides for the regulation of seed sales to ensure varieties conform to the minimum standards of germination, genetic purity, and physical purity specified in the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards
Enforcement and Penalties
The draft Bill proposes to decriminalise minor offences to promote Ease of Doing Business and reduce compliance burden
It maintains strong provisions to effectively penalise serious violations.