GEAC
India's GM Crop Regulatory Authority
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex statutory body for evaluating and approving the commercial release of genetically modified (GM) organisms in India. It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- GEAC was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989 (also known as the EPA Rules 1989 or the Hazardous Microorganisms Rules).
- The name was changed from "Genetic Engineering Approval Committee" to "Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee" in 2010, reflecting the shift from administrative approval to technical evaluation.
- Composition: co-chaired by a representative of MoEFCC and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT); members include scientists, domain experts, and civil society representatives.
- In 2026, the Union government amended the GEAC expert-member rules to require mandatory disclosure of conflicts of interest and recusal from relevant discussions.
- Final commercial release decisions rest with the GEAC, but state governments must consent before cultivation in their territory.
● Tracked since February 10, 2026 · last seen June 23, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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