Prior to the 2022 amendment, a person desirous of undertaking pest control operations was mandatorily required to be a graduate in Agriculture or in Science.

“The lower portion of the square referred to in sub-rule (3) shall contain the color specified in column (8) of the table below, depending on the classification of the insecticides specified in the corresponding entry in column (2) of the said table.”

Before the amendment, a person was required to possess the “masters’ degree in chemistry with a Doctorate or a graduate degree in Chemical Engineering for manufacture of technical grade pesticides or a graduate degree in Agriculture Science with Chemistry for manufacture of pesticide formulation.”[3]

“(i) Doctorate in Chemistry or Agriculture Chemistry or Agriculture Chemicals or Master of Technology or Master of Science in Chemical Engineering or equivalent for manufacture of technical grade insecticides.

(ii) Graduate degree in Agriculture or Science with Chemistry as one of the subjects for manufacture of insecticides formulations.”

Moreover, the period prescribed to a licensee to comply with the education qualifications  was extended from 2 years to 4 years.

(a) Unique Identifier or GTIN;

(b)Batch Number;
(c) Date of Manufacturing;
(d) Date of Expiry;

(e) Web link or URL.”

“(i) No registration certificate holder shall use a label of leaflet, which is not in accordance with the provisions of the Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023, after a period of nine months from the date of commencement of the Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023.”

“Provided that for ultra-small packs, the dimensions of the said square shall be not less than 2.25 square centimeters (1.5cm x1.5 cm).”

Rule 6B

Rs. 2500/- shall be paid in case of registration of insecticides under section 9(4) of the Insecticides Act, 1968.

Under clause (ii), Fee was increased to Rs. 25,000/- for an application relating to chemical insecticides for registration under section 9(4) of the Insecticides Act, 1968.

A table was inserted providing for the fee payable for registration against addition, deletion or alteration etc. on the certificate of Registration including labels and leaflets and other related activities.

Notification no. G.S.R. 921(E) dated 28.12.2023.

“(a.) For the words “Indian Grain Storage Institute, Hapur and National Plant Protection Training Institute, Hyderabad” the words “Indian Grain Storage Management and Research Institute, Hapur and National Institute of Plant Health Management, Hyderabad;” shall be substituted.”

“(b.)Provided that any person who apply for grant of license for the pest control operations, using only glyphosate and its derivatives for such operations, as prescribed shall undergo a training programme, meant exclusively for glyphosate usage, from any of the following institutions –

a.   any state agricultural university or

b.   Krishi, Vigyan, Kendra or

c.   National Institute of plant health management, Hyderabad or

d.   State agricultural management and extension training Institute or

e.   Central or state agricultural research Institute or

f.    Any other government recognized university or institute or

g.   Central or regional integrated pest management Centre (CIPMC)

with NIPHM as the implementing nodal agency for curriculum and monitoring of the training programme.”

Vide Notification dated 28th December 2023, another notification was made providing for the applicant to have passed Class 12th or Higher Secondary Certificate Exam from a recognized Board or University.

It is further provided therein that in the event that a deceased retailer or dealer's family member lacks the qualifications outlined in rule 10, they may obtain a provisional license transfer for a maximum of one year. This provisional transfer allows them time to complete a certificate course in insecticide management. The provisional license will expire after one year or upon successful completion of the course, whichever comes first. During this period, the family member can hire someone who possesses the required educational qualifications as specified in rule 10..

Notification No. G.S.R. G.S.R. 645(E) dated 01.09.2023

“Any person who applied for grant of license for undertaking pest control operations should be at least a graduate in Agriculture or in Science with Chemistry as a subject with a certificate of minimum 15 days training from any of the following Institutions-Central Good Technological Research Institute, Mysore; Indian Grain Storage Institute, Hapur and National Plant Protection Training Institute, Hyderabad.”

“For the words “Indian Grain Storage Institute, Hapur and National Plant Protection Training Institute, Hyderabad” shall be substituted by the words “ Indian Grain Storage Management & Research Institute, Hapur and National Institute of Plant Health Management, Hyderabad, respectively ”.

In sub-clause (iii), following shall be inserted:

“Provided that any person who apply for grant of license for the Pest Control Operations using only Glyphosate and its derivatives for such operations as prescribed shall undergo a training programme, meant exclusively for Glyphosate usage, from any of the following Institutions, namely –

(i)             any State Agricultural University,

(ii)           Krishi Vigyan Kendra

(iii)         National Institute of Plant Health Management, Hyderabad

(iv)          State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute

(v)            Central or State Agricultural Research Institute

(vi)          any other Government recognized university or institute

(vii)        Central or Regional Integrated Pest Management Center (CIPMC)

with NIPHM as the implementing nodal agency for course curriculum and monitoring of the training programme.”

