India Ends Provisional Registration of Biostimulants: Only 146 Products Now Approved Under FCO, 9,352 Products Cancelled

11 September 2025, New Delhi: The Government of India has formally brought biostimulants under the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985, ending years of provisional approvals that had allowed thousands of products in the market.

How Regulation Began

Before biostimulants were included in the FCO, nearly 30,000 products were being sold in India without a clear regulatory framework. To address this, the government issued Notification No. S.O. 882 (E) on 23 February 2021, bringing biostimulants under the FCO with a new Clause 20C for quality regulation.

Biostimulants were defined as substances or micro-organisms that stimulate plant processes to improve nutrient uptake, yield, crop quality, and stress tolerance. They were classified into nine categories, including botanical extracts, bio-chemicals, protein hydrolysates, vitamins, microbial products, antioxidants, anti-transpirants, humic & fulvic acids, and live micro-organisms (excluding biofertilisers and biopesticides).

Provisional Registrations and Extensions

To give the industry time to generate data on efficacy, toxicity, and chemistry, the government introduced provisional registrations (G3 Certificates) in 2021. Over the years, more than 9,000 products were given such registrations.

The provisional registration timeline was as follows:

• 23 February 2021 – Biostimulants included under FCO.
• Valid till 23 February 2023 – Initial two-year validity for provisional certificates.
• Extended till 22 February 2024 – First extension.
• Extended till 22 February 2025 – Second extension.
• Extended till 16 June 2025 – Final extension on industry request.

No More Extensions Beyond June 2025

The Ministry of Agriculture has now made it clear that no further extensions will be given beyond 16 June 2025. From 17 June 2025 onwards, all 9,352 provisional registrations stand cancelled. To view the list of cancelled products, click here.

As of September 2025, only 146 biostimulant products have been fully approved and are now listed under Schedule VI of the FCO, 1985. 

Also Read: CNH to Establish New Tractor Manufacturing Plant in India as Part of Growth Strategy

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