The Centre on Tuesday issued a draft notification proposing a nationwide ban on paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide, with immediate effect. The move marks a significant step after years of calls from toxicologists, doctors and agricultural experts for its prohibition. Although paraquat has already been banned in more than 70 countries—including those where it was originally developed and manufactured—it continued to be legally used in Indian agriculture.
The draft notification was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, according to Kisan Tak, India Today Digital's sister platform.
The development comes days after sources in the ministry informed Kisan Tak Editor Om Prakash that a proposal to ban paraquat across the country had been submitted to the Agriculture Ministry and was expected to receive approval this week.
Paraquat dichloride, one of the world's most controversial herbicides, has been prohibited in many countries because of concerns over its toxicity, yet remained available in the Indian market.
Invoking Section 27 of the Insecticides Act, 1968, the Centre has proposed prohibiting the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of paraquat dichloride.
The proposed ban could also pave the way for a broader review of hazardous pesticides still permitted in India. Several agrochemicals that have been banned or heavily restricted in other countries due to concerns over cancer, neurological disorders and environmental damage continue to be used domestically. The paraquat decision may prompt regulators to reassess those approvals.
As the notification is still in draft form, stakeholders have 30 days from July 13, 2026, to submit objections and suggestions before the final order is issued.
India Today Digital and its sister platform Kisan Tak have previously highlighted concerns over the widespread use of harmful pesticides and chemical fertilisers, including paraquat.
One of the world's deadliest herbicides
Paraquat is regarded as one of the most dangerous herbicides in use because there is no specific antidote for poisoning. Even small amounts can prove fatal.
Once ingested or absorbed, paraquat primarily attacks the lungs, causing irreversible fibrosis that severely impairs breathing. It can also damage the kidneys, liver, skin and eyes.
As treatment is largely supportive rather than curative, poisoning from paraquat carries an exceptionally high mortality rate.
Farmers and agricultural workers face the greatest risk, with poisoning often occurring through accidental ingestion, inhalation of spray droplets or prolonged skin exposure, particularly through open wounds.
These risks have led more than 70 countries—including members of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and China—to ban or phase out its use.
India's latest attempt
This is not the first time India has sought to restrict paraquat.
States such as Kerala and Andhra Pradesh had previously imposed restrictions on its use, although several state-level measures faced legal or administrative challenges.
The Centre has also reviewed the herbicide on multiple occasions through expert committees and regulatory assessments.
Following recommendations from a government-appointed expert panel and the Registration Committee, the Agriculture Ministry has now issued a draft notification proposing a nationwide ban.
Unlike previous state-specific restrictions, the proposed order would apply uniformly across the country.
What happens next?
Once the final notification is issued, the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of paraquat will become illegal throughout India.
All registration certificates issued for paraquat-based formulations will be cancelled.
Manufacturers and dealers holding valid registrations will be required to surrender their certificates to the Registration Committee within three months. Failure to do so could invite legal and penal action.
State governments have also been authorised to enforce the ban through inspections and action against violators.
Officially, paraquat was approved for use on only nine crops in India—tea, potato, cotton, rubber, coffee, paddy, maize, wheat and grapes.
However, reports have indicated widespread misuse beyond these approved applications. In states including Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, farmers have allegedly sprayed paraquat on standing moong (green gram) crops shortly before harvest to accelerate drying and reduce labour costs. Such off-label use raised concerns about pesticide residues entering the food chain.
According to Kisan Tak, the government has identified this widespread misuse as one of the primary reasons for proposing a complete ban.
A broader review of pesticides?
Paraquat is unlikely to be the last pesticide to face regulatory scrutiny.
Several other agrochemicals still approved in India have already been banned or heavily restricted elsewhere because of concerns related to cancer, neurotoxicity, reproductive health and environmental damage.
Chemicals linked to the rejection of Indian agricultural exports in European markets continue to be used domestically despite being prohibited abroad.
Among the pesticides that continue to attract regulatory attention are glyphosate, 2,4-D, dimethoate and acephate, all of which have faced varying levels of restrictions or bans in several countries.
While the proposed ban on paraquat does not automatically determine the future of these chemicals, it suggests that Indian regulators are becoming increasingly willing to revisit older approvals in light of evolving scientific evidence, patterns of misuse and public health concerns.
Once the consultation process concludes and the notification is finalised, India will join the growing list of countries that have concluded the risks associated with paraquat outweigh its agricultural benefits. The decision may also mark the beginning of a wider reassessment of hazardous pesticides still in use.
