Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2026 aligned with Jan Vishwas Act
The Agriculture Ministry told Lok Sabha on 28 July 2026 that the draft Pesticides Management Bill has been prepared in line with current needs and the Jan Vishwas Act. It was sent to Ministries and States on 30 December 2025 and put out for public comment on 7 January 2026. It is meant to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968.
- Released
- 28 Jul 2026, Lok Sabha reply, Agriculture Ministry
- Drafted by
- Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Replaces
- Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971
- Consultation
- to Ministries and States 30 Dec 2025; public 7 Jan 2026
- Comments deadline
- 4 February 2026
- Aligned with
- Jan Vishwas Act
The draft Pesticides Management Bill: what happened?
The draft Bill has two aims, the January release says: ensure a supply of quality pesticides for farmers, and decriminalise petty offences. That second aim is the Jan Vishwas approach of easing compliance for honest businesses.
- Comments came from States, Ministries, pesticide makers and dealers, farmers and NGOs, including on data protection.
- The January release lists features: transparency and traceability, digital processes and higher penalties for spurious pesticides.
- Offences can be compounded, with penalties to be defined by State-level authorities.
- Testing laboratories must be accredited.
What is the Jan Vishwas idea?
- Decriminalising petty offences to promote ease of living and ease of doing business, which the January release names as an aim of this Bill.
Why does the draft Pesticides Management Bill matter?
- Agriculture: Quality pesticides protect farm income.
- Regulation: Replaces a law from 1968 with a modern framework.
What can Prelims ask on the draft Pesticides Management Bill?
- Draft Pesticides Management Bill to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968.
- Public comments invited from 7 January 2026.
- Mandatory accreditation of testing laboratories.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-07-28): the draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2026, aligned with the Jan Vishwas Act, was circulated to Ministries and States on 30 Dec 2025 for comments.
- The Bill has to protect farmers from spurious pesticides without burdening honest firms.
Quotable data pointThe draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2026, aligned with the Jan Vishwas Act, was circulated to Ministries and States on 30 Dec 2025 for comments.
PIB: Agriculture: Pesticides Management Bill, 28 Jul 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: Insecticides Act 1968.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The draft Pesticides Management Bill is meant to replace the
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (Agriculture), 7 Jan 2026 and 28 Jul 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What will the Pesticides Management Bill replace?
The Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
What is the status of the Bill?
It is a draft. It was circulated to Ministries and States on 30 December 2025 and put out for public comment on 7 January 2026; many suggestions have been received.
How does it deal with spurious pesticides?
The January 2026 release says it has stricter control through higher penalties, traceability and accredited testing laboratories.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Agriculture: Pesticides Management Bill, 28 Jul 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending