13 August 2026, New Delhi: India’s Registration Committee (RC) has decided that the use of glyphosate should be restricted and carried out through trained personnel or Pest Control Operators (PCOs), citing concerns over occupational hazards and the prevention of misuse.
The decision was taken at the 474th meeting of India’s Registration Committee, held on July 30, 2026, under the chairmanship of Dr. P. K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner and Chairman, Registration Committee, at the PPA Secretariat of the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (DPPQS), Faridabad.
The RC considered a report submitted by an expert group constituted by India’s Plant Protection Adviser to undertake a scientific evaluation of new evidence and recent submissions made by pesticide associations concerning glyphosate.
Glyphosate issue remains sub judice
According to the minutes, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is reviewing the issue in accordance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court. The RC noted that the matter remains sub judice.
After examining the expert group’s report and holding detailed scientific deliberations, the committee referred to its earlier consideration of glyphosate and applied the precautionary principle in reaching its latest position.
The RC stated that it could not find sufficient scientific justification for the continued use of glyphosate without restrictions.
Final decision rests with Agriculture Ministry
The committee decided that glyphosate use should be restricted and that its application should be undertaken through trained personnel or PCOs to reduce occupational risks and prevent misuse.
The RC has directed the Secretary of the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC) to communicate the decision to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for taking an appropriate final view.
The minutes therefore record a regulatory recommendation and decision of the Registration Committee, rather than an immediate nationwide ban on glyphosate. The final position will depend on the subsequent decision of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The 474th RC meeting was attended by senior officials and experts from the DPPQS, ICAR, the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee and other institutions.
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