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The regulation and oversight of gene‑editingin crops in India are guided by a comprehensive biosafety framework established under the Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro‑organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989 (the “Rules, 1989”), which notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA). The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) administer the EPA.
Development of gene‑edited (GEd) plants is conducted under strict contained‑laboratory conditions until the plants are shown to be free of exogenously introduced DNA. During this phase, Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBSCs) exercise regulatory oversight, with information reported to the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM).
The regulatory oversight of GEd plant R&D is guided by the following:
1). Regulations and Guidelines for Recombinant DNA Research and Biocontainment, 2017
2). Handbook for Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBSC), 2020
3). The notification regarding the exemption of site-directed nuclease (SDN)-1 and SDN-2 categories of genome edited plants, which are free from exogenous introduced DNA, from the provisions of Rules 7 to 11 (both inclusive) of the Rules, 1989 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 issued by the MoEF&CC vide O.M. F. No. C -12013/3/2020-CS-III dated 30 March 2022. Furthermore, the subsequent development, evaluation, and release of a genome‑edited plant as a new variety or hybrid shall be governed in accordance with all other applicable laws, acts, and regulations.
4). Pursuant to the mentioned notification the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) notified following guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for research and development of gene-edited plants in India.
i). Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Genome Edited Plants, 2022
ii). Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Regulatory Review of Genome Edited Plants under SDN-1 and SDN-2 Categories, 2022
In line with the regulation, investigators who have produced GEd plants free of exogenous DNA and wish to move them out of containment must submit the lab‑generated regulatory data to their IBSC seeking exemption from Rules 7‑11 of the Rules, 1989. After satisfactory review by the IBSC and acceptance of the minutes of the meeting of the IBSC by the RCGM, the IBSC conveys the exemption decision to the applicant. This mechanism aligns with international practice by distinguishing gene‑edited plants lacking foreign DNA from conventional genetically engineered plants while maintaining biosafety oversight.
Category wise numbers of Biosafety Laboratories (BSL) registered with DBT is placed below.
| Level of Biosafety Facility | Number of Laboratories |
| BSL-1 | Laboratories of this type are deemed to be at the lowest risk level. They are utilized for the study of non‑pathogenic microorganisms that present only a minimal hazard to healthy adults. In such environments, standard microbiological practices together with basic personal protective equipment (including lab coats and, where necessary, gloves), hand‑washing facilities, and easily cleanable work surfaces are required. |
| BSL-2 | 750 nos. |
| BSL-3 | 89 nos. |
| BSL-4 | 01 nos. |
The crops currently being gene‑edited in these laboratories include, a wide range of species such as cotton, rice, sorghum, mung bean, banana, gerbera, saffron, tea, stevia, potato, onion, mustard, maize, pearl millet, foxtail millet, finger millet, ginger, chilli, cucumber, muskmelon, wheat, eucalyptus, pigeon pea, rice bean, groundnut, chickpea, soybean, tobacco, cauliflower, yellow sarson, rubber, apple, brinjal, sesame, papaya,ashwagandha, Artemisia annua, Coleus forskohlii, tulasi, Cannabis sativa, sunflower, urad bean, castor, sugarcane, jute, flax, Salvia officinalis, Ophiorrhiza, citrus, grass pea, lentil, black pepper, okra, and tomato. Institution wise containment facilities and details of crops undergoing gene-editing is placed as Annexure-1.
During the period 2020-2025, one incidence of lab-acquired infectionhas been reported. A doctoral student of National Centre for Cell Sciences, Pune was exposed occupationally to vaccinia virus in a biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory. Compete details of this occupational incidence is available in a public domain at https://nccs.sciencecentral.in/990/#:~:text=Atom%20RSS%201.0%20RSS%202.0,sciencecentral.in/cgi/oai2
All organizations including private entities are required to constitute and register IBSC with DBT before commencing research and development activities involving genetic engineering including gene-editing.
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NKR/AK
Annexure-1
Institution/Organization wise containment facility, and details of crops undergoing Gene-editing
| S.
