Maarg Manthan · Topic 11.1

Genetically Modified Plants and Pest-Resistant Crop Technologies

Science & Technology › Biotechnology – Applications · Topic 11.1

Genetically modified plants are crops whose DNA has been changed by genetic engineering, usually by adding a gene from another organism, to give a trait such as insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, virus resistance or better nutrition. The best known pest-resistant crop is Bt cotton, which carries a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis that makes the Cry protein, a toxin that kills the larvae of bollworms but is harmless to most other animals. Bt cotton was approved for commercial growing in India in 2002 and is still the only genetically modified crop grown commercially in the country. Genetically modified crops are regulated in India by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the debate on food crops such as Bt brinjal and genetically modified mustard continues.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Biotechnology – Applications

At a Glance

Gene source Bacillus thuringiensis
Protein Cry toxin
Only GM crop grown in India Bt cotton, 2002
Moratorium Bt brinjal, 2010
Regulator GEAC
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Biotechnology – Applications

Where Does It Fit?

This is the first topic of the macro on applications of biotechnology. It applies the genetic engineering tools of the previous macro to the most visible area, crop improvement. Previous topic: Diagnostics in Developing Countries. Next topic: Genetically Modified Animals and Transgenic Animal Techniques.

Which GM Traits and Crops Matter?

Trait or crop	Details
Insect resistance (Bt)	Cry genes from Bacillus thuringiensis make proteins that break open the gut of certain larvae. Bt cotton protects against bollworms
Herbicide tolerance	Crops carry a gene that makes them tolerant to a weedkiller such as glyphosate, so weeds can be sprayed without harming the crop
Virus resistance	Papaya resistant to the ringspot virus saved the Hawaiian papaya industry
Golden Rice	Rice with genes for beta carotene, to fight vitamin A deficiency
Bt brinjal	Approved by GEAC in 2009 and put under an indefinite moratorium in February 2010 by the Environment Minister
GM mustard (DMH-11)	A hybrid with a barnase and barstar system and a bar gene for herbicide tolerance, developed at Delhi University. GEAC recommended environmental release in October 2022, and the Supreme Court gave a split verdict in July 2024 and asked for a national policy on GM crops
HTBt cotton	Cotton with a herbicide tolerance gene, grown illegally in parts of India but not approved

What Are the Benefits and Concerns?

Higher yield and lower losses: less damage from pests increases harvest
Less insecticide: Bt cotton reduced sprays against bollworms in the early years
Pink bollworm resistance: the pest has become resistant to some Bt toxins, which reduces benefits and shows the need for resistance management with refuge crops
Seed cost and dependence: GM seeds cost more and farmers buy fresh seed every season, which raises debt worries
Gene flow: pollen may carry the new gene to wild relatives or non-GM crops
Effects on non-target species: studies look at effects on beneficial insects and soil life
Food safety: concerns about allergy and toxicity lead to safety testing before approval
Corporate control: a few companies hold most seed patents, as in Protection of Biotechnological Inventions: Patents, Trade Secrets, Plant Breeders’ Rights

What Else Should You Remember?

How Bt works: the toxin is made as a protoxin, activated in the alkaline gut of the larva, and binds to gut receptors so that the gut wall breaks and the insect dies
Bt cotton in India: introduced as Bollgard in 2002 by Mahyco-Monsanto and now covers the large majority of cotton area. India is among the largest cotton producers
Approval path in India: the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation under the Department of Biotechnology oversees research, GEAC gives approval for large scale use, and the final decision rests with the Environment Ministry. State consent is also needed for field trials
Genome edited crops: in 2022 the Government exempted certain genome edited plants without foreign DNA, called SDN-1 and SDN-2, from the strict GM rules. Two genome edited rice varieties were released in 2025, as in Gene Editing (CRISPR) and Gene Therapy
Food rules: the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regulates genetically modified food, and rules on labelling and approval apply to imports
Global picture: genetically modified crops such as maize, soybean, cotton and canola are grown in many countries, including the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Canada
Cartagena Protocol: a 2000 treaty on safe cross-border movement of living modified organisms, as in Biosafety Protocols
Refuge strategy: planting some non-Bt plants near Bt fields slows the evolution of resistant pests
Integrated pest management: GM traits work best along with crop rotation, natural enemies and good field practice
Public acceptance: trust depends on independent testing, open data and labelling, as in Public Acceptance and Safety of New Biotechnology Foods
Biosafety law: the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989 apply
Trade angle: exports to markets that restrict GM material need segregation and testing

