Insecticides Act, 1968

The Insecticides Act, 1968 is the existing statutory framework governing the manufacture, sale, transport, distribution, and use of insecticides/pesticides in India. It was enacted under Entry 33 of the Concurrent List (Schedule VII) of the Constitution, which covers trade and commerce in, and production, supply and distribution of, foodstuffs, including edible oilseeds and oils.

Key features of the 1968 Act: - Covers registration, manufacture, labelling, storage, transport, sale, and use of pesticides. - Established the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) as the regulatory authority for registration of new pesticides. - Penalties are mostly limited to fines and short imprisonment terms — widely criticised as inadequate. - Does not comprehensively address environmental impact, residue management, data protection, or digital tracking. - Does not explicitly regulate e-commerce sales of pesticides.