N. |
Institute/ Organisation | Containment facility | Crop |
|
|
AgriGenome Labs Pvt. Ltd, Kochi | BSL-1 | Rice, Tomato |
|
|
Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Groundnut |
|
|
Ajeet Seeds Pvt. Ltd., Aurangabad | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Cotton, Okra, Brinjal, Soybean, Tomato, Tobacco |
|
|
Anand Agricultural University, Anand | BSL-1 | Tomato |
|
|
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Banana, Rice, Soybean, Ophiorrhiza plant |
|
|
Bharathiar University, Coimbatore | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Salvia officinalis |
|
|
Bioseed Research India, Hyderabad | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Cotton, Rice |
|
|
Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Sorghum |
|
|
BRIC-Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Tomato |
|
|
BRIC-National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute , Mohali | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Wheat, Pea, Pearl millet |
|
|
BRIC-National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Rice, Mustard, Tomato, Chickpea, Groundnut, Cauliflower, Yellow Sarson, Ricebean |
|
|
Central University of Haryana, Mahendragarh | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Soybean |
|
|
Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Mungbean (Vignaradiata), Rice |
|
|
College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara | BSL-1 | Banana, Rice |
|
|
College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani | BSL-1 | Banana |
|
|
CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow | BSL-1 | Tomato, Tobacco, Withania somnifera, Artemisia annua, Coleus Forskohlii,
Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum sanctum, Cannabis sativa |
|
|
CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Nicotianatabacum, Cannabis sativa |
|
|
CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus), Saffron, Tea, Stevia,
Potato |
|
|
CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Tomato |
|
|
CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Rice |
|
|
E.I. Dupont India Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad | BSL-1 | Rice |
|
|
Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, Gandhinagar | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Potato |
|
|
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Rice |
|
|
ICAR – Indian Institute of Groundnut Research, Junagadh | BSL-1 | Groundnut |
|
|
ICAR Indian Institute of Maize Research, New Delhi | BSL-1 | Maize |
|
|
ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur | BSL-1 | Citrus aurantifolia |
|
|
ICAR-Central Institute For Cotton Research, Nagpur | BSL-1 | Cotton |
|
|
ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla | BSL-1 | Potato |
|
|
ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibers, Kolkata | BSL-1 | Jute, Flax |
|
|
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal | BSL-1 | Wheat, Mustard, Rice |
|
|
ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune | BSL-1 | Onion |
|
|
ICAR-Directorate of Rapeseed & Mustard Research, Bharatpur | BSL-1 | Mustard |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Rice, Maize, Pearl millet, Foxtail millet, Finger millet, Mustard, Tomato |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi | BSL-1 | Soybean, Groundnut, Cotton, Sunflower, Urad bean, Rice, Maize |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore | BSL-1 | Papaya, Chilli |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Maize |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad | BSL-1 | Pearl millet, Sorghum |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad | BSL-1 | Castor, Sunflower, Sesame |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur | BSL-1 | Grasspea (Lathyrussativus), Pigeon pea, Urad bean, Chickpea, Lentil |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad | BSL-1 | Rice |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore | BSL-1 | Soybean |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Ginger, Black pepper |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow | BSL-1 | Sugarcane |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Chilli, Cucumber, Muskmelon, Tomato |
|
|
ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal | BSL-1 | Wheat |
|
|
ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources New Delhi | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Sesame, Linseed |
|
|
ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Soybean |
|
|
ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli | BSL-1 | Banana |
|
|
ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Rice |
|
|
ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore | BSL-1 | Sugarcane |
|
|
ICAR-Vivekananda ParvatiyaKrishiAnushandhanSansthan, Almora | BSL-1 | Maize |
|
|
Indian Institute of Science and Education and Research, Tirupati | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Rice, Tomato, Groundnut |
|
|
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, Pune | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Potato |
|
|
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram | BSL-1 | Rice |
|
|
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Pea, Wheat |
|
|
Institute of Forest genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore | BSL-1 | Eucalyptus |
|
|
International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Saffron, Cotton, Pigeon Pea, Rice, Rice bean, Tomato |
|
|
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Groundnut, Pearl millet, Pigeon pea, Chickpea, Sorghum, Foxtail millet |
|
|
ITC Life Sciences & Technology Centre, ITC Ltd., Bangalore | BSL-1 | Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Soybean (Glycine max), Tobacco |
|
|
Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Tomato |
|
|
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Tomato, Rice |
|
|
Mahyco Private Limited, Mumbai | BSL-1 | Rice |
|
|
Metahelix Life Sciences Ltd., Bangalore | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Maize |
|
|
Micro CRISPR Private Limited, Valsad | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Tomato, Wheat, Mustard, Rice, Soybean |
|
|
National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Rice |
|
|
National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Wheat, Mustard, Rice, Pigeon pea, Finger millet, Chickpea |
|
|
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Sorghum, Foxtail Millet, Wheat |
|
|
Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Ernakulam | BSL-1 | Foxtail millet |
|
|
Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Rice, Chickpea |
|
|
Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam | BSL-1 | Rubber |
|
|
Sharda University, Greater Noida | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Mustard |
|
|
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar | BSL-1 | Apple |
|
|
Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan university, Bhubaneswar | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Rice |
|
|
South Asian University, Delhi | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Rice |
|
|
SRM University, Kattankulathur | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Tobacco |
|
|
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Rice, Tomato, Brinjal, Sesame |
|
|
Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Bangalore | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Finger millet, Rice |
|
|
The Energy and Resource Institute, New Delhi | BSL-1 | Potato, Mustard |
|
|
University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore | BSL-1 | Potato |
|
|
University of Delhi North Campus, Delhi | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Mustard |
|
|
University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Tomato, Rice, Papaya, Mustard |
|
|
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad | BSL-1 and BSL-2 | Tomato |
