The Department of Agriculture & Farmers welfare, Ministry of Agriculutre and Farmers Welfare, has prepared a draft Seeds Bill, 2025 in alignment with current requirements. It is intended to replace the present Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983. The Union Agriculture Ministry released the draft Seeds Bill on November 12, 2025 for public comments utnil December 11, 2025. Overview of New Seed Bill The legislation is expected to regulate the quality of seeds and planting materials and ensure the availability of quality seeds for farmers; curb the sale of spurious and poor quality seeds; liberalize imports of seeds and planting materials besides protecting the rights of the farmers. Provides a regulatory mechanism in the area of import, production and supply of quality seeds. No restriction for farmers to grow, sow, re-sow, save, use, exchange, share or sell their farm seeds, except when such seed or planting material is sold under a brand name. Defines entities/stakeholders (farmer, dealer, distributor and producer) and their roles with respect to production, distribution, trade and use of seeds. Etablishment of 27-member Central and 15-member State seed committees. The Central seed committee can recommend the minimum limits of germination, genetic and physical purity, traits, seed health and additional standards of seeds to the Union Government. The State Seed Committee can advise the State Government on registration of seed producers, seed processing units, seed dealers, distributors and plant nurseries. All seed processing units must be registered with the State governments based on the provisions in the proposed legislation. A Centralised Accreditation System for companies operating in multiple states to be evolved to promote ease of doing business. Office of Registrar to be established to keep a National Register on seed varieties under the Central seed committee. Details of the procedure for conducting field trials to assess the Value for Cultivation and Use of any kind or variety is provided in the draft Bill. Seed traceability provisions mandatory via QR codes for transparency. On the enforcement side, the proposed Seeds Bill aims to decriminalize petty offences, thereby promoting Ease of Doing Business and reducing the compliance burden, while simultaneously ensuring an effective mechanism to penalize serious offences. Offenses are classified into trivial, minor, and major categories, with corresponding penalties. Sale of substandard seeds could attract imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to ₹30 lakh. Farmers eligible for compensation if a registered seed doesnt perform as promised. To read the complete Seed Bill 2025, click here.