The Insecticides Act, 1968
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare / Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare
Act details
| Short title | The Insecticides Act, 1968 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to regulate the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of insecticides with a view to prevent risk to human beings or animals, and for matters connected therewith. |
| Act number | 46 of 1968 |
| Act year | 1968 |
| Enactment date | 2 Sep 1968 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare / Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare |
| Department | Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 39 |
| Schedules | 1 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 3 Nov 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of The Insecticides Act, 1968
Key Provisions
1. Regulatory Structure
• Central Insecticides Board (CIB): Advises on technical aspects.
• Registration Committee: Oversees registration based on safety, efficacy, and environmental impact.
2. Compliance Mandates
• Registration: Mandatory for insecticides before import/manufacture, ensuring they meet specified standards.
• Licensing: Required for manufacturing, selling, and using insecticides, issued by Licensing Officers.
3. Restrictions and Prohibitions
• Prohibits unregistered, misbranded, or harmful insecticides.
• Specifies safe handling, storage, transport, and application practices.
4. Enforcement and Monitoring
• Insecticide Inspectors: Authorized to inspect, seize, and prosecute non-compliant activities.
• Insecticide Analysts: Conduct tests to verify compliance.
5. Penal Provisions
• Offences: Manufacturing, selling, or using banned substances.
• Penalties: Imprisonment (up to 2 years for first offences) and fines (up to ₹50,000), with provisions for special courts.
6. Exemptions
• Limited Use: Exemptions for personal/household use and small gardens.
• Research and Education: Conditional exemptions for institutions.
7. Administrative Powers
• Central & State Governments: Empowered to make rules, delegate authority, and grant exemptions.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Insecticides Act, 1968
● Act Title - The Insecticides Act, 1968
● Act Number / Year - 46 of 1968
● Act ID (India Code) - 196846
● Presidential Assent Date - September 2, 1968
● Enforcement Date - March 1, 1971
● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Public Health & Agricultural Safety - Enacted following recommendations of the Thacker Committee (1964) set up to investigate pesticide toxicity risks, aimed at regulating the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution, and use of insecticides to prevent risk to human beings and animals.
● Standardization & Quality Regulation - Formulated to establish a Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee to mandate compulsory registration, quality control, toxicity testing, and safety labeling of insecticidal formulations before commercial distribution.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation - Introduced by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Community Development and Cooperation to establish a statutory framework governing the lifecycle of chemical pesticides and agrochemicals.
● Parliamentary Passage - Debated extensively in both Houses of Parliament (Fourth Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and referred to a Joint Committee before being passed in August 1968.
● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on September 2, 1968.
● Enforcement - Enforced on March 1, 1971 .
Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.