India’s Experts Call for an Overhaul of GM & Genome‑Edited Crop Regulations

Last week a small but influential gathering of scientists, seed industry leaders and policy makers took place in New Delhi. The Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), together with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), set the stage for a frank discussion about India’s biotech road‑map.

What emerged was a clear, almost unanimous, call: India’s regulatory framework for genetically modified (GM) and genome‑edited (GE) crops needs a makeover—one that is transparent, efficient and, above all, rooted in solid science. As one participant put it, “we can’t keep using the same old playbook while the technology leaps forward at lightning speed.”

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, which released the roundtable’s statement, echoed that sentiment. It stressed that any new system must still protect biosafety and the environment, but it should also be “risk‑proportionate” and time‑bound, allowing both public and private innovators to move forward without getting lost in red tape.

India already has a multi‑tiered oversight structure—think the Department of Biotechnology’s Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, the Food Safety and Standards Authority, and several ministries. Yet, as experts noted, rapid advances such as CRISPR‑based editing and shifting global standards make it clear the old framework is beginning to feel a bit… prehistoric.

Dr. M.L. Jat, Director‑General of ICAR and Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), summed up the challenge nicely: “We need a balanced system that lets us harness modern biotechnologies for food security and climate resilience, without compromising safety.” His words were echoed by TAAS Chairman Dr. R.S. Paroda, who reminded everyone that India possesses the scientific talent to become a world leader in agricultural biotechnology—if only the policy environment catches up.

Among the concrete suggestions were: establishing clear timelines for approvals, creating a dedicated pathway for genome‑edited crops that differentiates them from traditional transgenics, and setting up a transparent public portal where stakeholders can track progress. The hope is that these steps will translate into faster field trials, higher farmer incomes, and crops better equipped to face drought, floods or pest pressure.

The roundtable’s recommendations will now be compiled into a policy brief and sent to the relevant ministries and regulatory bodies. If adopted, they could pave the way for a more agile, evidence‑based approach that balances innovation with safety—a win‑win for Indian agriculture and the millions who depend on it.