SC Directs Formulation of National GM Crop Policy

What Happened

History & Context

What Changed

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  BEFORE: India lacked a comprehensive, overarching national policy on GM crops, relying instead on case-by-case approvals by the GEAC under the 1989 hazardous microorganism rules. NOW: The central government is mandated by the Supreme Court to formulate a distinct, comprehensive National GM Crop Policy.

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  BEFORE: Public consultation and transparency mechanisms in GEAC's approval process for GM crops like DMH-11 were heavily criticized by activists as inadequate and opaque. NOW: The Supreme Court directive explicitly mandates that transparency and public consultation must be core components of the new policy framework.

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  BEFORE: There was a severe regulatory deadlock, with the commercial release of GM mustard stalled in the courts despite receiving environmental clearance from the GEAC. NOW: The formulation of a science-based national policy is intended to resolve these judicial deadlocks and create a predictable pathway for GM crop evaluation.