Draft Seeds Bill 2025 Proposes Fine Up to Rs 30 Lakh, Jail Term for Violations; Aims to Ensure Seed Quality and Farmer Protection

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has released the draft Seeds Bill 2025, proposing sweeping reforms to improve seed quality, safeguard farmers’ interests, and modernize India’s seed sector. The ministry has invited suggestions from stakeholders on the draft’s provisions by December 11, 2025. Once enacted, the Bill will replace the Seeds Act, 1966, and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983.

The proposed legislation seeks to ensure that farmers have access to high-quality seeds at affordable prices, curb the sale of spurious and substandard seeds, and promote innovation, research, and seed imports under regulated conditions to enhance crop productivity.

Under the draft Bill, a National Seed Committee will be constituted to advise the government on policy, regulation, and seed quality matters. It also mandates adherence to environmental and biosafety standards for genetically modified (GM) seeds, ensuring that innovations do not compromise ecological safety.

A new mechanism for speedy dispute resolution will handle seed-related complaints by farmers, ensuring timely compensation and accountability.

Mandatory Seed Registration and Quality Certification
The Bill makes prior registration of all seed varieties mandatory before sale or distribution. No seed distributor, producer, or seller will be allowed to operate without a valid license. Farmers, however, will retain the freedom to save, use, exchange, and sell seeds from their own harvests without registration. If seeds fail to perform as per the company’s claims, farmers will be entitled to compensation.

Seed producers must guarantee the quality, purity, and germination rate of seeds. Authorized certification agencies will monitor and certify compliance with prescribed standards. Proper labeling—including seed variety, source, quality, and germination percentage—will be mandatory to ensure transparency for buyers.

The Bill also proposes establishing modern seed testing laboratories and allows regulated seed imports to prevent the entry of inferior or contaminated varieties.

Penalties and Legal Provisions
Chapter 9 of the draft introduces a graded penalty system to balance strict enforcement with ease of doing business. It also seeks to decriminalize minor offenses to reduce regulatory burdens on seed companies.

The penalties are categorized as minor, moderate, and major.
Minor offenses: A written warning for the first offense and a fine of ₹50,000 for a repeat within three years.
Moderate offenses: A fine of ₹1 lakh for the first offense and ₹2 lakh for a repeat within three years.
Major offenses: A fine of ₹10 lakh for the first violation, ₹20 lakh for the second, and ₹30 lakh for repeated offenses within five years. Dealers may also face license revocation and/or imprisonment up to three years.

With court approval, an offender can compound the offense by paying twice the maximum fine. The Central Government may further enhance penalties if required.

If a company is found guilty, responsible officials will also be held liable unless they prove due diligence or lack of knowledge about the violation. The government will have the authority to confiscate substandard seeds.

Moreover, no court will take cognizance of any offense unless a designated seed inspector files a complaint, ensuring procedural oversight and fairness.

Transparency, Oversight, and Farmers’ Rights
The draft empowers the Central Government to regulate or ban specific seed varieties in the public interest. Seed inspectors will be authorized to take samples, seize suspicious consignments, and send them for laboratory testing.

It also guarantees intellectual property rights (IPR) for breeders of new seed varieties, encouraging innovation while ensuring transparent record-keeping and regular audits for seed companies.