After the first proviso, it is to be inserted that to obtain a license for pest control operations using only Glyphosate and its derivatives, applicants must possess a minimum educational qualification of a 12th Standard/Higher Secondary Certificate examination or its equivalent from a recognized Board or University. Additionally, they must complete a training program specifically designed for Glyphosate usage offered by one of the prescribed institutes.

“Provided that a person who applies for grant of licence to undertake pest control operations with the use of Glyphosate and its derivatives shall be deemed to have granted a licence if the licensing officer did not grant him licence after expiry of a period of thirty days from the date of submission of his application.

Provided also that the person shall apply for licence with a fee of one thousand rupees for all places of operation using glyphosate and its derivatives only.”

“Provided that in case of death of the existing retailer or dealer, the family member of the deceased retailer or dealer, during the currency of the license, may apply for permission to transfer the license in his name subject to the applicability of succession laws and submission of the death certificate of the deceased dealer or retailer before the concerned licensing officer.

Provided also that the family member of the deceased retailer or dealer who is without the prescribed qualification shall undergo the certificate course in insecticides management for transfer of license. The license can be provisionally transferred to the family member for a period of one year or till the family member completes the certificate course in insecticides management, whichever is earlier. During this period the applicant can employ a person with prescribed educational qualifications.”

“(i) no registration certificate holder shall use a label or leaflet, which is not in accordance with the provisions of the Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023, after a period of nine months from the date of commencement of the Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023.”

Rule 10, Sub-rule (1)

Rule 15

Rule 24

Rule 25

Rule 27, Sub-rule (6)

Rule 30

Rule 32

Rule 33

Rule 34

To maintain a record of all inspections made and action taken by him in the performance of his duties including the taking of samples and the seizure of stocks and to submit copies of such record to the licensing officer.

30. Form of order not to dispose of stock - An order by the Insecticide Inspector requiring a person not to dispose of any stock in his possession shall be in [Form XVIII].

32. Form of receipt for seized insecticide.

- A receipt by an Insecticide Inspector for the stock of any insecticide seized shall be in [Form XIX]

33. Form of intimation for purpose of taking samples.

- Where an Inspector takes a sample of an insecticide for the purpose of test or analysis, he shall intimate such purpose in writing in [Form XX] to the person from whom he takes it.

“Application for the grant of a licence to manufacture any insecticide shall be made in digital form [Form II] to the licensing officer and shall be accompanied by a fee of rupees two thousand for every insecticide and a maximum of rupees twenty thousand for all insecticides for which the licence is applied”

Following shall be substituted namely:

“(1) Applications for the grant of a licence to sell, stock or exhibit for sale or distribute insecticides shall be made in digital form [Form II] to the licensing officer and shall be accompanied by the fees specified in sub- rule (2).”

Following shall be substituted accordingly:

“(i) In Sub-rule (2), the word phrase “shall be entered insecticide wise, in a register (either in physical form or digital Form)” shall be substituted by “shall be made insecticide wise in digital form.”

(ii) In Sub-rule (3), the word phrase “(either in physical from or digital Form)” shall be substituted by “in digital form”.

(iii) For Sub-rule (4), following shall be substituted namely :-

“Every manufacturer or importer shall maintain in digital form of such sale, manufacture or import of technical Grade Insecticide and formulated Insecticide and submit the monthly statement or return to the licensing officer, in Appendix D1 to Form III and Appendix D2 to Form III respectively within 15 days from the closing of the month.”

“(i) In sub rule (3), the word “in triplicate” shall be omitted.
(ii) After Sub-rule (3), the following sub-rule (4) shall be inserted;

“(4) The receipt and supply of report as stated in sub-rule (1) and (3) shall be made in digital form.”

After Sub-rule 25(2), following shall be inserted:

“Provided further, the fee may be paid in the digital form.”

Following shall be substituted:

“To maintain digital record of all inspections made and action taken by him in the performance of his duties including the taking of samples and seizure of stocks and to submit such record to the licensing officer.”

Following shall be substituted namely:

“30. Form of order not to dispose of stock.- An order by the Insecticide Inspector requiring a person not to dispose of any stock in his possession shall be in Form V(A) either in physical or digital form.”

Following shall be substituted namely:

“32. Form of receipt for seized insecticide.- A receipt by an Insecticide Inspector for the stock of any insecticide seized shall be in Form V(B) either in physical or digital form.”

Following shall be substituted namely:

“33. Form of intimation for purpose of taking samples.- Where an Inspector takes a sample of an insecticide for the purpose of test or analysis, he shall intimate such purpose in writing in Form V(C) to the person from whom he takes it either in physical or digital form.”

After Sub-rule 34(1) the following proviso shall be inserted:
“Provided form of intimation for test or analysis may be issued in the digital form.”

“Provided further that he must have passed Class 12th or Higher Secondary Certificate Examination from a recognized Board or University.”

“For the figures, letters and word “31st December, 2023” the figures, letters and word “30th June, 2024”