Context:
Right now, Bt cotton is the only genetically modified crop allowed to be grown in the country. GM mustard got conditional approval in 2022, but it hasn’t been rolled out yet because of legal challenges.
Supreme Court developments
- The Supreme Court will begin hearing the GM mustard case from April 15, 2025.
- All sides have been asked to submit their written arguments within a week.
- Earlier, a two-judge bench gave a split verdict on the issue and also asked the Centre to create a national policy for GM crops.
Government and policy efforts
- The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has been giving technical advice to the Environment Ministry to help frame this policy.
- Science Minister Jitendra Singh said India needs to think ahead and not hold back on biotech progress.
- The government’s BioE3 policy aims to use biotechnology in agriculture, medicine, and industry.
Safety concerns and opposition
- GM mustard was developed using public money, but concerns raised by activist groups over safety and environmental impact have stalled it.
Bio-economy snapshot in India
- According to a DBT report, India’s bio-economy is worth about $165.7 billion.
- Bio-agriculture makes up a small part of this — around $13.5 billion.
- The main drivers in this area are GM crops like Bt cotton and new precision agriculture techniques.
