Key Findings

  • A field study found that cotton hybrids with unapproved genetically modified (GM) traits were cultivated on 24–30% of India's cotton-growing area in 2025–26.
  • This amounts to about 26.2–29 lakh hectares out of India's total 114.8 lakh hectares under cotton.
  • The study flags a significant gap between approved GM cotton and actual field cultivation.

Unapproved GM Traits Detected

  • cp4-epsps: Confers tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate. It allows farmers to spray glyphosate without harming cotton.
  • Vip3A: Provides protection against a wider range of bollworm larvae than the currently approved Bt genes.

Approved GM Cotton in India

  • India permits commercial cultivation of GM cotton hybrids/varieties containing only cry1Ac and cry2Ab genes.
  • These genes are derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
  • They help cotton produce proteins toxic to certain bollworm pests.
  • Bt cotton is the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in India.

Regulatory Framework

  • The unapproved traits have not been cleared by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
  • GEAC functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
  • It assesses environmental safety of large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and genetically modified organisms in research and industry.
  • GM regulation in India is primarily governed by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Rules, 1989.
  • India is a party to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Why This Matters

  • Biosafety risk: Unapproved GM traits may affect non-target organisms, soil ecology, and biodiversity.
  • Herbicide use: Glyphosate-tolerant cotton can encourage indiscriminate herbicide spraying, leading to weed resistance and residue concerns.
  • Pest resistance: Wider use of unapproved Bt traits can accelerate resistance in bollworm populations.
  • Regulatory credibility: Widespread illegal cultivation undermines GEAC's approval process and biosafety oversight.
  • Farmers and seed supply: Farmers may access unapproved seeds through informal channels, raising issues of liability, seed quality, and traceability.

Way Forward

  • Strengthen field-level surveillance and enforcement against unapproved GM seeds.
  • Improve seed certification, labelling, and traceability.
  • Assess the agronomic and environmental impacts of cp4-epsps and Vip3A traits through regulated trials.
  • Enhance farmer awareness about approved GM varieties and biosafety rules.
  • Consider policy clarity on herbicide-tolerant crops, weed management, and sustainable pest control.