The Union Agriculture Ministry has issued a draft order seeking a complete prohibition on paraquat dichloride, a widely used agricultural insecticide, citing unacceptable risks to human and animal health. The proposed ban covers manufacturing, import, transport, distribution, sale, and all use of the chemical.
Stakeholders have been given 30 days to submit objections or suggestions before the government issues a final notification. Once enforced, the order will render all existing registration certificates for paraquat dichloride null and void across India.
Registration Committee flagged fatality rates, lack of antidote
The decision follows a detailed review by the Registration Committee, constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968. After consultations, the committee concluded that the herbicide's continued use posed "likely risk to human beings and animals" warranting immediate intervention, according to the draft order.
Paraquat dichloride has been banned or severely restricted in more than 70 countries globally. The committee flagged several critical issues: documented adverse health effects, a persistent history of poisoning incidents with high fatality rates, and the absence of any specific antidote for the chemical.
All registration certificates to be cancelled
The Agriculture Ministry's draft explicitly states that all certificates of registration granted for paraquat dichloride under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act will be deemed cancelled from the date the final order takes effect. The Registration Committee has been directed to recall these certificates.
Certificate holders who fail to return the documents within three months of the order's issuance will face action under the provisions of the Act. State governments have been asked to implement the ban within their jurisdictions once the final notification is published.
Over 70 countries already restricted the herbicide
India's move aligns with a growing global consensus against paraquat dichloride. The herbicide, known for its effectiveness in controlling weeds, has faced mounting scrutiny over its toxicity. The European Union banned the chemical in 2007, while countries including Switzerland, Brazil, and China have imposed varying levels of restrictions.
In India, the chemical has been a subject of debate among agricultural scientists and public health experts for years. Poisoning cases, often accidental or linked to occupational exposure, have been reported across farming communities, with mortality rates remaining alarmingly high due to the lack of a specific antidote.
- Draft order issued: July 16, 2026 by Union Agriculture Ministry
- Public feedback window: 30 days from date of issuance
- Scope of ban: Manufacture, import, transport, distribution, sale, and use
- Global context: Already banned or restricted in 70+ countries
- Key concerns: High fatality rates in poisoning cases, no specific antidote
What the ban means for farmers and industry
Once the final order is notified, no person or entity will be permitted to import, manufacture, sell, transport, distribute, or use paraquat dichloride in India. The ban applies to all formulations and concentrations of the chemical.
Agricultural experts suggest farmers will need to transition to alternative herbicides and integrated pest management practices. The government has not yet announced any compensation or transition support for manufacturers or distributors who may be affected by the prohibition.
- July 16, 2026: Draft order issued by Union Agriculture Ministry
- August 15, 2026: Last date for submitting objections or suggestions
- Within 3 months of final order: Certificate holders must return registration documents
- Before: Paraquat dichloride was legally manufactured, sold, and used in India under registered certificates
- After: Complete prohibition on import, manufacture, transport, distribution, sale, and use; all registrations cancelled
Government cites 'immediate action' necessity
The draft order states that the central government, after considering the Registration Committee's report, is "satisfied that the use of Paraquat Dichloride insecticide is likely to involve risk to human beings and animals as to render it expedient or necessary to take immediate action." This language reflects the urgency with which the ministry has approached the matter.
The Insecticides Act, 1968, provides the legal framework for the ban. The government has invoked its powers under the Act to prohibit substances that pose significant health or environmental risks, even when they are already in commercial use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The draft order proposes a complete ban on the manufacture, import, transport, distribution, sale, and use of paraquat dichloride in India. Once the final order is issued, all these activities will be prohibited under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
The Union Agriculture Ministry has invited objections or suggestions from stakeholders within 30 days from July 16, 2026. The deadline for submissions is August 15, 2026.
The committee cited documented adverse health effects, a continued history of poisoning incidents with high fatality rates, the absence of a specific antidote, and the fact that the chemical is already banned or restricted in more than 70 countries.
All certificates of registration granted under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act will be deemed cancelled from the date the final order takes effect. Certificate holders must return them within three months or face legal action.
State governments have been directed to take all necessary steps under the Insecticides Act and its rules to ensure the order is enforced within their respective jurisdictions after the final notification is issued.
The draft order marks a significant regulatory shift for Indian agriculture, potentially affecting farming practices and the agrochemical industry. With public feedback open until mid-August, the final notification is expected to follow shortly after, closing a chapter on a herbicide that has been a staple in Indian fields for decades.