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Bt cotton facts: year, gene source, only commercial GM crop
Regulation: GEAC, RCGM, MoEFCC
Controversies: Bt brinjal moratorium and GM mustard
Current affairs link: Supreme Court direction on GM policy and genome edited crops
Common errors: saying that Bt brinjal is grown in India, or that Bt cotton is a food crop

As an analytical point, the GM debate is about both science and trust. A transparent national policy, independent trials and strong support for farmers can resolve disputes better than prolonged court battles.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Facts Bt cotton and GEAC
Debate Brinjal and mustard
Policy National GM policy

What Came Next?

The next topic covers genetically modified animals and transgenic animal techniques. Next topic: Genetically Modified Animals and Transgenic Animal Techniques.

Key People and Terms

Bt Bacillus thuringiensis
Cry protein Insect toxin
Transgene Inserted foreign gene
Refuge Non-Bt plants for resistance control
GEAC Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
Moratorium Suspension of release

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Bt cotton approved: 2002.
Bt brinjal moratorium: 2010.
Cry protein targets larvae.
GM mustard: DMH-11.
Regulator: GEAC under MoEFCC.

Do Not Confuse With

Bt cotton and Bt brinjal Approved crop versus moratorium food crop
GM and genome edited crops Foreign gene added versus targeted edit without foreign DNA
Herbicide tolerant and insect resistant crops Weed control versus pest control

Memory Hook

Bt for bollworm, brinjal on hold, mustard in court; GEAC decides, farmers want a say.

Mains Angle

Questions ask about benefits, risks and the regulatory position. These points give balance.

Benefits Yield and fewer sprays
Risks Resistance and seed control
Policy Transparent approval

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Discuss the benefits and concerns of genetically modified crops in India and suggest a way forward for their regulation.”

How to Answer

Status Only Bt cotton.
Benefits Yield, fewer sprays.
Concerns Resistance, seed, safety.
Way National policy, trials.

GS Relevance

Prelims: Bt cotton, Cry protein, GM crops in India, regulators. GS Paper 3: science and technology, agriculture, biotechnology and biosafety.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bt cotton?

Bt cotton is a genetically modified cotton that carries a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. The gene makes a Cry protein that kills bollworm larvae feeding on the plant. India approved it for commercial growing in 2002, and it remains the only genetically modified crop grown commercially in the country.

Which body approves GM crops in India?

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change appraises and approves the large scale use and environmental release of genetically modified crops. Research is overseen by the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation of the Department of Biotechnology, and the final decision lies with the Environment Ministry.

Why was Bt brinjal put on hold?

Bt brinjal was recommended for release by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee in 2009, but in February 2010 the Environment Minister announced an indefinite moratorium after public consultations. The decision cited concerns about safety, gaps in independent testing, effects on biodiversity and the lack of public consensus on a food crop.

What is the issue with GM mustard?

Genetically modified mustard hybrid DMH-11 was developed at Delhi University. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee recommended its environmental release in October 2022, but legal challenges followed, and in July 2024 the Supreme Court gave a split verdict and asked the Government to frame a national policy on genetically modified crops.

What is pink bollworm resistance?

Pink bollworm resistance means that populations of this cotton pest have evolved to survive the toxins in Bt cotton. It has been reported in several Indian cotton regions and reduces the benefit of the technology, which is why refuge planting, integrated pest management and new traits are needed.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 Bt cotton is the only genetically modified crop grown commercially in India.

True

Approved in 2002.

2 The Cry protein is toxic to the larvae of certain insects.

True

From Bacillus thuringiensis.

3 Bt brinjal is widely grown commercially in India.

False

A moratorium was imposed in 2010.

4 The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee functions under the Ministry of Agriculture.