India approves confined field trials for GM maize
India’s GEAC has approved confined field trials for genetically modified maize, cotton, and pigeon pea. Bayer will test herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant maize hybrids. Trials will assess agronomic traits, pest resistance, and environmental impact. These regulated trials aim to gather data for future decisions on GM crop commercialization, balancing innovation and safety.
INDIA – India’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has approved new confined field trials for genetically modified (GM) maize.
The approval, announced following the GEAC’s 155th meeting on June 9, 2025, marks another step in India’s cautious progress in evaluating genetically engineered maize within regulated environments.
The move grants Bayer Crop Science permission to test herbicide-tolerant NK603 and insect-resistant MON89034 maize hybrids across selected Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes and State Agricultural Universities.
The trials will specifically assess glyphosate potassium salt weed control on NK603 maize and evaluate MON89034’s resistance to targeted insect pests under confined field conditions.
Researchers will also collect data on protein expression levels from the modified genes in different plant parts throughout the crop cycle while comparing the GM maize hybrids’ agronomic performance against conventional varieties under Indian field conditions.
Additionally, scientists will monitor interactions with non-target insects, soil health impact, and overall plant development to evaluate environmental and agronomic safety comprehensively.
“Conducting these confined field trials is part of the regulatory process to understand the traits in real growing conditions,” noted a senior official involved in the approvals.
Cotton and Pigeon Pea trials also approved
While maize trials take the lead, the GEAC also approved confined field testing for transgenic cotton and pigeon pea as part of India’s broader GM crop research agenda.
Rasi Seeds Pvt. Ltd. has secured approval for confined field trials of transgenic cotton hybrids RIRC304 and RIRC-304×MON15985, developed for pest resistance to safeguard cotton yields. These trials will follow strict biosafety protocols in designated research sites.
Similarly, ICAR’s National Institute for Plant Biotechnology has received permission to test four genetically modified pigeon pea lines targeting pod borer resistance, addressing a critical challenge in pulse productivity across India.
The latest approvals align with India’s science-based approach to agricultural innovation, following earlier GEAC decisions that allowed Rallis India Limited to conduct trials of GM maize and stacked cotton hybrids across sites in Karnataka and Haryana during 2022 and 2023. These earlier trials proceeded after state governments issued the required No Objection Certificates.
“The Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) may issue permit letters and monitor confined field trials to ensure compliance with prescribed terms and conditions,” the committee emphasized.
These trials will generate critical data to inform future regulatory decisions on the potential commercial release of GM maize and other crops in India, as the country balances food security, farmer profitability, and environmental considerations within its evolving biotechnology landscape.
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Source : Milling MEA
